i: 









"a. 















,0* 






»*^r1 



5 ' y"^ 









o > 



o* * * • ^ 




.<■ 






•5- 



'o. . ' 






.0^ 






O > 



'A' 






■^^. 









'V 



<? o;v^;i^V/ ^ 






v3 ' . . s* 

o > 






V 



.^'"-^. 






•J- ' 



o > 



,*^ 






^> •" O M O -^ 



.-^^ 



;- -^ 









^^^ 



■^,. 



,0^ 






^- C* ^/ -r^ qN 



*bv^ 



^-s- 



V 



\ 



"-^^..^ 



< o 






r "V. 






^•^-(^ ^^<,'' "^v*^^^ 



■A 0* 



o > 






^^0^ 























>^ «v^', %/ :>^:' Vo^' =:«£%', %/ 






V 

<^ c ° " "* * *( 






^-^^ ^>m>:. Vo^' ^^'^'^ %/ :^-., ^ %-o^' ='». ^^ov^^ /i^^:-- 



•& 



/■\ 










o 



-o. .• 0^ 'b *'T.«- .^ 







/ 

HISTORY 



OF 



STEELE AND WA^ECi^ COUpTIES, 



MINNESOTA. 



An Album of History and Biography, 

EMBRACiNe Sketches op the Villages, Citles and Townships ; Educational, Civil, Military and 

Political History; Portraits of Prominent Citizens, and Biographies 

OF Old Settlers and Repkesentative Men. 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA, 

Embr.acing an Account op Early ExpjiOpAjTipfjs, Org.anjzation, a Review of its Political 
History, Together with an. Account of. the, Inv-an, fkr-y^hB^K of 1862. 



ILLUSTRATED. 



CHICAGO : 
UJSriON PUBLISHING COMPANY, 

' 1887. 



'01 

1jI()(".kaphy is thk Only True Histoky." — Kniersuii. 






UU.VOHUK & HENNEUEKKY, 

Printers and Binders, 

Chicago. 




«<] PREFACE. I> 

R^-, 5 , c?, (fi^ }- . 2.; 

iN the compilation of this vohime it has been tlie aim of the publishers to prepare a local history, com- 
prising in a single volume of convenient form, a varied fund of information, not only of Interest to the 
present, but for preservation for coming generations, from which future searchers for historic data 
may draw without the tedium incurred in the preparation of this. We have gathered together a vast 
mass of historic facts, and interwoven them with individual sketches of those who have been identi- 
fied with the development of the various localities. That our work is wholly errorless, or that 
nothing of interest has been omitted, is more than we dare to hope, and more than is reasonable to 
expect, but we have spared neither pains nor expense in our efforts to have the work as near perfect 
as it is possible for such a work to be made. The manuscript of the historical portions was care- 
fully submitted to committees of prominent old settlers who were requested to make all changes or additions 
necessary for a complete and correct work. The certificates of these gentlemen will be found on pages 
IV and V. As to the biographical department, equal care was bestowed. The biographical sketches were 
carefully submitted to those whom they concerned and the parties were asked to revise and correct the statements 
and data. In closing our labors, we have the gratifying consciousness of having useii our utmost endeavors in 
securing reliable data, and feel no hesitancy in submitting the result to an intelligent public. The impartial critic, 
to whom only we look for comment, will, in passing judgment upon its merits, be governed by a knowledge of the 
manifold duties attending the prosecution of the undertaking. 

There is always more or less difficulty, even in a historical work, in selecting those things which will interest 
the greatest number of readers. Individual tastes differ so widely, that that which may be of absorbing interest to 
one. has no attractions for another. Some are interested only in that which concerns themselves, and do not care 
to read of even the most thrilling adventures in which they were not participants. Such persons are apt to con- 
clude that what they are not interested in is of no value and its preservation in history a useless expense. In the 
settlement of a new county, or a new township, no one person is entitled to all the credit for what has been accom- 
■ plished, but every individual is a part of the great whole, and all are directly or indirectly connected with each step 
of progress. For this reason it is always a very difficult— if not an impossible— task to measure and express the exact 
meed of praise or commendation due to the individual, and we have, therefore, stated the facts, with "naught set 
down in malice or in praise." 

In conclusion, we desire to express our sincere thanks to county, township and village officials for their uniform 
kindness to us in our tedious labors ; and we must also express our indebtedness to the Press, the Pioneers and 
the Citizens generally, who have extended more than ordinary courtesy and assistance to our employes. 

That our efforts may prove satisfactory, and this volume receive a welcome commensurate with the care and 
labor bestowed upon its preparation, is the earnest desire of the compilers. 

UNION PUBLISHING COMPANY. 



Certificates from Old Settlers in Steele County. 



Following will be found copies of the certificates from the various committees of old settlers, who revised, 
corrected and approved the manuscript of the History of Steele County, viz: 

Revision of General Csuntt Chapters. 

We, the undersigned, members of the general committee selected to revise and correct the general chapters of 
the History of Steele County, compiled by the Union Publishing Company, do hereby certify that the manuscript 
was duly submitted to us, and further that we revised and corrected the same, making all the changes and addi- 
tions we deemed necessary; and, as corrected, we hereby approve of the same as being correct and complete to the 
best of our judgment and recollection. 



[Signed. 



Nathaniel Winship, 
Amos Coggswei.i., 

W. R. KiNTON, 

E. M. Morehouse, M. D., 
D. Lindersmith, 
Orlando Johnson, 

Oeneral Cmiimittee. 



Revision op City and Township Chapters. 



We, the undersigned, members of the various committees selected to revise and correct the history of [our 
respective city or] township, for the Union Publishing Company's History of Steele County, do hereby certify 
that the manuscript of [our respective city, village or] township history was duly submitted to us, and further 
that we revised and corrected the same, making all the changes and additions we deemed necessary; and, as cor- 
rected, we hereby approve of the same as being correct and complete to the best of our judgment and recollection. 



[Signed.] 



A. Wilson, 
Paul Williams, 
Lewmon G. Reed, 

Merton TmDiuMp. 
A. W. Adams, 
W. W. Arnold, 
John Virtue, 

Clinton Falls Township. 
John O. Wcamett, 
John H. Wilker, 

MeritUn Tmenship. 
William Ellis, 
John Adair, 

Havanmi Township. 

S. M. Kinney, 

Lemond Township. 

Philo Sawyer, 

T. K. Brown, 

Berlin Township. 

J. W. Smith, 
Wm. Coolby, 

Summit Township. 

Charles Adsit, 
John Bixby, 

Aurora Township. 



W. W. WiLKINS, 

G. O. Hankerson, 
S. M. Freem.\n, 

Medford Tawnship. 

James F. Brady, 
Christian Reineke, 

Deerfleld Township. 

Alson Selleck, 
G. W. Morfokd, 

Owatonna Township. 

W. R. Kin YON, 

A. N. Stoughton, 

N. Winship, 

Mrs. E. p. Winship, 

Owatonnii City. 

Jesse Healey, 
Dexter Smith, 
Levi Bailey, 

So7nerset TownsJiip. 

Thomas Peeney, 
Charles E. Hancock, 

Blooming Prairie. 



CERTIFICATES FROM OLD SETTLERS IN WASECA COUNTY. 



In this connection we publish the certificates from the various committees of old settlers who revised, cor- 
rected and approved the manuscript of the History of Waseca County, viz: 

Kevision op General County Chapters. 

We, the undersigned, members of the general committee selected to revise and correct the general chapters of 
the History of Waseca County, compiled by the Union Publishing Company, do hereby certify that the manuscript 
was duly submitted to us, and further that we revised and corrected the same, making all the changes and addi- 
tions we deemed necessary; and, as corrected, we hereby approve of the same as being correct and complete to 
the best of our judgment and recollection. 

[Signed.] 

H. P. Norton, 
James E. Child, 
g. r. buckman, 
H. K. Stearns, 

Oenerai Committee. 

Revision of City and Township Chapters. 



We, the undersigned, members of the various committees selected to revise and correct the history of [our 
respective city or] township for the History of Waseca County compiled by the Union Publishing Company, do 
hereby certify that the manuscript of [our respective city or] township was duly submitted to us, and further that 
we revised and corrected the same, making all the changes and additions we deemed necessary ; and, as corrected, 
we hereby approve of the same as being complete and correct to the best of our recollection and Judgment. 



[Signed.] 



William H. H. Jackson, 
Christian Remund, 

Blooming Grove Township. 

H. P. Chamberlain, 
David Wood, 

Iosco Township. 

M. McGONAGLE, 

D. A. Erwin, 

St. Mary Township. 

M. H. Lamb, 
William Burke, 

Alton Tow7iship. 

F. D. Seaman, 
George Hopeld, 

Freedom Tow nsh ip . 

H. K. Stearns, 
A. J. Newgard, 
Christoph Wagner, 
C. A. Wagner, 
M. Murphy, 
H. H. Corson, 

JVew Richland Village. 



Ira C. Trowbridge, 
P. C. Bailey, 

Waseca, City. 
E. G. Wood, 
O. Powell, 

Woodmlle Township. 
William Brisbane, 
M. F. Connor, 

Wilton Township. 
Omer H. Sutlipf, 

Byron Township. 
Anthony Sampson, 
E. E. Verplank, 

Neto Richland Township. 
J. B. Hill, 
William H. H.\rmon, 

Vivian Township. 

J. W. HOSMER, 

W. G. Allyn, 
James Cummins, 

Jantsville. 
E. B. Stearns, 
J. S. Abell, 

Otisco Totcnship. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STEELE COUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 

PA«E 

Introductory 17 

CHAPTER 11. 

Location, TopoouApnY and GEoLcxiV 19 

Location 19 

Topography 19 

Geology 19 

CHAPTER in. 

Early Days 31 

Early Settlement 21 

First Events 22 

Disadvantages 22 

Stage and Mail Routes 23 

CHAPTER IV. 

Organization, County Lines, County Name 25 

CHAPTER V. 

County Government 29 

Board of Commissioners 29 

Board of Supervisors 31 

Commissioners again 32 

From 1855 to 1887 35 

CHAPTER VI. 

Creation of Townships 



36 



CHAPTER VII. 



Various Ofkicial Matters 39 

First Instruments Recorded 39 

Increase of Population 39 

Values in 1861 40 

Values from 1861 to 1886 40 

Present Values 40 

Crop Statistics 41 

Educat ional Matters 41 

Early Marriage Licenses 41 

CHAPTER VIII. 

National and State Representation 43 

Congressional 43 

Legislative 47 

CHAPTER IX. 

County Officials 55 

Register of Deeds 55 

County Treasurer 57 

County Auditor 58 

Sheriff 59 

Superintendent 61 

Judge of Probate 61 

Clerk of Court 62 

County Attorney 63 

Surveyor 63 

Coroner 65 

Court Commissioner 65 



CHAPTER X. 



Politicai 

Abstract of Vote 1855-87. 



66 
66 



CHAPTER XI. 

Courts .\nd Cases 80 

Interesting Trials 80 

District Judges 93 

Bar of Steele County 93 

CHAPTER XII. 

The Press 103 

Watchman and Register 105 

Medford Valley Argus 105 

Oveatonna Journal 105 

News Letter 106 

Owatonna Representative 106 

Owatonna Register 106 

Owatonna Democrat 106 

Vidette 106 

Owatonna Plaindealer 106 

Republican Journal 106 

Owatonna Jovirnal 106 

Journal and Herald 108 

People's Press 109 

Our Pastime HI 

Weekly Review 112 

Morning Star 112 

Daily Herald 112 

Steele County Herald 112 

Other Publications 112 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Railroads 113 

Railway Agitation 113 

Railway Building 114 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The War 116 

Its Causes 116 

Steele County in the War 120 

List of Soldiers 124 

CHAPTER XV. 

Reminiscences 127 

By A. B. Cornell 127 

By G. W. Green 130 

Polities in 1857 135 

County Matters in 1860 136 

Crops 138 

Whiskey in the Gutter 138 

Vigilance Committee 138 

From Article in 1874 138 

Stage Business 142 

The Abbotts 142 

By Rev. Wm. Thomson i 143 

By C. B. Pettie 399 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Historical Events 148 

Chronology 148 

CHAPTER XVII. 

The City ok Owatonna 177 

Location ^'^^ 

The Beginning 178 

Business men in 1868 182 



TABLK i)F CONTENTS OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Business Development 183 

Banking 186 

Manufacturing 189 

Packing Company 195 

Hotels 195 

Present Business 201 

City Government 302 

Fire Department 208 

Schools 210 

Postofflce 210 

Free and Accepted Masons 210 

Independent Order of Odd Fellows 217 

Grand Army of tlie Republic 323 

Other Organizations 335 

Religious Matters 337 

First Events 340 

Business Men and Retired Citizens 340 

CHAPTER XVni. 

PiLLSBURY Academy 268 

State Public School 274 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Meuton Township 280 

CHAPTER XX. 

Medford Township 293 

Medford Village 303 

CHAPTER XXI. 

Clinton Falls Township 310 

Clinton Falls Village 311 



CHAPTER XXII. 
Debrfield Township 321 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
Meriden Township 337 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
Owatonna Township 334 

CHAPTER XXV. 
Havanna Township 343 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
Aurora Township 349 

CHAPTER XXVII. 
SOiMEKSET Township 358 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 
Le.mond Township 369 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Berlin Township 379 

CHAPTER XXX. 

Summit Township 385 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

Blooming Prairie Township 390 

Blooming Prairie Village 401 



\ 



y 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



PAGE 

Abbott, A. J 316 

Abbott, Ezra 142 

Abbott, J. H 143 

Abernethy, 359 

Adair, John 344 

Adsit. Charles 350 

Adair, Dr. .1. H 301 

Adams, D. C 361 

Adams, A. "W 313 

Ahrens, Fred 347 

Albertu.s, G. F 343 

Albro, F. D 198 

Alexander, M. S 253 

Allen, William 393 

Andrews, Thomas 338 

Andrews, Robert 339 

Anderson, Andrew 346 

Annett, Thomas 375 

Armstrone, A 48 

Arnold, W. W 314 

Austin, J. S 261 

Baily, John 308 

Bailey, Levi 360 

Backus, J. D 339 

Backus, J. C 359 

Barncard, J. Z 253 

Barney, John 307 

Bauter, F. JI 353 

Bartsch, John 198 

Beaumont, R 340 

Bennett, Dr. L. L 188 

Belina, Anton 264 



PAGE 

Belina, Joseph 341 

Bixby, L 64 

Bixby, John 350 

Bixby, J. S 350 

Bion, L 192 

Bigelow, Dr. E. E 200 

Birkett, Henry 343 

Bissell, W. P 306 

Bingham, H. D 381 

Bliss, Philo 363 

Blythe, John 390 

Blythe, Eliza J 390 

Boll, Fridolin 353 

Bower, Charles 355 

Boynton, D 300 

Bosshard, G 331 

Brooks, E. W 191 

Brown, Rev. J. N 336 

Brennan, P 261 

Bry.son, Andrew 261 

Brady, J. .F 333 

Bragg, A. S 370 

Bray, Thomas 393 

Bray, Agnes 393 

Bryant, E. C 376 

Brown, C. V 380 

Brown, Thom.as 380 

Buffum, Hon. G. W 53 

Burke. J. C 59 

Burlingame, Hon. J. M 96 

Burdick, 0. W 191 

Buxton, J. E 250 

Burdick. W. H 254 



page 

Busho, Julius 324 

Bucklin, J. K 325 

Burch, Maj. J. W 363 

Cansdell, J. A ,58 

Caward, G. W 353 

Carlton, Dexter 385 

Carter, George 315 

Carter, John T 315 

Ca.ssidy, H. J 353 

Chadwick, M. B 100 

Chesley, G. W 346 

Chapin, R. H 

Chapin, B. P 348 

Cheeseraan, Richard 318 

Cheeseman, Heurv 318 

Christenson, H. N 347 

Chambers. John 357 

Chambers, G. L 345 

Chambers, Theo 383 

Cheeney, N 379 

Clark, George 2.52 

Clark. A. B 394 

Colquhoun, Hon. A. . 394 

Coolev. William .385 

Cotter, J. A 63 

Cotter, James 346 

Cottier, John 251 

Coggswell, Hon. Amos 96 

Conner, J. W 243 

Cook, Hon. B. S 245 

Cory, J. S 300 

Coggins, Ed 387 



TABLE OF CONTENTS f)F STEELE COUNTY. 



PAGE 

Colling, W. K 294 

Crocker, J. B 51 

Crocker, E. B 51 

Crawhuck Bros 356 

Crandall, Hon. C. S 240 

Curtis, G. H 353 

Davis, Hon. P. B 51 

Davidson, William 246 

Dalley, M. A 94 

Danforth, G. W 55 

Darby, Benj. E Ill 

Darmody, Edward 386 

Deutschmann, Frederick 251 

Deininger, R 256 

Degner, G. W 340 

Degner, P. E 364 

Deeg, John 195 

Dies, A 396 

Donaldson, Hon. N. M 93 

Drebert, P. T 108 

Drum. W. P 62 

Dunnell, Hon. M. IT 44 

Dunton, H. A 396 

Dunton, John 396 

Dutton, N. L 397 

Dugan, James 397 

Dugan, Michael 408 

Dynes, W. A 253 

Easton, Hon. E 51 

Eastman, D. T 298 

Eastman, 317 

Edson, O. E 189 

Eggleston, W. A 285 

Eisert, Rudolph 323 

Elton, Ole 198 

Ellis, William 344 

Ellis, W. J 344 

Ellis, W. R 382 

Ellickson, E. A 377 

Engbard, Conrad 345 

Engel, W. G 198 

Erdmann, Andrew 346 

Erdman, Mrs. Anna 346 

Pallon, Patrick 396 

PalloD, Michael 396 

Pedder, Thee 267 

Pehmer, William 324 

Feeney, Thomas 404 

Pinch, Dr. W.W 57 

Pinch, J. M 315 

Pinch, Hon. H. A 381 

Finch, Cyrus 316L 

Finch, Pyler D 316 1 

Forsythe, G. L 251 

Fredenburg, Hon. M. A 259 

Francis, W. P 305 

Freeman, S. M 306 

Freeman, C 308 

Frazer, T. H 342 

Gabriel, George 352 

yfQanser, P. 192 

■^"Gausewitz, Wm 252 

Gault, Alex 308 

Gallea, William 317 

Gardner, C. W 379 

Gillman, H. C 399 

Gillman, S 306 

Gibson, William 299 

Gillett, J. W 356 

Glaeser, Jacob 264 

Gordon, Joseph 379 



PAGE 

Gould, L. B 372 

Goolsby, William 386 

Greely , Orrin 191 

Green, Hon. G. W 93 

Greene, S. S 254 

Griffin, T. H 317 

Grandprey, Joseph 329 

Grunz, August 332 

Gross, Gilbert 361 

Gross, Cscar 361 

Graif, John J 363 

Gutterson, A. C 188 

Guthrie, M 403 

Hazen. Hon. L 62 

Harwood, A. A 95 

Hadley, C. W 100 

Hastings, Hon. II. M 189 

Harrington, Dr. J. L 201 

Hatch, Dr. T. L 200 

Hanson, N. W 251 

Hansen, A. M 291 

Hammel, J. N 254 

Hankerson, G. 297 

Hayes, William 298 

Hamilton, John 300 

Hartle, Henry 347 

Harris, Jacob J 362 

Halm, Elias 365 

Hastings, G. W 372 

Hayes, Scott 387 

Hancock, C. E 395 

Heath, Isaac 298 

llealey, Jesse 360 

Hemingway, A 387 

Hickman, Hon. A. C 99 

Hill, W. H 356 

Howe, Hon. T.J 191 

Holmes, H. A 192 

Holden, J. D 255 

Holden, G. D 255 

Hosfield, G. B 303 

Hodg.son, H 334 

Hoffman, August 325 

House, Lysander 327 

House, David 328 

Hobbins, W. P 330 

Hunkins, D. C 351 

Hunter, George 38'1 

Ingerson, A 64 

Ingersoll, A, D 101 

lugraham. Prof. J. I- 373 

Inman, L. L 348 

lunker, William 342 

Jensen, George 403 

Johnson. Hon. H. H 100 

.Johnson, R. H 100 

Johnson, Orlando 305 

.Tohnson , Smith 305 

Johnson, Agrim 344 

Johnson, Christian 354 

Johnson, Nels 397 

Johnson, Dr. J. P 407 

.Tones,A. R 339 

.Jones, O. M 345 

.Jones, W. M 345 

Jones. Isaac 346 

Katz, A. J 3.-)0 

Ivaplan, J. W 339 

Kaplan, Joseph 339 

Kabage. Julius 364 

Kelley, J. N 63 



PAGE 

Kenyon, Dr. Thomas 363 

Kenyon, T. E 386 

Keenan, M. J 408 

Kinney, S. M 370 

Kinyon, Hon. W. R 187 

Kinyon. C. J 187 

Kinyon, G. R 187 

Kinyon. G. W 341 

King, Corydon 351 

Klein, Rev. P. W 339 

Knobloch, Adolph 241 

Knickerbocker, W. R 366 

Knowlton, C. R 370 

Knudson, Nels 375 

Kruckerberg, Fred 351 

Kubat, Joseph 267 

Kubat Samuel 340 

Ku jawa. Thomas 331 

Kuckenbecker, Edward 367 

Lane, John 385 

Lane, Dexter 388 

Lane. Capt. L. H 289 

Laughlin, J. H 290 

Lamson, H 323 

Lamson, Henry H 333 

Langerher, Henry 344 

Larson, Villars. .'. 367 

Larson. Lars 375 

Lewis, H. J .56 

Lee, Orrin 308 

Lenuon, J. G 403 

Lieb, W. C 353 

Lilly, Mrs. Margretta 322 

Lindersmith, David 314 

Lindersmith, Orlando 315 

Luce, H. F 255 

Lynch, P 289 

Mallinger, Peter 262 

Martin, W. E 386 

Maw. Henry 387 

Maw, Henry, Jr 388 

Markson, Hans 347 

Mayo, Asaph 405 

McLaughlin, Hon. C. N 190 

McAndrews, M. A 198 

McDonald, R. A 385 

McDonald. Alex 299 

McKinlay, D. A 300 

McVicker, C. W 332 

McCrady. Peter 353 

McNitt, Sylvester - . 257 

McDaniels, J. H 395 

McDaniels, Frank 395 

McLoud. Jonas G 353 

Melvin, B. F 57 

Meek, Bazil 61 

Medd, Dr. T. R 254 

Merrill, Prof. G. A 279 

Merrill, G. L 291 

Mitchell, A. M 64 

Mitchell, George 263 

Miner, W. H 299 

Morehouse, Dr. E. JI 199 

Morford, G. W 339 

Morford. J. W 57 

Morris, Walter 56 

Moore, Z. B 58 

Moore, H. R.,.Jr 242 

Mork, William 251 

Moon, G. C 307 

Morley, J, R 342 

Morton, Thomas 407 



TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STEELE COUNTY. 



PAGE 

Morton, Edwaril 404 

Montgomery, W. H 263 

Murray, Hon. Hugh 60 

Mussman, Fred 344 

Murphy, Oscar 371 

/ Muller Henry 376 

•-• Murray, Rev. D. L 406 

Naylor, Edward 381 

Newsalt, Jacob 250 

Nelson, Fred 398 

Northup, B. M 392 

Nordeen, P. J 95 

Ogle. Rev. .J. C 231 

Olson, Peter 376 

Olson, Hans 376 

Olson, Ole 383 

Olson, Anton 404 

Oppliger, J. A 241 

Ost, Fred 365 

Oulton, George 63 

Park, J. W 55 

Patterson, S. H 60 

Parrott, George 341 

Peterson, Soren 58 

Peterson, Christian 353 

Peterson, Lars 353 

Peterson, Peter (Owatonna). . . . 364 

Peterson, C. (Somerset) 365 

Peterson, Peter 398 

Pettie, C. B 344 

Pettie, Hon. G. C 353 

Peachey, G. W 198 

Pettit, W. F ,59 

Piper, E. W 345 

Piper, D. S 307 

Pichner, John 339 

Pitcher, Hiram 379 

Pollock, O. W 63 

Pratt, Hon. M. B 308 

Pratt, William A 363 

Purfeest, Herman 386 

Quiggle, M. S 350 

Radke, Carl 331 

Reed, Levrmon G 381 

Reineke, Chri.sl ian 333 

Reynolds. R. II 380 

Reineke, Conrad 331 

Reiter. Lewis 331 

Richter, E. W 100 

Ribstein, F 290 

Ring, Samuel 398 

Ring, Eugene 398 

Ring, Joseph 398 

Ribibe, Henry 376 

Rossbach. Dr. G. .\ 300 

Roberts, Dr. D. H 300 

Rosebrock, Hon. H. H 351 

Rosskopf , Fred 256 



PAGE 

Rosenau, Herman 330 

Ross, Amos 372 

Rulliffson, H. W 51 

Ryan M 364 

Ryan, John 387 

Sanborn, David 57 

Sanborn, John 293 

Sawyer, D. P 388 

Sawyer, J. A 100 

Sawyer, W. F 101 

Sawyer, Philo 380 

Sander, H. P. G 363 

Sanders, E. B 341 

Sannemann, William 367 

Sahler, W. J 343 

Schuman. F. G 191 

Schoen, Charles 195 

Schafer, Hon. N. J 195 

Scholljegerdes, John 377 

Searl, Dr. A. C 354 

Seely, N. G 333 

Selleck, Alson 336 

Sette,Fred 365 

Sheldon, C. E 190 

Sheldon, T. R 383 

Shaw, G. W 354 

Shea, John 349 

Shea, William 379 

Simpson, Adam 190 

Sloan, Hon. J. M 53 

Sloan, George E 56 

Smith, S. B'. 55 

Smith, C, P 356 

Smith, Edward 388 

Smith. J. B 381 

Smith, William 377 

Smith, Dexter 361 

Smith, J. W (Summit) 386 

Smith, James W 397 

Smith, A. P 398 

Smith, T. C 398 

Soper, J. A 108 

Solnce, Rev. J. M 338 

Soukup. J. H 343 

Sperry, W. A 99 

Sperry, D. W 246 

Spinney. Rev. W. A 234 

Stockwell. Thomas 383 

Stendel, Hcnrv 333 

Stange, Fred 366 

Storer, Gardner 367 

Stevens. lion. F. J 47 

Stoughton, A. N 59 

Strong, G. W 392 

Synskov, P. J 348 

Taylor, E. P 286 

Tennis, A. C 387v, 

Thompson, Thos 58 

Thomson, Rev. William 143 

Thomp.son, Andrew 345 

Thom, Francis 340 



Thorn, R. C 340 

Thomas, Rev. O. A 311 

Thon, John 241 

Thon, J. P 241 

Thorn, James 95 

Theimer, Emil 264 

Thamert, F. L 348 

Thim.sen, P. P 396 

Titus, Anson 341 

Town, A 263 

Travis, J. N 360 

Trowe, F. J 380 

Tryon, (; 197 

Trotman, William 408 

Tuttle, P. J 291 

Turk, John L 364 

Twiford, Dr. W. H 48 

Twiford, E. M 246 

Tyler, Ezra 56 

Virtue, John 316 

Von Ruden, Joseph 346 

Warner, C. F 343 ' 

Washburn, Rev. R 363 

Wagner, William 346 

Warren, Stewart 300 

Wardwell, H. E 357 

Wacker. Henry 347 

Webb. Merritt 399 

White, Hon. Milo 46 

AVheaton, Willard 60 

Wheelock, Hon. L. L 98 

Whitman, M. D 366 

Willsey, W. H 189 

Winship, N 197 

Win.ship, J. E 357 

Wilson, A 383 

Wilson, Charles 282 

Wilson, W. H 288 

Williams, Thomas 290 

Wilkins, Hon. W. W 297 

Wilker, John H 328 

Williams, Hon. S. B 341 

Wiggins, W. A 341 

Widrick, John 346 

Wiudoni, Hon. Wni 43 

Wilkinson, Hon. M. S 43 

Wilson, Hon. Thomas 46 

Williamson, S. C 60 

Woodman, L. C 258 

Wright, A. L 304 

Wuamett, John 328 

Yarchow, H. C 362 

Yearly, S. M 95 

Young, Julius 343 

Young, John 287 

Yust, Christian 325 

Zamboni, C 255 

Zwiener, H. L 407 

Zwiener, A. J 397 



PORTRAITS, 



PAdE 

Birkett, Hon. Iknrv 175 

Blythe. John .' 391 

Bray. Thomas 409 

Buffum, Hon. George W 67 

Burlingame, Hon. J. .M 85 

Busho, Julius 319 



Chesley, G. W 193 

Dunnell, Hon. M. II 49 

Ganser, P 365 

Harris, Jacob J 355 

Kinyon, Hon. W. R 157 



PMiB 

Morehouse, Hon. E. M 139 

Ogle, Rev. J. C 329 

Thom, Francis 337 

Wheelock, Hon. L. L 131 

Wilkins, Hon. W. W 301 

Woodman, L. C 211 



TABLE OF CONTENTS OF WASECA COUNTY 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

Introduction 415 

CHAPTER n. 

Geoguaphy, Topography and Geolooy 417 

Location 417 

Topography 417 

Geology 418 

Resources 419 

CHAPTER III. 

Early Settlement 430 

Claim Jumping 426 

Hard Times 439 

Historical Items 430 

Origin of County's Name 431 

CHAPTER IV. 

Reminiscenses and Incidents 433 

By James E. Child 432 

By William Brisbane 435 

Thrashing bv Moonlight 437 

Bloody Tragedy. 437 

First Sad Misfortune 438 

Great Snow Storm 439 

CHAPTER V. 

County Government 441 

Commissioners' Proceedings 441 

CHAPTER VI. 

Political 450 

Official Vote 453 

CHAPTER VII. 

Other Opficial Matters 467 

Population 467 

Subdivisions of the County 467 

Town Plats 467 

Matrimonial 468 

Registry of Deeds 470 

Auditor's Report 470 

Treasurer's Report 470 

CHAPTER VIII. 

State and County Representation 471 

Congressional 471 

Legislative 471 

County Auditor 483 

Register of Deeds 484 

County Treasurer 486 

Clerk of Court 488 

Sheriff 489 

Judge of Probate 489 

County Attorney 491 

County Surveyor , 491 

CHAPTER IX. 

County Seat Contests and County Buildings.. 493 

CHAPTER X. 

JoURNALIS.M 496 

Home Views 496 

Waseca Home Views 496 

Waseca Courier 496 

Wilton Weekly News 496 

Waseca News 497 

Minnesota Radical 497 

Waseca Radical 498 

Wilton Courant 498 

Lantern 501 

Independent 501 



page 

Record 501 

Janesville Argus 501 

Waseca Leader 503 

Waseca Herald 503 

Chronicle 504 

Town Talk 504 

New Richland Review 504 

North Star 505 

New Year 505 

CHAPTER XI. 

Bench and Bar 506 

Important Trials 506 

District Courts 507 

Attorneys 508 

CHAPTER XII. 

Educ.\tional 512 

County Superintendents 513 

The Development 514 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Agriculture and Agricultural Societies 515 

Anti-Horsethief Association ' 520 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Waseca County in the War .533 

Roster 522 

CHAPTER XV. 

The Indian Massacre .525 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Wilton Township 543 

Wilton Village 550 

CHAPTER XVII. 

St. Mary Township ."tSS 

St. Mary Village 562 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Iosco Township 564 

Empire Village 575 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Blooming Grove Township 577 

CHAPTER XX. 

Otisco Township 592 

Villages 599 

CHAPTER XXI. 

Janesville Township 605 

Janesville Village 616 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Woodville Township 634 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

New Richland Township 634 

New Richland Vill.\ge 046 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Vivian Township 658 

CHAPTER XXV. 
Byron Township 666 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Alton Township 673 

Alma City 6^3 



TABLE OF CONTENTS OF WASEOA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 
Freedom Township 



PAGE 

689 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

CiTv OF Waseca 701 

The Beginning 701 

Earl}' Business 702 

Business Development 703 

Physicians 709 

Hotels 710 



PAGE 

Banlss 713 

Postofiice 713 

Other Business Interests and Business Men .... 714 

Flouring Mill 719 

Municipal 725 

Schools 72.") 

Religious 121}' 

Fire Department 729 

Societies 730 

Maplewood Parli 733 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 




I'.VGE 

Abell, Hon. John S 477 

Abbott, W. D .511 

Allen, H. B .i48 

Allyn, W. G 606 

Anderson, Ole .595 

Anderson, John .596 

Anderson, Albert .597 

Anderson, Nels J 638 

Anderson, Olave 641 

Andrews, J. D .597 

Armstrong, W. D 718 

Arentsen, George L 705 

Atwood, E. M .549 

Aughenbaugh, Jolin W 730 

Ayers, Richard 667 

Barrett, Luther 423 

Bailey, Hon. Philo C 476 

Bailv, John .555 

Baker, W. S 486 

Ballard, Daniel T 558 

Ballard, Isaac 559 

Ballard, Henry S 573 

Bathke, Au£;ust 573 

Bahr, John^L 588 

Bauman, C 603 

Baldwin, Herman 664 

Baldwin, Milo 686 

Bell, A 433 

Behne. Henry 587 

Beisner, Louis 591 

Benson, John 636 

Berg, Andrew N 637 

Beyer, Charles 664 

Beavins, William 667 

Beavins, David 667 

Bennett, Edward 733 

Beierwaltcr, John 734 

Bird, Abraham 433 

Bird, Josepli 433 

Blivens, J. M "434 

Bommengen, Ole 640 

Bokke, Ole S 6.51 

Bowe, Patrick A 707 

Bronson, O. H 505 

Brisbane, Hon. William 473 

Bradish, John 508 

Britton, R. L. 11 618 

Brossard, Francis 585 

Breilein, Andrew 638 

Bromaghin, Franklin 693 

Brubaker, Jacob 733 

Brubaker, George E 733 

Breen, Nicholas J 707 



PACE 

Buckman, George R 487 

Burnett, William 614 

Buker, Henry 633 

Bumgerten, Peter 671 

Burke, William 677 

Bush, A. G 708 

Burns, P 547 

Canfield, J. A 489 

Carmody, John 510 

Cahill, Thomas 610 

Carlton, E. K 637 

Casey, M 674 

Campion, CM 674 

Chandler, Hon. J. 477 

Child, Simeon P 423 

Child, Hon. James E 503 

Chamberlain, H. P 565 

Chase, Luther 689 

Chase, Henry 618 

Christenson, Nels 635 

Christiansen, J. E 637 

Christianson. S. E 655 

Christie, Rev. A 728 

Clark, H. A 674 

Claghorn, J. L 731 

Collester, M. D. L 510 

Collester, E. B 511 

Conner, jM. F 546 

Conner, E. R 578 

Coddington, David 567 

Cor.sou, H. H 653 

Concanon, Lawrence W 671 

Converse, Ilcurv 694 

Comstock, Abncr E 699 

Comee, George W 717 

Connelly. Thomas 706 

Collins. Maurice S 711 

Craig. Dr. R. 479 

Crawford, J. W 484 

Crawford, W. H 610 

Cronkhitc, Edgar 483 

Cunningham, John 606 

Cunningham. Charles 696 

Curran, John 631 

Curvan, James 631 

Cummins, James 618 

Cummings, Harvey 670 

Dahle, Jens T 586 

Davis, Jeremy 666 

Davis, Daniel C 666 

Davis, John 693 

Davis, Mrs. Maria 693 

Davidson, Joseph 619 



PAGE 

Davidson, W 690 

Day, W. W 618 

Devereaux, M. L ... 674 

De Graff, Col. Andrew 678 

De Graff, Charles A 681 

Dedrick, Charles 695 

Dinneen, John 671 

Dodge, Hon. D. J 478 

Doran, John 548 

Dunn, George T 549 

Dunn, J. T 600 

Dunn, James M 629 

Dunn, Andrew L 631 

Dun woody , E. E 653 

Dunham, George W 676 

Dwyer, Mrs. Honora 664 

Dye, J. B 513 

Enos, P. Brink 509 

Enright, P. M 631 

Ericksen, Knut 581 

Erwin, D. A 560 

Everett, William 719 

Farrington, S. A 547 

FarleyT Patrick 560 

Farrell, Peter .567 

Farrell, Patrick 638 

Faught, G. W 614 

Field, Frank 685 

Field, John 691 

Fiske, E. W 705 

Flvnn, Thomas 703 

Franklin S. W 636 

Garland, Nathaniel 489 

Gallagher, Michael 561 

Gage, Lorin A 632 

Gates, Emerson 676 

Gates, Warren 684 

Gatzman, .loseph 706 

Gerlicher, H. J 714 

Geraghty, Roger 561 

Geary, John E 696 

Gove, Dr. M. S 551 

Gorman, Anthony .556 

Gorman. Charles 560 

Gosper, E.H 618 

Gordon. J. M 620 

Grant, W. L 711 

Gray, William M 578 

Gray, William H 630 

Gregory, Bernard 423 

Grams, Gottlieb 611 

Green, William M 628 



TABLE OF CONTENTS OF WASECA COUNTY. 



PAGE 

Graham, John L 691 

Graham, Arthur 691 

Graham, Clarence E 498 

Grapp, A 703 

Gustafson, Charles 604 

Gutfleisch, Charles 617 

Guyer Anthony 708 

Hayden, James B 488 

Hammel, Terence 676 

Hanes, Aaron 565 

Hand, James 580 

Hackett, Mrs. Margaret 581 

Hackett, John 581 

Hanson, Knud 598 

Hanson, Otto 601 

Hanson, H. J 636 

Hansen, C 724 

Hagen, Ole 635 

Hagen. Knudt 640 

Hawkes, Samuel 707 

Harmon, W. H 659 

Hanks, Rodnev 663 

Healey, Hugh' 568 

Henry, John A 501 

Henderson, Andrew J 660 

Helms, M. H 718 

Hill, J. B 658 

Hills, Elijah 673 

Howell, Jonathan 433 

Hogan, J 435 

Hogan, Andrew 683 

Holstein, Alfred 605 

Hodgkins. Samuel 699 

Hosmer, J. W . . 609 

Hover, C 613 

Hover. William 632 

Holt, P. A 651 

Hope, Garret 668 

Hopkins, M. S 678 

Hopkins, H. M 678 

Hofeld, George 684 

Hunt, J. F 637 

Hunt. Dr. M. V 709 

Hutchinson, Dr. A. 31 710 

Hydorn, Sanford 693 

Ide, John C 483 

Irwin, James 601 

Jackson, Thomas B 583 

Jackson. W. H. H .583 

Jacobs, Nicholas 718 

Jamison. A. P 713 

Jahn, Rev. J. C ,587 

Jenkins, John 433 

Jenkins, David 433 

Jewison, William 614 

Jennison. A. W 619 

Johnson, Michael 423 

Johnson. Alexander ,509 

Johnson, George 563 

Johnson, Carl (Blooming Grove) 583 

Johnson, Moses ,596 

John-son, Gustaf 601 

Johnson. Nels 648 

Johnson, Charles B 650 

Johnson, Ole 660 

Johnson, Carl (Vivian) 060 

Jolmson, Elling 705 

Johnson, John W 706 

Johnston. C. W 557 

Johnston, Mrs. Jane C 557 

Jordan, John 556 



PAGE 

Jones, James E 573 

Kanne, Fred. F 566 

Kaiser, August 574 

Keeley, M. B 489 

Kenehan, Patrick .545 

Kennedy, Thomas 633 

Kittredge, Fred 704 

Kittredge, W. T 509 

Kinder. W. R 510 

Knutsen. Gullick .581 

Knutson, Ole 424 

Knudson, Ole C 635 

Knauss, C. W 588 

Krassin, Gottlieb, Sr 423 

Krassin, Martin 423 

Krassin, John F 423 

Krassin, Johan G 555 

Krassin, August C 489 

Kruger, August F 486 

Kruger, Julius A. R 642 

Koester. Christian .570 

Koffstad, N. C 635 

Kugath, William 601 

Kyes, Lucius 637 

Lamb, Hon. Morris H 475 

Lamb, Morris 673 

La Dow. George 509 

Larson, Johnny 602 

Larsen, M. A 649 

Lajord, Thomas 639 

Laudert, Martin 655 

Lauder. William 655 

Lewis, B. S ,510 

Lee, William ,565 

Leslie, Samuel 600 

Leavitt, N. J 630 

Lewer, Henry F 633 

Lincoln, Noah ,545 

Lincoln, Charles F 546 

Long, Seth W 489 

Loveland. H. S 557 

Lockwood, Charles 675 

Lundquist. Fred 603 

Lund, Torkel 640 

Lyng, Isaiic 667 

Mackey, Jeremiah 699 

Mantie, Joseph 556 

Martin, Floyd 613 

Mandigo, Daniel N 700 

Markham, Patrick 677 

McDougal, Hugh .593 

McDougal, Robert .593 

McKune, Capt. Lewis 472 

McKune, Fred 579 

McGovern, Hon. Peter 475 

McKenna. Charles 488 

Mo Gonagle, Jlichael. 556 

McCarthy, Dennis 562 

McWade, John 570 

McGrath, Christie 667 

McLoughlin, T. F 702 

McLoughlin, Dennis 713 

Mcintosh. Dr 710 

:Mellby, Rev. O. A 640 

Mertens, Christopher 687 

Mittelsteadt, William 559 

Min.ske, John 566 

Minges, Hon. .Tosepli 475 

Miller, Martin ■ 568 

Minor, Samuel A 569 

Miner, F. H 617 



PAGE 

Mosher, H. A 486 

Moen, Iver A 687 

Mosher, Weston 585 

Murphy, John Fiskc 503 

Murphy, William .546 

Murphy. James C 619 

Murphy, Patrick J 619 

Murphy, Alichael 648 

Milller, Martin 568 

Mueller, Rev. A 696 

"Idycue, Aiken 663 

Nelson, R 549 

Nelson, Andrew 583 

Nelson, John ,597 

Nelson, N. M 641 

Nettleton, E. F 683 

Newgard, A. J 646 

Newman. Mary . . 574 

Nordmier. Ernest 591 

Norton, H. P 485 

Norton, C. 546 

Obriue, Peter 673 

O'Grady, A. J 511 

Oien John 694 

Oien, OleO 699 

Oleson. Burgiff ,593 

O'Neil. Rev. P. J 631 

Osgood, Luke B 434 

Orcutt, William 687 

Paulson, Hans 559 

Papke, Julius 561 

Parvin, Benaiah 669 

Partridge. Zalmon JI 670 

Parker, Chancey 724 

Peck, Henry. . ." 567 

Peterson, John .596 

Peterson, Mrs. Louisa 603 

Peterson, John P 603 

Peter.son, Lars 604 

Peter.son. John 638 

Phelps. S. 8 557 

Philbrook, William 667 

Philbrook, Mrs. Sarah 667 

Pierce, M. R 717 

Pierce, D 734 

Pierce, Jacob W 667 

Plath, JIartin 569 

Plummer, Moses 598 

Powell. Obediah 624 

Prechel. Gottlieb 433 

Prechel.Pred 433 

Priebe, August 557 

Preston, S. H 704 

Purcell, Philip 569 

Quirk, James .510 

Qverne, Paul 638 

Reibeling, George H., Sr 557 

Reed. .lohn .566 

Remund, Christian 577 

Remund, Samuel 579 

Remund, Albert .580 

Reinhardt, William .583 

Reinhardt, .Justus .583 

Rekkc, O. K 639 

Rotegard, Cari 642 

Remington, C. W 685 

Remington, Dr. C. 1 686 

Reichei. Robert 710 

Rice, E. A 484 

Rice, J. S 486 



TABLE OF CONTENTS OF WASECA COUNTT. 



PAGE 

Root, James A 548 

Roddle, William 549 

Robbins, H. 600 

Robbins, Asa 601 

Rollins, Samuel S 693 

Ryan, Hon. Michael W 483 

Sawin, Hon. O. U 703 

San Galli, Charles 485 

Sampson, Hon. Anthony 476 

SaufEerer, Hon. John L 474 

Savage, Thomas 613 

Scoville, Harry 691 

Scott, Christopher 423 

Schwenke, Henrj' 641 

Schlosser, B. H 654 

Schuette, Julius 586 

Seaman, Fletcher D 689 

Seymour, Patrick 678 

Sheldon, Myron S 56S 

Shephard, S. P 613 

Singenstrue, Henry .... : 587 

Slattery, James 574 

Smith, Simeon 434 

Smith, Alfred C 627 

Smith, Hon. Warren 473 

Smith, J. B 733 

Spoonburg, John 603 

Spoonburg, Mrs. Christine 602 

Sparks, D. B 655 

Stewart, J.I 486 

Strong, N. E 488 

Stearns, E. B 594 

Stearns, H. K 647 

. Steinhaus, Edward 654 

\,' Sutter, Christian 588 



PAGE 

Sutlief, Asa G 430 

Sutlief , Byron G 543 

Sutliff, Omer H 668 

Sunde, Paul 650 

Swift, H. S 702 

Swift, Kyes ,580 

Swift, P. H 509 

Swann, J. R 649 

Swensou, S 484 

Sybilrud, E. C 641 

Talmadge, W 612 

Thompson, William 683 

Tolin, John A 603 

Toner, Richard 567 

Trowbridge, Ira C 731 

Turnacliff, Jackson 546 

Turnacliff, Ferdinand .547 

Vaughan, James A 683 

Verplank. E. E 639 

Vickere, Isaac 633 

Ward, Hon. W. G ". .. 480 

Walter, Ludwig 570 

Warner, Joseph 613 

Watkins, Henry 627 

Watkins, George W 732 

Wager, William 673 

Wagner, Hon. Christoph 478 

Welch, Buel .551 

Wendland, August 574 

Weed, Edwin S 597 

Weed, C. S 667 

Weed, Jesse R 669 

Weed, Benjamin F 654 



PAGE 

West, Ichabod 659 

Wentworth, W. C 711 

White, Hon. J. C 476 

Wliite, George T 487 

Whipple, D. L 489 

Wheeler, Whitney 563 

Wheeler, John A 660 

Williams, Hon. S. B 477 

Willis, S. J 488 

Willis, Spencer J 567 

Willis, A 613 

Willis, Edward 612 

Wightman, J. H 637 

Wilson, Mrs. Calistii J 669 

Wilkins, John J 691 

Witts, Nelson 692 

Wilkinson, John 693 

Woodbury, A. J 551 

Worden, John .556 

Wood, David 564 

Wood, Roger B 599 

Wood, Eri G 637 

Wood, Luman S 638 

Wood, George H 631 

Wolf, E. J 586 

Wubschall, Fred 423 

Wyman, S. P 723 

Young, Hon. William C 490 

Young, W. E 510 

Young, Joseph D 639 

Young, D. P 685 

Young, Dr. H. J 709 

Youngberg, John 603 

Zell, Fred 604 



PORTRAITS. 



PAGE 

Brisbane, Hon. William 463 

Buckman, G. R 715 

Child, Hon. James E 499 

Cronkhite, Edgar 481 

De Graff. C. A 517 



PAGE 

Dunn, James M 625 

Everett, William 535 

Lamb, Hon. M. H 679 

McKune, Capt. Lewis 445 



PAGE 

Phelps, S. S 553 

Plummer, Moses 589 

Smith. Hon. Warren 427 

Ward, Hon. W. G 697 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

Location, Topogkapfiy and General Remarks.. 737 

Location 737 

Resources 737 

Topography 737 

Railroads 738 

Population Statistics 738 

CHAPTER IL 

History from 1060 to 1887 739 

Early Explorations 739 

During Seventeenth Century 740 

During Eighteenth Century - 743 

During Nineteenth Century 743 

( )rganization as a Territory 745 

( )rganizatiou as a State 745 

Chronological Events 745 

CHAPTER HL 

The Indian Massacre 747 



IIAGE 

Indian Tribes 747 

Causes that Led to the Outbreak 748 

Maj. Galbraith's Views 749 

Blood Shed 751 

Battles 753 

Surrender of Indians 752 

Release of Captives 752 

Execution of Thirty-eight Indians 752 

CHAPTER IV. 

Territorial and State Officers 753 

Officers in Territorial Times 753 

Various State Officers 754 

Judiciary 755 

CHAPTER V. 

Representation in Congress and Creation of 

Counties 755 

Senators 75G 

Representatives .' . 756 

Creation of Counties 757 



«*- 



1^ 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



HISTORY 



OF 



STEELE COUNTY, MINNESOTA. 



CHAPTER I. 




INTEODUCTORY. 



S tlie changes of half a century 
are contemplated, one can scarce- 
ly comprehend or realize that 
the wonderful results of Time's 
marvel-working hand are the 
achievements of a period so 
brief as to be within the re- 
membrance of the present gen- 
eration. 

Let us turn back, as it were, 
the leaves of Time's great book to but 
a little more than a quarter of a century 
ago, and the stranger would have gazed 
upon a landscape of wondrous beauty, 
selected by Indians as a camping-ground, 
with that singular appreciation of the beau- 
tiful which nature has made an instinct 
in the savage. These vast and rolling 
prairies and woodlands were as green 
then as now ; the prairie flowers bloomed as 
thickly and diffused their fragrance as boun- 
tifull}'. "We are in the haunt of the red 
man, with scarcely a trace of civilization, 
while the freedom of bird and beast reigns 
supreme. But, to-day, what a contrast ! 
Then, all was as nature had formed it, with 
its variegated hues of vegetation ; in winter 
a dreary, snow-mantled desert ; in summer a 

2 



perfect paradise of flowers. Now, all traces 
of the primitive are obliterated ; in place of 
the tall prairie grass and tangled under- 
brush, one beholds the I'ich waving fields of 
golden grain. In place of the dusky war- 
rior's rude cabins are the substantial and 
often elegant dwellings of the thrifty farm- 
ers ; and the " iron horse," swifter than the 
nimble deer, treads the pathwaj^ so recently 
the trail of the red man. Then a sickle of 
fire annually cut away the wild herbage, and 
drove to its death the stag ; now it is the 
home of the cereals, and nourishes on its 
broad bosom thousands of tons of the staple 
products of the great North Star State. 
Then the storm drove the wolf and stag to 
their hiding-place ; now the blast drives the 
herd of the husbandman to comfortable 
shelter. The transformation is complete. 

In this volume it will be the aim of the 
historian to record tlie progress of Steele 
County from its earliest settlement to the 
present time ; to show the changes that have 
from time to time been made and how tliey 
were brought about, and to record the life 
work of individuals who have been instru- 
mental in effecting the change. It will thus 
be seen to embrace events which some may 



18 



HISTOET OF STEELE COUNTY. 



think insignificant. "Great events find 
ready record," saj's a well-known writer, 
" but minor doings are often neglected, until 
they become so obscured by the dust of time 
as to be forever clouded." Yet from such 
humble origin may spring the mightiest 
results. The history of men's lives is often 
incomplete through the negligence of those 
whose duty it was to record the dates of 
births, or deaths, or happenings which have 
eventually proven epochs in the world's 
progress. History is sometimes narrowly 
regarded but the doings of rulers, who have 
the world for their theater of operations, 
and the fate of empires for their subjects. 
Such grave performances are, of necessity, 
remembered, but they are no more, in them- 
selves, worthy of preservation than are the 
simpler deeds of heroism which pioneers so 
modestly participated in. Yet when the 
careful student seeks for the moving forces 
which made thrones tremble, he is too often 
rewarded but meagerly. The people are 
seldom recorded in history'. In rare excep- 
tions may be found a clearer ray of light on 
humble undertakings, but they serve only to 
show the other failures stronger by con- 
trast. The Pilgrim Fathers who survived 
the shock of the first rude winter are 
recorded in the sparse annals of New 
England, and their descendants revei't with 
pride to those heroic ancestors. But the fifty 



pilgrims who died during that bleak season 
are never spoken of bj' name, though they 
are none the less worthy of undying rever- 
had some one more thought- 



ence. 



Again, 



ful than the rest among John Winthrop's 
band, which two and a half centuries ago set 
deep the seeds of civilization on the rough 
shores of Massachusetts, left a I'ecord of 
events then transpiring, how invaluable 
would that book now be to those who might 
prepare a great work on Boston's history. 
This same fact is true of every old settled 
countr3^ The early pioneers and those who 
took part in the development during the 
first quarter of a centur}' of the history of 
every county are generally lost to the 
knowledge of those who come later, and as 
time goes on it soon becomes impossible to 
obtain reliable information concei-ning them. 
Realizing this fact, this work has been 
compiled. Thousands of facts are herein 
recorded, and individual sketches of hun- 
dreds of citizens, living and dead, are here 
placed in an enduring form. These men 
and women are, or have been, actors in the 
drama of the settlement and development of 
Steele County. By inserting these sketches, 
in addition to other matter, is preserved not 
only the recital of historic fact, but a sub- 
current of individual deeds runs through all, 
giving a realism to the narrative which could 
be imparted in no other way. 




CHAPTER II. 




LOCATION, TOPOGEAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 



N no portion of the great State of 
Minnesota is Steele County sur- 
passed for its beautiful scenery: 
its rolling prairies interspersed 
and diversified with natural and 
domestic groves ; its meandering 
streams and its carpet of flowers 
and verdure. It lies in the southern or 
soutlieastern part of the State, having for 
its boundaries Rice County on the north. 
Dodge on the east, Freeborn on the south 
and Waseca on the west. As an agricultural 
and stock-raising region, Steele is also hard 
to excel. The soil is very productive — a 
rich, dark loam, well adapted to all cereals 
common to this latitude. It is also well 
suited to the production of tame and in- 
digenous grasses, and stock-raising, both 
native and blooded, attracts the general at- 
tention of the intelligent class of farmers 
that have settled here. The surface between 
the streams is a gently rolling prairie, inter- 
spersed by " oak openings " in various por- 
tions of the county. 

The county is well watered, not only by 
numerous streams, but also by springs, 
brooks and lakes. Straight is the largest 
and most important of the streams. It rises 
in Freeboi-n County and flows northward 
through Steele County, and on until it joins 
the Canon River. Numerous smaller streams 
flow into and swell the Straight River in 
Steele County, the most important of which 
are Maple, Turtle and Crane Creeks. At 
several points in this countj^ the Straight 
River furnishes valuable water-powers which 
have been successfully improved. These 



streams are all lined with a moderate growth 



of natural timber, whicli is heavy and dense 
in the northern part of the county, tliere 
being sufficient to supply the inhabitants of 
Steele County with fuel and fencing for half 
a century to come. 

GEOLOGICAL FOEIIATION. 

The geological formation here is about the 
same as characterizes the balance of this im- 
mediate portion of the State. The follow- 
ing extracts from Prof. N. H. Winchell's 
(State geologist) report of the geological and 
natural history survej' of Steele County, 
made in 1870, comprise all that has been 
published officially in relation to this subject : 

"The heaviness of the drift over this 
county effectually covers all the rock. The 
slight fall of the river enables it to uncover 
but little thus covered up. The only expos- 
ure of rock in this county is in Clinton Fall 
Township. The rock is Trenton limestone, 
and is first met on section 33. It is in the 
bed and on the low banks of the Straight 
River. The exposure, at the time visited, 
extended only about four feet above the sur- 
face of the water. The rock is in horizontal 
layers twenty-six inches thick. It is blue on 
fresh fracture, yellow when weathered, com- 
pact, sparry and contains many minute frag- 
ments of blue shale, like the corresponding 
rock at Minneapolis. On section 28 of the 
same township the rock is in thicker layers. 
The following section was seen in one place, 
beginning above : 

" ' 2 feet loam. 

" ' 2 feet blue clay and limestone in thin 
layers. 

'"4 feet — to water's surface — compact 
blue limestone, in tliin layers.' 



as) 



20 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



" Near by was another section as follows : 

"-' 2i feet black and red loam. 

" ' 2 feet hard yellow clay. 

" ' 7 feet blue stone in layers 2 to 5 inches 
thick, extending to surface of water.' 

" Below this there is no more rock until 
the county line is passed. At "Wolcott Mills, 
about li miles in Eice County, blue Trenton 
limestone has been quarried in the bed of 
the river. 

" No fossils were found in the rock. This 
stone is used for flagging and other purposes 
at Owatonna, and is considered a good 
stone. 

" Some evidence of the existence of a cre- 
taceous area in the State was found. On the 
southeast quarter of section 26 of Deerfield, 
on the farm of Aug. Hoffman, coal has 
been found in sinking a well. Dr. G. A. 
Rossback tells the writer that they went 
through 25 feet of black-blue clay, in the 
under part of which were fragments of coal. 
After that they passed through gravel, in 
which also were coal fragments. At the 
depth of 63 or 64 feet rock was struck ; the 
drill showed it to be black slate with pieces 
of coal imbedded in it. Although no speci- 
mens of the coal were seen by the writer, 
the descrijition given would answer for cre- 
taceous lignite. When the matter is further 
explored all doulit as to the geological hori- 
zon of the rock will be cleared up. Mean 
time the evidence from the geology of ad- 
joining counties, as well as the nature of the 
rock itself, justifies us in calling the rock 
cretaceous. 



"The drift is here, as already mentioned, 
very heavy. Sections of it were seen at 
several places. A gravel knoll, cut through 
at Owatonna, showed one foot of black loam 
on the top, then four feet of yellow, sandy 
clay, then seven feet of assorted sand and 
gravel. Other sections along the railroads 
showed essentiall}'^ the same arrangement. 
Among the gravel-pebbles fragments of ar- 
gillite were common." 

The Owatonna mineral springs should be 
mentioned. They ai'e nine in number, and 
are located about one and one-half miles 
northeast of the cit3^ They lie along Maple 
Creek, at the base of a low, clave}' bluff. Of 
the five seen by the writer, four deposited 
iron. The water of the fifth had a decidedly 
bluish tint. Fountain Spring was put down 
twenty-two feet and now flows out freely, 
raising the water about five feet above the 
surface. The others are natural springs. 
They are all undoubtedly due to the clay floor 
underlying the loose materials of the drift. 
The taste of the water is mineral. The 
analysis of the water, published by the Owa- 
tonna Mineral Springs Company, is ap- 
pended : 

In one gallon, or 231 cubic inches, there are : 

Chloride of Sodium 1680 grains. 

Sulphate of Sodium 2856 " 

Bicarbonate of Sodium 1.8592 " 

Bicarbonate of Calcium 13.1992 " 

Bicarbonate of Magnesium 5.2920 " 

Bicarbonate of Protoxide of Iron .6160 " 

Alumina 2800 

Silica 1.1200 " 

Organic Matter a trace. 

Total 22.8200 grains. 




CHAPTER III. 




EAELY DAYS. 



O the readers of local history, the 
chapter pertaining to the early 
settlement of a country is of gen- 
eral interest ; especially is this the 
case with pioneers themselves, 
those who have witnessed the 
changes that have been made, 
who have seen a trackless wilder- 
ness transformed into a beautiful 
country, and tilled with an enter- 
prising, happy people. He here 
roads, slowly and critically, every word, re- 
calling memories of the past, which for a gen- 
eration have been buried among a host of rec- 
ollections, which now arise before him like a 
dream. His old associations, the deeds, the 
trials and battles against hunger and cold, 
while the settlers were few and far between, 
and wolves howled about the little log cabin, 
sending a chill to his heart, and the wind driv- 
ing the sifting snow through the crevices — 
all now arise vividly before him. Often is it 
with pleasure he can recall these recollections, 
viewing with satisfaction the thought that 
he has lived to see a thrifty and wealthy land, 
dotted with schoolhouses and churches, vil- 
lages and cities. 

But again it will be with sadness that the 
past is recalled, as thoughts spring up of the 
dark and painful side of early days. How a 
wife, whose virtues, bravery and simplicity 
will always be remembered, or a child, prat- 
tling in innocence, being called from earth to 
the eternal home, was laid away under the 
cruel sod, in solemn quietude, by the rougli 
but tender hands of hardy pioneers. Time 
had partially allayed the sting, but the wound 
is now uncovered by the allusion to days 



gone by, and the cases are not a few, where a 
tear of bitter sadness wiU course down the 
cheek in honor of the memory of those who 
have departed. 

Notwithstanding the many disadvantages 
and even sorrows attendant upon the first 
steps of civilization, the adversities to be en- 
countered, the pioneers led a happy life. The 
absence of the aristocratic and domineerine: 
power of wealth and position must have 
been a source of comfort and satisfaction. 
Merit alone insured equality, and this could 
not be suppressed by traditions. The brother- 
hood of man was illustrated in a sincere and 
practical waj'^, and hospitality was not con- 
sidered so much a Christian trait as a duty 
to humanity. 

EAELY SETTLERS AND FIRST EVENTS. 

The first claims in Steele County were 
made in the summer of 1853 by A. L. Wright, 
Chauncey Lull, Smith and Orlando Johnson 
and L. M. Howard, who staked off claims, 
and some members of the party began im- 
provements that fall. All these selected land 
in what has since become Medford Township. 
Late that fall A. L. Wright and Chauncey 
Lull erected the first cabin in the county. 
These two were the only parties who spent 
the following winter of l«53-i here. This 
was the extent of the settlement made in 
1853. 

In 1854 a number came, among them be- 
ing W. W. Wilkins, William Allen, John San- 
born, William K. Colling, Edwin Drake, Or- 
lando Bartholomew, David Sanborn, A. W. 
and F. F. Adams, W. W. Arnold, F. W. Fisk, 
James Huginan, A. B. Cornell, W. F. Pettit, 
G. W. Green, J. W. Park and 8. B. Smith. 



31 



22 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



In 1855-6 many others came and all parts 
of the county received settlers. The follow- 
ing is a partial list of the pioneers : 

David Lindersmitli, Nelson Morehouse, 
Dr. E. M. Morehouse, James and Sandford 
Hayes, Mr. Crehore, P. P. Carlton, John 
Odell, James Cole, N. Winship, J. H. and 
Ezra Abbott, C. and J. Ellison, J. W. Mor- 
ford, A. Phelps, James Connell, M. A. Dailej', 
L. B. Town, B. L. Arnold, Eev. A. Town, 
Obed Gains, P. Sanford, Basil Meek, J. Wil- 
son, John Wilcox, Edward McCartney, Mr. 
Hobaugh, Ezra Crandall, F. J. Stevens, A. 
M. Fitzsimmons, C. II. Walker, W. F. Drum, 
Thomas Thompson, E. W. Levi, and Albert 
Bailey, Mr. Savins, Dr. Thomas Kenyon, T. 
J. Clark, O. A. Barnes, Dexter Smith, E. 
Lagro, David Burns, O. Fisher, II. Catlin, 
John Catlin, Charles R. Knowlton, Warren 
Fisher, J. E. Hughes, Manna Case, Chas. 
McCarty, William Burns, WiUiam Close, 
Robert Adair, George Dennis, Newton Park- 
er, D. C. Tiffany, Samuel Thompson, Sand- 
ford Kinnej^, E. Teed, Samuel Hastings, 
William Manson, G. W. Knapp, John Ben- 
nett, R. Heath, Capt. John Ball, A. B. Clark, 
G. AV. Grimshaw, Charles Adsit, Amos Coggs- 
well, S. A. Sargent, Harvey Eastman, Oscar 
King, Mr. P. Erham, William Shea, C. V. 
Brown, Iliram Pitcher, Levi Chase, Thos. 
McCormick, Robt. Reynolds, H. S. Howen, 
Enfin Enfinson, J. Gordon, D. T. Gordon, 
M. Warren, Mr. Winchell, F. B. Davis, C. 
W. Curtis, L. E. Thompson, Mr. Magoon, 
David Bayley, Thomas Bray, John Blythe, 
Levi Annis, J. J. Brackett, Ira Foster. 

Mr. L. M. Howard, who had settled in the 
town of Medford, commenced breaking 
pi'airie in September, 1853, which was the 
first plowing done in the county. Mr. John 
Sanborn, who came in the spring of 1854, 
brought his familj' witli liim, and located in 
the southern part of the town. Mrs. Sanborn 
is said to be the first woman to locate in 
Steele County. 

In 1855 Messrs. Abbott Brothers built a 
steam sawmill, and in 1856 another saw- 



mill was erected by Messrs. Melvin, Rideout 
& Hall. The first school in the county was 
taught on the present site of Owatonna by 
Miss Helen Holbrook in 1855. 

In May, 185i, William T. Pettit and A. B. 
Cornell located on the present site of Owa- 
tonna. Mr. Cornell made a claim on the east 
and Mr. Pettit on the west side of the river. 
The first dwelling at this point was built of 
poles, with prairie grass for a roof, by Mr. 
Cornell. In the commencement of the early 
settlement, nearly all buildings were of logs, 
and of such Mr. N. Winship built a hotel in 
1855. In the summer of the same year, Mr. 
Pettit built the first frame house, paying 
$107 per thousand for a part of the pine 
lumber, which he bought at Red Wing. In 
the spring of 1856, Ezra Abbott built a steam 
sawmill, and in the fall Mr. N. Morehouse 
built a saw-mill on the water-power on the 
west bank of the river. These mills added 
very materially to the growth and interests 
of the new settlement. 

In the various township and city liistories 
the early settlement is carried to a later day. 
The names of many other early settlers 
might be given here, but thej^ are omitted 
to avoid repetition. 

In those early days the struggle was a 
hand-to-hand conflict with stern necessity 
and the disadvantages that must be met 
before the means of subsistence and the 
necessaries of life could be supjilied from the 
cultivation of the soil. Many a time was the 
meal to furnish the family with bread man- 
ufactured in a coffee-mill, and oftener still 
was the wheat or corn boiled and eaten with- 
out grinding in any manner. Adventures 
were but few of a startling nature. 

Before any post routes were established 
in this section, it was only occasionally that 
the people received any mail matter, and 
when they did it was generally through the 
kindness of some of the settlers who would 
go to Faribault, which was the nearest post- 
office, and bring the bundle for all the set- 
tlers. A. B. Cornell was often the messen- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



23 



ger, and at such times as the river was 
swollen so that teams could not ford it, he 
used to swim across and go on foot to pro- 
cure the mail, and on returning, when he 
reached the river he would tie the letters 
and papers in a bundle and attaching a stone 
thereto would throw the bundle across and 
then swim across and deliver the mail to 
those to whom it was directed. The news 
in those times was fully appreciated by all 
who were so fortunate as to have letters 
from friends. 

The first celebration of independence in 
Steele County was held at Owatonna, on the 
4th of July, 1S56. The grounds used were 
near the present site of the Congregational 
Church. Some arrangement had been made 
with Mr. and Mrs. N. Winship to get up a 
dinner, and it was served at Morford's old 
building, a temporary one which had been 
erected. A rich feast was the result. After 
they got the crowd together it was found 
that there was no music, and not an instru- 
ment in town that anyone could play ; so 
David Lindersmith's fife was sent for, and 
he took the place of a brass band and led the 
crowd while they marched in procession 
through the few streets in the village. Judge 
Donaldson acted as marshal of the day. H. 
M. Sheetz, the orator of the day, read the 
declaration and delivered an address. An 
enjoyable time was had. The attendance 
numbered about 150 persons from the village 
and surrounding country. 

The second celebration was held in 1857. 
It was a genuine basket-picnic affair. F. J. 
Stevens, of Meriden Township, was the ora- 
tor of the day. 

In 1859 another enjoyable celebration was 
held at Owatonna on the 4th of July. It 
was a picnic gathering. The intention was 
to hold it out of dooi's, but the weather 
turned out so cold that it was adjourned to 
J. W. Morford's building, now occupied by 
Rosebrook's store, which was just being fin- 
ished. Overcoats and winter clothing were 
very comfortable, and Hakes of snow even 



fell. The orators were Hon. "W. R. Kinyon, 
Elder Cady and Mr. and Mi-s. H. M. Sheetz. 
Quite a discussion was had over the free-soil 
or abolition question. 

STAGE AND MAIL KOUTES. 

During the winter of 1854-5 Congress, for 
the purpose of aiding in the establishment of 
western mail routes, granted for that pur- 
pose one section of land for every twenty 
miles of route operated, under certain con- 
ditions. Of course the stage companies at 
once prepared to take advantage of this, and 
stations were established on these sections — • 
twenty miles apart. The first stage run 
through Owatonna was from St. Paul south. 
This was late in 1855. Owatonna was the 
terminus for a time. A postoifice had been 
established at Medford, but the mail sacks 
were not opened at Owatonna until later. 

In the winter of 1855-6, or late in the fall 
of 1855, as is claimed by some of the old set- 
tlers, stages commenced running west from 
Winona carrying mail on west to St. Peter. 
The first mail bag that went to the latter 
place contained one letter — of greeting 
from the postmaster at Winona to the one 
at St. Peter. Stages were not really put on 
for passenger travel until 1856, and after 
that they were run regularly. The manager 
was a man named Lord, who lived in 
Winona and who, as a rule, drove the stage 
himself. The route extended from Winona 
west, through Owatonna and other points to 
Travel's des Sioux or St. Peter. The first 
stage arrived here from the east, during the 
last week in September, 1855. 

A station was located on section 6, near 
the northwest corner of Owatonna Town- 
ship. Stageg were run weekly to St. Peter 
and return to Winona. 

In 1856 M. O. Walker, succeeding Lord, 
became proprietor of the stage line, and his 
name became a familiar one in almost eveiy 
settlement in the northwest. This stage 
line continued in operation until the railroad 
reached Owatonna in 1866, and then moved 
westward, followed closely by the lines of 



24 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



railway. "Walker at one period, in 1857-8, 
became badly involved in debt. He owned 
many different lines ol' stages, and, as the 
financial crash, which came at about this 
time, checked travel, many of these lines did 
not pay expenses. Often the agents or 
drivers were unable to pay bills for repairs 
and keeping contracted along the route, and 
it seems several of this character were run 
up in Owatonna. Finally papers were got 
out and placed in the hands of the sheriff, 
who was instructed to attach Walker's 
horses as they drove through, and this pro- 
cedure was repeated many times, the sheriff 
often having from ten to fifteen of Walker's 
horses in his charge. Yet it was sometimes a 
difficult matter to attach the teams. The 
stages carried United States mail, and so long 
as a mail-sack remained in the wagon, the 
sheriff dare not attach the team for fear of vio- 
lating the United States statutes in detaining 
the mails or obstructing the route. Ordinaril}' 
the sheriff would stand behind the corner of 
the house, and as soon as the sack was car- 
ried into the postoffice he would walk out 
and claim the team. The carriers got so they 
would watch for this and would get a sack 
on just as soon as one was taken off. Walker 
wbuld invariably pay his bills after a short 
delay, and then matters would move on 
smoothly until the next creditor would swear 
out an attachment. In 1859 Nichols & 
Wheeler became proprietors of the stage 
line. Thej' continued it for about four years, 
when it was purchased by Burbank & Co. 
who operated it until the railroad came 
in 1866. A north and south stage line 
was also put in operation at an early day. 



With the beginning of 1856 stages arrived 
regularly on this line, which was then oper- 
ated by Brackett & Co. Williamson tfe Cot- 
ter succeeded them and operated the line 
until the railroad was built through. Philo 
Finch, of Clinton Falls, was one of the 
drivers on this route for Williamson & Cotter. 
They also had a station every twenty miles, 
located on the lands which they claimed un- 
der the grant. They located a town called 
Oak Glen in Steele County, on section 1, in 
what is now Blooming Prairie Township, 
and laid plans for the erection of a city. 
This line continued in active operation until 
the railway was put through in 1866-7. 
The proposed city never succeeded in getting 
a fair start, and when the railroad reached 
this locality the village of Blooming Prairie 
was laid out on section 25, in the same 
township, and Oak Glen became a thing 
of the past. 

In 1856 a mail route was established from 
Owatonna to Geneva, and E. C. Stacy was 
the first to operate it. Nathaniel Winsiiip 
next got the contract and continued to run 
it for four years. The mail was carried 
sometimes with a buggy, again on horseback 
and frequently on foot. Hugh Murray is 
I'emembered as having footed it across the 
country with the mail on his back. 

As early as 1857 a mail route was estab- 
lished from Red Wing to Blue Earth City, 
and Philo Hawes became the carrier. Part 
of the time he was in company with a part- 
ner under the firm name of Cotter c% 
Hawes. This was continued until about tlie 
time the railroads were completed to this 
point. 




CHAPTER IV. 



ORGANIZATION, COUNTY LINES, AND COLTNTY NAME. 



ORGANIZATION. 




TEELE COUNTY was created 

1 February 20, 1856, at the sixth 

session of the territorial legisla- 

:Sy ture, which was held in St. Paul. 

;// Ji Up to that time the territory now 

(-> ^ comprising- it, together with many 

other counties in southern and 

southeastern Minnesota, formed a 

part of Rice County. When 

Steele was set off as a county it 

was provided that it should remain 

f attached to Rice for civil and judi- 
cial purposes. The territory it then 
embraced included all of the pres- 
ent county of Waseca together with the two 
western tier of townships in Steele. The 
eastern tiers of townships of Steele, as now 
formed, was then a part of Dodge County. 
The new county was named " Steele " in 
honor of Franklin Steele, of St. Anthony, a 
government contractor and a man of prom- 
inence in early days, who took an active in- 
terest in State politics, and made a large for- 
tune early in the history of the State. 
• The settlement in the territory from which 
Steele was created was only fairly com- 
menced at that time, as wiU be seen by read- 
ing other chapters in this volume. A few 
settlers had gathered about Medford, a few 
at Owatonna, and a scattering settler here 
and there throughout the balance of the 
county comprised its population at that 
time. During the early part of the year 
1855, a great many additions were made to 
the various settlements. In the meantime 



the Abbotts — Ezra and John H. — had be- 
come interested here and in connection with 
A. B. Cornell and Wm. F. Pettit were lay- 
ing the foundation for the future city of 
Owatonna. In the summer the plans for 
county organization were matured very 
quietly and in secret by the town proprie- 
tors of Owatonna, and parties went to St. 
Paul to see the territorial governor, Willis 
A. Gorman. A. B. Cornell was the prime 
mover in the matter. No petition was got 
up, nor were the settlers generally cognizant 
of the proposed attempt at organization, or 
they would undouljtedly have insisted upon 
having a hand in the matter, and having 
something to say as to who should be count}' 
officers. Cornell, together with a few others, 
got 'Squire Pierce to accompany them, and, 
when in the presence of the governor, Mr. 
Cornell asked that the county be organized, 
and presented a list of gentlemen for officers. 
The governor, a frank, whole-souled fellow, 
thought this was the desire of the citizens 
here and acceded. 'Squire Pierce until then 
had no knowledge of the scheme, but he said 
he could not go back upon Cornell at that 
time, so he kept quiet and the governor took 
him for one of the schemers. Afterward, 
some of the citizens here, meeting Gorman 
at Faribault, took him to task for his actions, 
and the governor was very wrathy, but it 
was too late — Steele was organized and he 
could not disorganize it. The result of this 
visit was the appointment of S. B. Smith, F. 
Intrram and F. W. Fisk as commissioners to 



25 



2ti 



HISTOKT OF STEELE COUNTY. 



organize Steele Countv. Several of the 
county offices were filled by appointment at 
the same time, although it has been impos- 
sible to find records which give a full list. 
The old settlers nearly all agree, however, 
that Charles Ellison was appointed register 
of deeds ; Simeon Case, prosecuting attor- 
ney; Smith Johnson, judge of probate ; J. H. 
Catlin, clerk of court, and Wm. F. Pettit, 
sheriff. 

This all took place in the summer of 1855. 
The same fall, on the 9th of October, a gen- 
eral election was held for State officers, only 
one county officer being elected — WiUiam 
F. Pettit, sheriff. At this election everyone 
voted — whether they had been here one 
month or six — and there were about 117 
votes polled in the county. It is impossible at 
this time to learn why only one county offi- 
cer (sheriff) should have been elected, and 
some of the oldest and best-posted of the old 
settlers claim that it is a mistake ; others that 
it was merely a joke, yet as the records 
show it, this was the first election ever held 
in the county. The polling place at Owa- 
touna was in the old log schoolhouse, or 
rather, a temporary structure of logs and 
brush, which stood near where the second 
ward school-building is now located. Dr. 
E. M. Morehouse was one of the clerks of 
this election, and D. B. Selleck one of the 
judges. At that time there was a good deal 
of rivalry between Owatonna and Medford, 
as each wanted to make as good a showing. 
as possible. At this election Smith Johnson, 
Dr. Finch and Isaac Sanborn came to Owa- 
tonna to watch the polls and prevent fraud, 
and they soon began challenging votes. At 
this, Cornell and Pettit got them aside and 
while they were arguing, the word went out 
to the boys to file in and vote. One party 
who attended claims that there were fifty- 
three illegal votes polled inside of thirty 
minutes. The difficulty between the two lo- 
calities was not jiarticularly relating to the 
county-seat but more of a local jealousy or 
rivahy to get the start in a business sense. 



It cited that when the Owatonna peo- 
ple were endeavoring to get a postoffice it 
was blocked by the Medford postmaster, 
Smith Johnson, Sr., refusing to sign the 
petition. The law in those daj's required 
that a petition for a postoffice must be 
signed by the nearest postmaster. Medford 
had secured the establishment of a post- 
office first, and for a long time Mr. Johnson 
refused to sign the Owatonna petition. 

Whether all of the county officers a])point- 
ed by the governor in the summer of 1855 
qualified or not, is impossible to say, yet it 
is known that many of them did. In July, 
1856, the following is a list of the county 
officers who were serving, although how 
some of them came to hold the offices cannot 
be told. The list is taken from a copy of 
the Watchman and Register, dated July 29, 
1856. 

County commissioners : Samuel B. Smith, 
"William Allen and Melmer P. Ide. 

Register of deeds, Charles EUison. 

Sherifl', William F. Pettit. 

Treasurer, David Sanborn. 

Surveyor, John W. Park. 

Clerk of court, F. Wilbur Fisk. 

District attorney, John M. Blivin. 

Judge of probate, Franklin B. Davis. 

Assessors : David Lindersmith, Charles 
Thompson and Luke Osgood. 

Supervisor of roads, David Lindersmith. 

Justices of the peace : Addison Phelps 
and Seymour Howe for Owatonna precinct ; 
Sylvester McNitt for Franklin ; Smith 
Johnson, Sr., for Medford ; Simeon Smith 
for Swavesey ; and Curtis Hatch and J. A. 
Bassett for Empire. 

Official matters moved along smoothly 
during this year, 1855-6. It appears that 
all deeds and official instruments were still 
being recorded in Rice County for some 
reason, and Steele County books were not 
opened for the reception of these instru- 
ments until in the autumn of 1856. 

Late in the summer of 1856 a convention 
was held at Owatonna for the nomination 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



27 



of officers, and a heated campaign followed, 
in which all hands throughout what is now 
Steele and Waseca Counties took an active 
part. The county-seat question was not the 
leading issue, as has been stated in several 
previously published histories, but it was 
more particularly over the question as to 
who should be leaders ; as one old settler 
puts it, it was " Cornell " or "anti-Cornell." 
Cornell was certainly quite an apt hand to 
stir up animosities and strife. He was 
active and energetic, unsparing to a foe, 
and was for " Cornell, first, last and all the 
time." This convention was called a " Peo- 
ple's Convention," and was not particularly 
partisan, or in favor of any exclusive polit- 
ical party. In fact, creeds were hard to dis- 
tinguish in those days. Cornell was nomi- 
nated for the legislature, and was defeated 
at the polls by Kev. O. A. Thomas. James 
Connell was nominated for register of deeds, 
but Charles Ellison came out as an independ- 
ent candidate and got Connell to withdi'aw. 
Park defeated Ellison a,t the polls. David 
Lindersmith was nominated for sheriff ; 
David Sanborn for treasurer; J. Bradish, of 
the present Waseca County, for attorney ; 
H. W. Peck, one of the proprietors of the 
town of Empire in what is now in Waseca 
County, for surveyor ; J. M. Bhvin, of 
Swavesey Township for coroner ; and Ezra 
Abbott for superintendent of schools. No 
convention was held to put an anti-Cornell 
ticket in the field, but the leading " anties " 
got togethei", and opposing candidates were 
announced for all of the offices, and in some 
cases half a dozen for each. G. W. Green 
led the opposition in what is now Steele 
County, while Lewis McCune and James E. 
Child, in what is now Waseca County, took 
an active part in opposing Cornell in the 
west end. Child was an able man, and 
directed his work chiefly against Cornell for 
representative and Ellison for register of 
deeds. The latter was something of a 
chameleon as to his political faith and a 
little inclined to chang-e with whomever he 



was talking with. Mr. Child wrote a i)oem 
relating to this, in which was the foUow- 



Mr. Ellison, Esquire, 
You ought to look higher 

Than to think of registering deeds. 
The people up here 
Feel desperately queer 

To know your political creed." 

The vote was badly spht up as will be 
seen by the official vote published in another 
chapter. A. B. Cornell and J. H. Abbott, 
in the meantime — in July, 1856, — had estab- 
lished a paper at Owatonna, under the name 
of the Watchman and Register and this took 
an active part in the campaign. 

On the lith of October, 1856. the election 
came off. It was the first election of county 
officers. The offices were all fiUed as fol- 
lows : Register of deeds, John W. Park ; 
sheriff, David Lindersmith ; treasurer, David 
Sanborn ; judge of probate, Bazil Meek ; 
district attorney, Geo. W. Green ; surveyor, 
H. W. Peck ; coroner, Thomas Kenyon ; 
auditor, Z. B. Moore ; superintendent of 
schools, Ezra Abbott ; for assessors Geo. O. 
Hankerson, P. Sanford, P. Healey, James E. 
Child, L. B. Town and John A. Ileadley all 
received vote§ ; county commissioners, David 
Smith, N. Winship and William Allen. 

On the 1st of August, 1855, the board of 
commissioners met for the first time and the 
organization of Steel County was perfected, 
the county -seat being located at Owatonna. 
Since that time the official history of the 
county has been uneventful. The various 
offices have almost without a single excep- 
tion always been filled by capable and honest 
men, and the thread of history runs smoothl}' 
and without interi-uption down to the present 
day. Elsewhere in this volume we trace all 
the prominent acts of the various gentlemen 
who have filled the offices, together with a 
full history of the Ijoard of count}' commis- 
sioners, witji their acts and a list of members 
in the various years since the county was 
organized. 



28 



HISTOEY OK STEELE COUNTY. 



COUNTY LINES. 

Even before the organization of Steele 
Colinty it became apparent to the settlers at 
Owatonna that the boundaries of the county 
were arranged disadvantageous to the inter- 
ests of the embryo city. The county, when 
first created, embraced twenty congressional 
townships — i. e., all of Waseca County and 
the eight western townships of the present 
county of Steele. This arrangement left 
Owatonna in the northeast corner of the 
county, three miles from the east and seven 
from the north line of the county. It Avas 
evident that this was not the point to be 
readily chosen as the county-seat, and it 
would be difficult, as years went by and set- 
tlement increased, to keep the county-seat at 
a point so far from the geographical center 
of tiie county. Even then there were other 
points springing up at various places, and 
were becoming active rivals for county-seat 
honors. "Wilton had a splendid location and 
John C. Ide was already ]iutting up a hotel 
and sawmill and attracting considei'able at- 
tention toward that point. A village called 
Meriden, in the present township of that 
name, was much nearer the geographical 
center of the county than Owatonna, and a 
number of capable men had located there 
and were actively advancing the interests of 



that location. Beside these a number of 
other points were springing up which con- 
stantly menaced the future of Owatonna's 
county-seat interests. After the county was 
organized, in August, 1855, and from that time 
through the following months the matter 
was occasionally discussed and finally a plan 
was matured which proved a success in set- 
tling the matter favorably to Owatonna's in- 
terests. It was to have one tier of town- 
ships set off from Dodge County and attached 
to Steele; and then to detach the western 
half of Steele County and organize that as 
Waseca County. This suited Mantonville, 
as they had been located too far east, and it 
gave Wilton a chance to become the county- 
seat of Waseca County. In February, 1856, 
an act was passed by the legislature making 
the desired change, and townships 105, 106, 
107 and 108, range 19, became a part of 
Steele County. On the 27th of February, 
1857, an act was passed by the legislature 
creating AVaseca County, and located the 
county-seat of the new county at Wilton. 
This arranged the lines as they remain at the 
present time, and ended all trouble as to 
county lines, settling a matter which up to 
that time had been an absorbing topic for 
the citizens in the territory affected. 




CHAPTER V. 



HISTORY OF THE COUNTY'S GOVEENMENT. 



IIE first meeting of the board of 
county commissioners appointed 
by the -governor was held on 
the 1st day of August, 1855, at 
the house of A. B. Cornell, on the 
present site of Owatonna. The 
opening sentence of the record is 
as follows : "Agreeable to direc- 
tion from the Governor of the 
territory of Minnesota, the board 
met at the house of A. B. Cor- 
nell, and, after taking the oath, 
proceeded to organize the county 
by appointing S. B. Smith chair- 
man of the board. The first 
work of the board was to divide the county 
into townships, or precincts, as they were 
then called — three in number — which they 
named Owatonna, Swavesey and Le Seuer, 
only the first named of which embraced ter- 
ritory now included in Steele Countj^, the 
other two embracing the territory' now form- 
ing Waseca County. It was also ordered 
that the seat of justice of Steele County be 
located at Owatonna, on the southeast quar- 
ter of section 9, township 107, range 20. 
The board at that time consisted of S. B. 
Smith, chairman , F. Ingram and F. W. 
Fisk, although the last named does not 
appear to have attended this meeting. From 
the record this appears to have been all that 
was accomplished at the first meeting. 
Charles Ellison was clerk of the board, and 
A. B. Cornell, deputy. On the 25th of 
August, 1855, a special meeting of the board 
was held, at which Medford Township was 
set off from Owatonna, and its organization 
was authorized. 

The first count}' roads to be acted upon 



were considered on the 17th of October, 
1855. They were as follows: "One from 
Owatonna to the county line in the direc- 
tion of Drake's"; one from the east 
county line in the direction of Mankato, 
and "one fi'om Owatonna to the county line 
near Ralph Stout's." Sylvester McNitt and 
Henry A. Catlin were ap])ointed to view 
and report on the last mentioned road, 
"with the understanding that they were 
to make no charge to the county for 
such services." At this same meeting the 
vote of Steele County (election on October 9, 
1855) was canvassed, the canvassers being 
Addison Phelps and J. Jenkins, justices of 
the peace, and Charles Ellison, clerk of the 
board of county commissionei's. 

At the next meeting, on the 10th of 
November, 1855, the newl3'-elected board of 
count}^ commissioners held their first meeting. 
The board was composed of S. B. Smith, 
chairman, F. "W. Fisk and John II. Abbott. 

On the 7th of April, 1856, the county was 
divided into assessors' districts, and a short 
time later Benjamin L. Arnold, James E. 
Child and Wilbur Fisk were ai)pointed 
county assessors. 

In April, of the same year, the finances of 
the county were clearly shown by the fol- 
lowing statement : "An order was jiresented 
to the board by John W. Park, for services 
as road viewer and county surveyor, to the 
amount of $29. The condition of the 
finances of the county is as follows : County 
in delt, $29:' 

At this same meeting Franklin Township 
was organized, and several changes made in 
the townships lying in what is now Waseca 
County. 



29 



30 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



In April, 1856, the first list of grand and 
petit jurors was drawn by the board of 
county commissioners, as follows : 

Orand Jurors: Joseph Smith, Andrew 
I. Bell, A. B. Cornell, Michael Johnson, 
Curtis Hatch, Hiram Jenkins, Samuel Drake, 
Samuel F. Wyman, M. P. Ide, Samuel M. 
Freeman, Orlando Bartholomew, John San- 
born, Alfred M. U. Sanborn, C. "W. Curtis, 

A. L. Wright, Wm. W. Arnold, Avery "W. 
Adams, Geo. W. Patridge, Lewis Howard, 
Smith Johnson, Sr., David Lindersmith, 
Seymour Howe, B. L. Arnold, P. Carlton, 
W". W. Finch, A. Selleck, Dexter Carlton, 
Ealph Kenyon, John H. Abbott, Geo. W. 
Drew, Henry A. Catlin, Bazil Meek, Sr., 
Abram Fitzsimmons, Sylvester McNitt, N. 
Winship, Eev. Thomas, Mr. Adair, Sr., 
Lorenzo Muckey, John Jenkins, S. M. Case, 
John W. Park," A. Phelps, Wm. Allen, F. B. 
Davis, Luther Huntley, Eev. A. Town, Wm. 
W. Eobinson, Wm. Burns, W. E. Fisk, James 
E. Child. 

Petit Jurors : G. O. Hankerson, Benj. A. 
Freeman, W. K. Colling, Henry C. Gilman, 
Francis S. Adams, Philip Smith, D. B. Kim- 
ball, Ealph Stout, Mr. Lane, Mr. Strong, 
Smith Johnson, Jr., Wallace W. Wilkins, 
Levi J. Morehouse, Nelson Morehouse, Eli 
M. Morehouse, P. Sanford, E. S. Hays, D. 

B. Selleck, L. F. Case, Phillip Miller, John 
Duckering, M. I. Prisbj^, L. B. Town, John 
W. Catlin, Welcom Curtis, Ilenrick Eum- 
hose, Hiram Eobinson, Hobart Hutchinson, 
Chas. Ellison, Eobt. McDoiigall, I. N. Kelly, 
Jos. W. Bui'ch, Hiram Greenwold, F. New- 
land, T. Dennis, L. Town, Joel Wilson, I. M. 
Sanborn, Geo. W. Squires, Benjamin Scott, 
S. Thompson, Clinton Simmons, Emmons 
Eeed, Daniel Poole, John Truesdale, Wm. 
Knapp, Moses Eivard, Francis Judd, Fletcher 
Dubois, Mr. Miller, Mr. Adams, Wm. 
McCarty, W. K. Colling, John Wilcox, G. 
G. Files, Mr. Keys, T. Johnson, David 
Jenkins, Frederick Shaw, James McNitt, 
Ashley Harris, Thos. G. Meek, Jeptha Town, 
James Overstreet, John Moon, Joseph Wag- 



ner, L. E. Thompson, F. W. Bliss, Asa B. 
SutliflF, Bazil Meek, Jr., Abram Barnhard, 
John Hortop, Jr. 

On the 7th of July, 1850, a meeting of 
the board was held at the store of Adolphus 
Town, in Owatonna, and the record shows 
the names of S. B. Smith, chairman, William 
Allen and Melmer P. Ide as composing it. 
David Lindersmith, Levi Thompson and L. 
B. Osgood were appointed to assess the 
county.* It was also ordered that the county 
officers should hold their offices open at the 
countj'-seat, and that the board would pro- 
vide a place in the store of Park & Smith 
for the county treasurer. 

For the year 1857 the members of the 
board of commissioners consisted of Nathan- 
iel Winship, of Owatonna, chairman ; Wm. 
Allen, of Medford, and David Smith. At 
their first meeting, in 1857, this board 
resolved that the offices of clerk of court and 
county treasurer should be held at the office 
of John W. Park, and that the sheriff's 
office should be kept at his house. 

The finances of the county are again 
shown up at the January meeting of the 
board in 1857, when the following sentence 
appears on the records: ^'■Finances of the 
county — in debt." 

The second drawing of jurors occurred 
at the April session, 1857, when the list was 
made up as follows : 

Grand Jurors : John A. Hadley, Frank- 
lin B. Davis, Chas. W. Curtis, Henry Magird, 
J. A. Goodwin, E. G. Sturgiss, Wallace W. 
Wilkin, John H. Abbott, B. L. Arnold, 
Joel. Wilson, N. Breidenstein, Thomas 
Thomson, Eobt. Adair, Dexter Carlton, AVm. 

F. Pettit, Alson Selleck, E. A. Page, Luke 
Colburn, Eobt. McDonald, W. H. Chamber- 
lain, H. C. Gilman, L. H. Lane, W. G. 
Allen, Nelson Skivring, A. B. Thompson, 
Addison Phelps, Ezra Abbott, C. B. Pettie, 

G. W. Grimshaw, Smith Johnson, John D. 



* This assessment all fell through as illegal, from the fact 
that (inly one of them, David Lindersmith, made his report 
within the time allowed by law.— Editor. 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTT. 



31 



Sanborn, Luke B. Osgood, John H. Wheeler, 
Luther Huntley. 

Petit Jurors : James W. Adams, John Q. 
Swanger, John A. Pierce, Charles Mc- 
Carty, D. A. Kimball, Lorenzo Muckey, Geo. 
O. PLankerson, Elijah Brown, B. A. Freeman, 
Wm. Kunalls, Samuel Eing, L. F. Case, 
Hugh Burns, L. B. Towns, John Moon, 
Christopher Dickinson, Jonathan Howell, 
L. P. Stowell, C. L. Lowell, Thos. J. Kerr, 
Hugh McDougall, Wra. Wells, W.W. Hank- 
erson, Ralph E. Stout, Geo. Strong, Jas. 
Overstreet, James Shipley, Hiram Greenud, 
P. P. Carlton, John Wilcox, E. Eklred, 
Simeon Case, G. G. Tiles, Lucius Town, Wm. 
Webster, Edward Fay, John B. Douglas, 
Frederick Roljerts. Chas. Green, Isaac C. 
Pierce, John Oliver, Francis F. Adams, 
Samuel Morrison, Avery W. Adams, Alfred 
H. Sanborn, Ashley Harris, Chas. McHenry, 
Asa Carpenter, A. L. Wright, Orlando Bar- 
tholomew, G. H. Partridge, Thos. Huntley, 
Simeon Smith, E. K. Carlton, Wm. Donel- 
son, A. L Bell, P. Q. Horton, A. R. Wilson, 
Wm. J. Moon, Geo. Leorang, Patrick 
Healey, John Adair, H. W. Hutchinson, 
A. P. Peterson, Marcus Seymour, D. B. Sel- 
leck, Sylvester Mcxsitt, Christopher Hayes. 

In Juty, 1857, from the records it ap])ears 
that the board was composed of N. Winship, 
chairman ; William Allen, of Medford, and 
A. A. Woodward, of Somerset. In October 
William Allen resigned. 

In October of the same year, Geo. W. 
Green resigned the office of district attor- 
ney, and Sylvanus Yearly was appointed. 

In January, 1858, the board for the en- 
suing year met and organized by the elec- 
tion of Nathaniel Winship, of Owatonna, 
chairman. The other members were Hiram 
Pitcher, of Berlin, and Lorenzo Muckey, of 
Medford. 

On the 5th of June, 1858, John W. Park 
resigned the office of register of deeds and 
M. A. Dailey was appointed his successor. 

On the same date David Sanborn, the 
county treasurer, made a statement of the 



financial condition of the county for the 
j^ear, as follows : 

Total amount received $1,364 10 

Total paid out $705 74 

Balance on liand 598 36 

$1,364 10 

The outstanding indebtedness of the 
county, January 6, 1858, was $2,129.69. 

April 6, 1858, the county was rearranged 
as to townships. This matter receives atten- 
tion in another chapter. 

During the winter of 1857-8, the system 
of county government was changed, the leg- 
islature having abolished the board of countj^ 
commissioners and created the board of su- 
pervisors. Under this new system the board 
consisted of one member from each organ- 
ized township — the chairman of each of 
the township boards. The first meeting 
under the new law was held on the 14th of 
September, 1858. The following were the 
members from the various townships in 
the county : 

Medford Franklin B. Davis 

Clinton Falls Geo. W. Green 

Deerfield Joliu H. Morse 

Owatonna Wm. F. Pettit 

Lafayette Amos Norton 

Merideu AValter Stcbbins 

Union Prairie Levi E. Thompson 

Aurora S'meou Osborn, Jr. 

Somerset T. C. Minthorn 

Lemond Samuel M. Hastings 

Summit Hiram Fredenburgh 

Berlin Charles Brown 

Geo. W. Green was elected chairman of 
the board and M. A. Dailey, clerk. 

At this session of the board the names 
of Lafayette and Union Prairie Town- 
ships were changed to Freeman and Orion, 
respectivel}''. 

The law creating the office of county 
auditor had gone into effect, and in October, 
1858, A. McKinney had been elected to fill 
it, but there arose some question as to the 
legality of the election, M. A. Dailey con. 
testing, and on February 9, 1859, the contest 
was decided by the board choosing Mr. 



32 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Dailey, who was at tliat time acting as clerk 
of the board, or auditor. 

The second annual session of the board of 
supervisors began on the 13th of Sep- 
tember, 1859, when an organization was 
effected by the election of George "W. Green 
to the chair. The following comprise a list 
of the members : 

Owatonna, George B. Hall ; Medford, F. 
B. Davis ; Deerfield, J. H. Morse ; Meridgn? 
F. J. Stevens ; Aurora, GeorgeW . Grimshaw ; 
Summit, H. Fredenburgh ; Clinton Falls, 
George AV". Green ; Orion, L. E. Thompson ; 
Dover, S. H. Patterson ; Somerset, Thomas 
Thompson ; Lemond, S. M. Hastings ; Berlin, 
I. W. Crosby. 

In October. 1850, the board of equaliza- 
tion arranged the assessment of the coimty. 
The real estate in the various townships was 
assessed as follows : 

Assessed 
Townships. No. of Value 

Acres, per Acre. 

Medford 9,036 .$4.07 

Owatonna 18,875 3.50 

Clinton Falls 8,307 2.95 

Dover 11,655 3.59 

Orion 13,013 2.63 

Meriden 16,828 2.80 

Somerset 11.901 1.87 

Summit 6,.534 1.98 

Berlin ' 7,892 1.98 

Aurora 15,933 1.95 

Deerfield 12,345 1.99 

Lemond 10,105 1.96 

14,1919 

On the 6th of February, 1860, Frank L. 
Melvin, who had in the meantime been 
elected count}' auditor, resigned, and the 
boaixl appointed M. A. Dailey to fill the 
vacancy. 

In the winter of 1859-60 the legislature 
again changed the system of county govern- 
ment, abolishing the board of supervisors 
and re-establishing the board of county com- 
missioners, which was to consist of thi'ee 
members, or five when the population of 
the county should warrant it. The first 
meeting under the change was held on the 
17th of May, 1860, when H. Fredenburgh 



and F. J. Stevens were present as members. 
Mr. Fredenburgh was elected chairman. 

In June, 1860, the county was divided 
into commissioners' districts, as follows: No. 
1 included Medford, Deerfield, CJinton Falls 
and Orion. Xo. 2 included Owatonna, Mer- 
iden and Dover. No. 3, Aurora, Somerset, 
Lemond, Oak Glen, Summit and Berlin. 
The board for 1860 was composed of H. 
Fredenburgh, of Summit, chairman ; L. E. 
Thompson, of Orion, and F. J. Stevens, of 
Meriden. 

In 1861 the members of the board were 
N. Winship, of Owatonna, chairman ; George 
C. Pettie, of Aurora ; and W. P. Francis, of 
Medford. 

When the board met for the first time in 
1862, Alex. Chambers, of Owatonna, was 
chosen chairman. The associate members 
were H. Fredenburgh, of Summit, and Ben- 
jamin F. Melvin, of Medford. At the Jan- 
uary session in this year the name of Orion 
Township was changed, first to Lyon and 
then to Merton. In the spring of 1862 the 
educational system was changed, and the 
county was divided into districts for the 
supervision of the schools. In September, 
1862, the board of commissioners appointed 
a school superintendent for each of these dis- 
tricts, as follows: first district, E. G. Lin- 
coln ; second district, Harvey Chapin ; third 
district, Dwight Gordon. 

For 1863 the en personnel of the board was 
the same as during the previous year. On 
the 5th of November, 1863, W. Morris re- 
signed the offices of county auditor and 
register of deeds. The board appointed A. 
N. Stoughton county auditor ; and Charles 
S. Crandall, register of deeds. 

In 186-1 the board of county commissioners 
met for their first session on the first Mon- 
day in January, and organized by re-electing 
Alex. Chambers chairman. The other two 
members were H. Fredenburgh and B. F. 
Melvin. Mr. Melvin resigned January 18, 
and F. B. Davis was appointed to fill the 
vacancy. An act was approved March 3, 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



33 



1864:, changing the school system again, and 
in accordance with this the board appointed 

A. A. Harwood superintendent of schools for 
the entire county and fixed the salary at 
$200 per year. 

When the board met in Januarj', 1865, it 
was composed of Alex. Chambers, of Owa- 
tonna, chairman ; A. J. Abl)ott, of Medford, 
and II. Fredenburgh, of Summit. Mr. Ab- 
bott resigned in January of the same jj^ear 
and Henry Maw, of Merton, was appointed 
to fill the vacancy. In Ma}', 1865, S. H. 
Patterson resigned the office of sheriff and 
"William Scriby was appointed by the board 
to act until the general election following. 

In 1866 the following gentlemen com- 
prised the board : Alex. Chambers, of Owa- 
tonna, chairman ; H. Fredenburgh, of Sum- 
mit, and O. Bartholomew, of Medford. 

The board for 1867 was as follows : H. 
Fredenburgh, of Summit, chairman ; O. 
Bartholomew, o Medford, and George B. 
Hall, of Owatonna. Among the first mat- 
ters acted upon by this board was to set off 
and authorize the organization of Oak Glen 
(now Blooming Prairie) Township. 

In 1868 the board was composed of George 

B. Hall, of Owatonna, chairman ; O. Barthol- 
omew, of Medford; and D. T. Gordon, of 
Berlin. In January of this year F. J. Ste- 
vens was appointed county superintendent of 
schools, and in September he was reappointed 
for the year commencing January 1, 1869. 

In 1869 the board of county commissioners 
consisted of George B. Hall, of Owatonna, 
chairman ; D. T. Gordon, of Beriin ; and L. 
H. Lane, of Merton Township. In January, 
1869, the record states tliat M. J. Toiler re- 
signed the office of sheriff and Ferdinand 
Borchert was appointed. It appears that 
Borchert had been elected sheriff as Franli 
Borchert instead of Ferdinand, and to cover 
any possible technical difficulty Mr. Toher, 
his predecessor, resigned arid the board then 
appointed Mr. Borchert. 

During this year — 1869 — the boai'd was 
increased to five instead of tliree members. 



The board redistricted the county on the 10th 
of September, 1869. 

In 1870 the board was composed of George 
B. Hall, chairman ; D. T. Gordon, of Berlin ; 
L. H. Lane, of Merton ; G. W. Buffum of Clin- 
ton Falls ; and Fi-ank Chambers, of Havana. 
On the 11th of March of this year it was de- 
cided to submit to the voters of the county 
the question of issuing county bonds to the 
amount of $10,000 for the purpose of erect- 
ing a county jail. 

In 1871 the board organized by the elec- 
tion of L. H. Lane, of Merton, chairman ; the 
other members were George B. Hall, of 
Owatonna ; G. W. Buffum, of Clinton Falls ; 
Hugh Murraj', of Lemond ; and Frank Cham- 
bers, of Havana. On the 8th of June, this 
3'ear, Charles Dinijes resigned the office of 
county surveyor and tlie board appointed 
James M. Finch to fill the vacancy. 

For the year 1872 the board was made up 
of the following named : G. W. Buft'um, of 
Clinton Falls, chairman ; George B. Hall, of 
Owatonna ; Hugh Murray, of Lemond ; G. 0. 
Hankerson, of Medford ; and Henry H. 
Mitchell, of Aurora. 

In 1873, when the board first met, it was 
composed of the following members : George 
B. Hall, of Owatonna, chairman ; George O. 
Hankerson, of Medford ; Hugh Murray, of 
Lemond ; H. H. Mitchell, of Aurora ; and G. 
W. Buffum, of Clinton Falls. On the 23d 
of June, 1873, H. H. Mitchell resigned and 
E. Stapleton, of Aurora, was appointed to fill 
the vacancy. It appears that at about this 
time the name of Oak Glen Township was 
changed to Blooming Prairie, although no 
entry of the change seems to have been made 
on the records. 

In 1874 the boai-d met for the first time 
on the 6th of January, being composed of 
the following members : G. W. Buffum, of 
Clinton Falls, chairman ; G. B. Hall, of 
Owatonna ; Hugh Murray, of Lemond ; G. O. 
Hankerson, of Medford ; and H. A. Gleason, 
of Blooming Prairie. 

On the 5th of January, 1875, the board 



34 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



organized with the following membership : 
Geo. B. Hall, of Owatonna. chairman ; A. 
B.. Clark, of Blooming Prairie; J. A. 
Oppliger, of Owatonna ; John H. Morse, of 
Deerfield ; and Hugh Murray, of Lemond. 
On the 6th of January Hugh Murray pre- 
sented his resignation, and J. O Waumett, of 
Meriden, was appointed by a board, which, 
according to law, consisted of the county 
auditor, judge of probate and register of 
deeds. 

January 4, 1876, at the regular annual 
meeting, Geo. B. Hall, of Owatonna, was 
elected chairman, the associate members 
being A. B. Clark, of Blooming Prairie ; 
John H. Morse, of Deerfield ; E. L. Scoville, 
of Meriden ; and John Q. Ellis, of Owatonna. 
January 6, Eev. George C. Tanner was 
appointed county superintendent of schools 
for the ensuing year. 

The following were the members of the 
board for the year 1877 : George B. Hall, 
chairman ; A. B. Clark, of Blooming Prairie ; 
J. O. Waumett, of Meriden ; John H. Morse, 
of Deerfield ; and John Q. Ellis, of Owatonna. 
In March of this year it was again decided 
to submit to the voters the question of issuing 
$10,000 bondsof the county for the purpose 
of erecting a jail, as the project had been 
unsuccessful before. This time the matter 
was accomplished, and at the next meeting, 
on June 25, the chairman of the board was 
authorized to issue bonds of the county in 
that amount. This loan was negotiated 
through Dr. McCutcheon, of Faribault. The 
bonds were to bear interest at the rate of 
9 per cent and were payable in one and two 
years. 

On New Year's day, the board met in 
annual session for 1878. At this time it was 
composed of John Q. Ellis, of Owatonna, 
chairman ; Geo. B. Hall, of Owatonna ; John 
O. Waumett, of Meriden ; W. P. Francis, 
of Medford ; and Andrew Erdmann, of 
Havana. 

In 1879 the board consisted of John Q. 
Ellis, of Owatonna, chairman ; W. P. Francis, 



of Medford ; A. Erdmann, of Havana ; J. 
O. Waumett, of Meriden ; a)id E. Donaldson, 
of Owatonna. 

In 1880 the following were members of 
the board of commissioners : J. Q. Ellis, chair- 
man ; Andreas Erdmann, of Havana ; W. 
P. Francis, of Medford ; E. Donaldson, of 
Owatonna ; and Oscar Murphy, of Lemond. 
In March, 1880, a committee, consisting of 
Commissioners Erdmann, Francis and Mur- 
phy, was appointed to view sites and report 
on the advisability of the county's purchas- 
ing a poor farm. This, however, did not 
seem to aid in arriving at a conclusion, for 
in January, 1881, Commissioners Murphj"^ 
and Eggleston were appointed a committee 
to look into the same matter. 

The following were members of the board 
in 1881 : J. Q. Ellis, of Owatonna, chair- 
man ; Oscar Murphy, of Lemond ; Edward 
Donaldson, of Owatonna ; Jesse Healej^ of 
Somerset ; and W. A. Eggleston, of Merton. 
In July of this year the county Avas re- 
divided into commissioners' districts, as fol- 
lows: First district to embrace Meriden, Le- 
mond, Berlin and Summit ; second district, 
Havana, Somerset, Aurora and Blooming 
Prairie; third district, Deerfield, Medford, 
Merton and Chnton Falls; fourth district, 
Owatonna Township and second ward of 
the city ; fifth district, first, third and fourth 
wards of the citJ^ Commissioner Donaldson 
presented a minority report opposing this 
change in commissioners' districts, in which 
he stated " that the only apparent advantage 
gained was a political one." 

The board for 1882, which convened in an- 
nual session on January 3, was composed 
of John Q. Ellis, of Owatonna, chairman ; 
Oscar Murphy, of Lemond ; W. A. Eggle- 
ston, of Merton ; Jesse Healey, of Somerset ; 
and H. Schmidt, of Owatonna. Early in 
February Mr. Ellis died and Elias Scannel 
was appointed fcommissioner to fill the va- 
cancy. On February 15 Oscar Murphy was 
elected chairman for the balance of the year. 

During the year 1883 the following gen- 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



35 



tlemen made up the board of commissioners : 
Oscar Murphy, "of Lemond, chairman ; Jesse 
Healey, of Somerset ; W. A. Eggleston, of 
Merton ; H. Schmidt, of Owatonna ; and 
Elias Scannel, of Owatonna. 

On the 1st of January, 1S84, the board 
again met in annual session, being then com- 
posed of the following members : Oscar 
Murphy, of Lemond, chairman ; E. Scannel, 
of Owatonna; H. Schmidt, of Owatonna; 
Jesse Healej', of Somerset; and C. M. Finch, 
of Clinton Falls. At this time the board 
decided to submit to the voters of the 
county the question of issuing bonds of 
Steele County in the sum of $35,000 for 
the purpose of erecting a court house. 
It was to be submitted at the next general 
election. In Januarj', 1884, the county cor- 
oner removed from the county and the Ijoard 
appointed Dr. J. L. Harrington to fill the 
vacancy so caused. 

In January, 1885, Oscar Murphy, of Le_ 
mond, was again elected chairman, his asso. 
elates being Jesse Healey, of Somerset ; C. 



M. Finch, of Clinton Falls ; G. W. Kinyon, 
of Owatonna Township ; and L. L. Bennett, 
of Owatonna city. 

The board of commissioners for 1886 was 
composed of Oscar Mui'phy, of Lemond, 
chairman ; Jesse Ileale}', of Somerset; C. M. 
Finch, of Clinton Falls ; G. "W. Kinyon, of 
Owatonna Township ; and L. L. Bennett, of 
Owatonna city. 

For the present year — 1887 — the follow- 
ing gentlemen comprise the county board : 
Herman Schmidt, of Owatonna, chairman ; 
John Virtue, of Clinton Falls ; II. L. Zwie- 
ner, of Blooming Prairie ; Theo. Chambers, 
of Berlin ; and G. W. Kinyon, of Owatonna 
Township. In January, 1887, Eev. G. C. 
Tanner resigned the office of county superin- 
tendent of schools, and J. D. Brown was ap- 
pointed. 

This completes the history of the board of 
county commissioners, and gives a full and 
complete list of the members, interwoven 
with a brief mention of their most interest- 
ing actions. 




CHAPTER VI. 



CEEATION AND OKGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS. 




HEN Steele County was organized 
in August, 1855, as has alread}^ 
been stated, it embraced all of the 
territory now forming Waseca 
County, and the two western tiers 
of townships now included in 
Steele. On the first day of Aug- 
ust, 1855, the board of county 
commissioners met for the first 
etim, and their first work was to 
divide the county into townships, or pre- 
cincts, as they were then called.* The terri- 
tory which now comprises Waseca County 
was divided into two townships — Swave- 
sey and LeSeuer — and the later changes 
of boundaries of these are given at length 
elsewhere in this volume. Only one town- 
ship was created in what is now Steele 
County. This was named Owatonna. It 
embraced all of the county as it was then 
formed, or all of the present county except 
the east tier of townships — Merton, Havana, 
Aurora and Blooming Prairie, which then 
formed a part of Dodge County. In Owa- 
tonna Township it was ordered that the first 
township meeting should be held at the 
schoolhouse in Owatonna, and Dexter Carl- 
ton, Obed Gaines and Leonard F. Case were 
ajipointed judges of the fii'st election. 

On the 25th of August, 1855, Medford 
Township was created, comprising the ter- 
ritory now included in the townships of 
Medford, Clinton Falls and Deerfield (town 
108, ranges 20 and 21), which liad been 
included up to that time in Owatonna Town- 



*[A11 throus-h the early records these civil subdivisions 
were termed precincts, but we shall liere refer to them as 
townships, the name having- boon changed by an act of the 
lejfislature.— Editor.] 



ship. The first meeting was to be held at 
the house of William Colling, " on the west 
side of the road leading to Owatonna," and 
F. F. Adams, William Allen and Orlando 
Bartholomew were appointed judges of the 
first election. 

In this shape the county remained until 
the meeting of the board on the 7th of April, 
1856, when, in addition to several changes 
being made in the territory now comprising 
Waseca County, Franklin Townshi]) was cre- 
ated, embracing township 108, range 19, and 
the east half of township 108, range 20 — 
thus taking eighteen sections from Medford 
Township. It was also orilered that Owa- 
tonna Township should comprise all of the 
county south to "the township line between 
townships 107 and 108 — the south three- 
fourths of the county. Officers were ap- 
pointed as follows : Owatonna Township, 
Hiram Robinson, constable, and Philo San- 
ford, Parker Carlton and Luther Iluntly, 
judges of election. Franklin Township, S\'l- 
vester McNitt, justice of the peace ; F. New- 
land, constable ; William Allen and G. O. 
Hankerson, judges of election — first election 
to be held at the house of Sylvester McNitt. 
In Medford Township, Eev. O. A. Thomas, 
Isaac Sanborn and Smitli Johnson were 
selected as judges of the first election, which 
it was provided should be held at the house 
of William W. Finch. 

Thus the county remained for about one 
year, or until April B, 1857, when a general 
rearrangement was made and every con- 
gressional or government township in the 
county was set off and given a name as a 
civil township. In the meantime, in Feb- 
ruary, 1856, the eastern tier of townships 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



37 



(range 19) had been set off from Dodge and 
annexed to Steele ; and, on the 27th of Feb- 
ruary, 1857, the legislature passed an act 
creating "Waseca County of the west half of 
what tlien formed Steele County. These 
changes arranged county lines as they are at 
the present time. The following is a list of 
the townships created at that time, and the 
officers appointed to attend to the organiza- 
tion of each. 

Owatonna embraced township 107, range 
20. Geo. W. Green, P. P. Carlton and 
James F. Hall were made judges of election, 
and J. W. Burch and Hiram Eobinson, con- 
stables. 

Medford was organized of township 108, 
range 20. W. W. Wilkins, Smith Johnson, 
Jr., and W. W. Finch were appointed judges 
of election ; Charles Jones, constable, and 
Orlando Bartholomew, supervisor of roads. 
The house of Smith Jolinson, at Medford, 
was designated as the place for holding the 
first election. 

Union Prairie embraced township 108, 
range 19. John Colburn, C. W. Curtis and 
M. J. Kimball were appointed judges of elec- 
tion ; C. W. Curtis, justice of the peace, and 
John A. Pierce, road supervisor. The first 
town meeting was ordered held at the house 
of C.W. Curtis. 

Somerset was comprised of township 106, 
range 20. The house of Thomas Kenyon 
was designated as the place for holding the 
first township meeting, and T. C. S. Minthorn, 
Orlando Lebarr, and T. J. Clark were ap- 
pointed judges of the first election. 

Meriden embraced township 107, range 21, 
as at the present day. Ashley C. Harris, E. 
Ash and H. S. Clement were appointed judges 
of election; William Webster and M. T. C. 
Flowers to some office not mentioned in the 
records; Daniel Poole and J. L. Greene, con- 
stables; William Webster, Christopher Walk- 
er and Asiiley C. Harris, road supervisors. 
The house of William Webster was selected 
as the place for holding the first election. 

Deerfield was formed of township 108, 



range 21. Washington Morse's house was 
designated as the place for holding the first 
township election. The officers appointed 
were as follows : D. H. McQuestion, Isaac 
Coe and Washington Morse, judges of elec- 
tion; Washington Morse and Charles Burch, 
justices of the peace ; Elias F. Hobough and 
Benjamin Gypson, constables, and D. H. 
McQuestion, road supervisor. 

Township 107, range 19, now known as 
Havana, was then given the name of Lafay- 
ette. Eobert Adair, Charles McCarty and 
George Dennis were appointed judges of 
election ; Elisha Eldred and Newton Parker, 
justices of the peace; W. Hammond and 
Hugh Burns, constables, and James M. Soper, 
road supervisor. 

Aurora embraced township 106, range 19. 
Amos Coggswell, George W. Grimshaw and 
Stephen Sargeant were appointed judges of 
election, and George W. Grimshaw, road 
supervisor. The house of A. B. Clark was 
selected as the place for holding the first 
township election. 

Berlin was organized embracing township 

105, range 21. M. Warren, Charles Brown 
and Ashbell Ingerson were ap]3ointed judges 
of election ; M. B. Winchell, constable, and 
Lewis B. Tilden, road supervisor. The 
house of Hiram Pitcher was designated as 
the place for holding the first election. 

Summit embraced township 105, range 20. 
The place for holding the first election was 
designated as the house of George W. Kna])p. 
Thomas Bennett, George W. Kuapp and 
John Aldrich were appointed judges of elec- 
tion ; George W. Knapp, justice of the peace, 
and Thomas Bennett, road supervisor. 

Lemond Township was formed of township 

106, range 21. William Parcher, Sandford 
Kinney and C. B. Coon were appointed 
judges of the first election ; William Parcher, 
justice of the peace ; Jerome B. Coon, consta- 
ble, and E. D. Teed, road supervisor. Twi- 
ford Mills was the place designated for hold 
ing the first election. 

Township 105, range 19, was set off at this 



38 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



time as Oak Glen, but this was not organized 
until some time later. 

It seems as though this division of town- 
ships was, from some cause, incomplete or ille- 
gal, for in April, 1858, the board of county 
commissioners again took up the matter. 
The record states that " an act of the legis- 
lature, directing the division of counties into 
townships, and for the purpose of township 
organization, having been brought to the 
notice of the board, it is ordered that Steele 
County be reorganized into townships." By 
their action at that time Oak Glen Township 
was attached to Aurora, and Medford Town- 
ship was divided by the organization of the 
south half of township 108, range 20, under 
the name of Clinton Falls, leaving both 
Medfoi-d and Clinton Falls 'Townships as 
they remain to-day. This, it was stated " was 
in accordance with the unanimous request of 
the legal voters of Clinton Falls by petition, 
verified by the affidavit of Geo. W. Green." 
Aside from these alterations, the townships 
remained as they had been previously set 
off. 

In September, 1858, the name of Lafay- 
ette Township was changed to Freeman. 
At the same time the State auditor notified 
the boai'd of county commissioners that the 
name of Berlin should be changed, as there 
was another township of that name in the 
State ; but the board answered that it was 
the unanimous wish of the citizens to retain 
that name on account of having a postoffice 
of the same name, and it was therefore 
allowed to stand. On the 11th of the 
same month the name of Union Prairie 
Township was changed to Orion in accord- 
ance with the vote of the citizens. 



On the 13th of October, 1858, the name 
of Freeman Township was changed to 
Dover, as there was already a township of 
that name in the State. 

No further change in the townships took 
place until January, 1862, when the name 
of Orion was changed to Lyon, and almost 
immediately again changed to Merton which 
it still bears. 

In March, 18G7, authority was given for 
the organization of Oak Glen, which had 
been connected with Aurora. 

In 1869 the name of Dover Township was 
changed to Havana, under which name it 
has since remained. 

In January, 1873, the name of township 
105, range 19, was changed from Oak Glen 
to Blooming Prairie. 

This completes the history of the changes 
of boundaries of the townships in Steele 
County. In the various townsliij) histories 
will be found the detailed history of their 
organization. All these changes have finally 
brought the townships of the county to the 
shape in which we now find them. The fol- 
lowing table will show the territory em- 
braced by the various townships, summing 
up the changes traced above : 

Merton, township 108, range 19. 

Medford, north half of township 108, range 20. 

Clinton Falls, south half of township 108, range 20. 

Deerfield, township 108, range 21. 

Meriden, township 107, range 21. 

Owatonna, township 107, range 30. 

Ilavanna, township 107, range 19. 

Aurora, township 100, range 19. 

Somerset, township 106, range 20. 

Lemond, township 106, range 21. 

Berlin, township lO."), range 21. 

Summit, township 105, range 20. 

Blooming Prairie, township 105, range 19. 




CHAPTER VII. 



OTIIEE OFFICIAL MATTEES. 



yiEST INSTRUMENTS RECORDED. 




HEN the settlement of Steele 
County commenced, the territory 
now comprising it formed a part 
of Kice County, and all deeds, 
mortgages and other official doc- 
uments were taken to Faribault 
for record. This was continued 
for some time after Steele was 
really organized. In 1856, how- 
ever, D. Shaw, under authoritj' 
of the board of count}' commis- 
sioners of Steele County, made a 
transcript of all papers relating to this county 
which had been filed in Eice, and they were 
put on record in Steele County. 

The first mortgage that appears in the 
Steele County records bears the date of March 
18, 1856. It runs from Charles Jones to 
Benjamin B. Eichards, and for a considera- 
tion of $56 covers the west half of the south- 
east quarter of section 10 and the northwest 
quarter of the northeast quarter of section 1 5, 
township 108, range 20. The witnesses were 
G. W. Curtis and Thomas E. Bennett. 

The first deed upon the record books of 
the county is dated January 10, 1856. In 
consideration of $70, Lucius Lewis deeds to 
D. B. Selleck the northeast quarter of the 
southwest quarter of section 2, township 107, 
range 20. 

POPULATION. 

The first census in which Steele County' 
figured was that of 1857, according to which 
the total population of the county was 2,598, 
made up of 1,981 born in the United States 



and 617 foreigners. 



The following are some 



of the items given in the census returns: 
males, 1,496; females, 1,102; farmers, 716; 
mei-chants and mechanics, 108. The various 
townships were populated as follows : 

Owatonna 614 

Medf ord 440 

Union Prairie (Merton) 336 

Lafayette (Havana) 232 

Somerset 307 

Meriden 193 

Berlin 193 

Deertield 192 

Aurora 138 

Lemond 96 

Summit 45 

Oali Glen (Blooming Prairie) 22 

Total 3,598 

The census of 1860 gave Steele County a 
population of 2,863, of which 2,256 were na- 
tive born and 607 foreign. 

In 1865, according to the school census, 
the county had a total population of 4,932 
persons. 

In 1870 the total population had grown to 
8,271. Of this number 6,088 were born in 
the United States, and 2,183 in foreign coun- 
tries. 

The school census was again taken in 1875. 
At that time the county had 10,739 inhabit- 
ants. 

The United States census of 1880 gave 
Steele a total population of 12,460. Of this 
number 8,576 were native born ; and 3,884 
foreign born ; 32 were colored ]5eople. The 
population of the various townships was as 
follows : 

Aurora 600 

Berlin 683 



39 



40 



lllSTOK'i- OK BTP'.KLK COUNTY. 



IJIooiiiing I'laiiii! 563 

Blooming I'laiiic Village 338 

Clintou Falls 503 

Decrficld 858 

Havana 851 

Lemond 648 

Mcdford 761 

Meriden 800 

Merlon 750 

Owatonna City 3,161 

Owatonna Township 584 

Somerset 811 

Summit • 530 



Total 12,400 

The school census, taken in 1885, gave 
the county a total population of 12,733. 
There were 2,251 families : (5,277 males, and 
G,441 females. The total was divided among 
the various townslii])s as follows: 

Aurora 727 

Berlin 707 

Blooming I'rairie 626 

Blooming Pruirie Village 366 

Clinton Falls 477 

Deerficld 863 

Havana 865 

Lemond O'JS 

Mcdford 087 

Meriden 833 

Merton 670 

Owatonna,City 3,280 

Owatonna Township 550 

Somerset 833 

Summit 551 



Total. 



12,733 



KEAI. AND I'K 



KSONAI. VALUES IN 1861. 



In 1861 the real and personal property 
assessment was as follows : 



ACHKS. 

Owatonna 21,467 

Dover 14,836 

Aurora 19,335 

Orion 17,919 

Somerset 15,314 

Clinton 10,215 

Decrfield 15,943 

Lemond 11,700 

Summit 8,700 

Berlin 10,108 

Mcdford 17,080 

Meriden 19,749 



TOTAL VALUATION, 
IlKAI. AND ri'.HSONAI. 

$124,083.85 
43,252.00 
33,431.80 
53,433.05 
30,03.5.50 
35,303.00 
33,825.00 
27,213.00 
1 7,100.00 
26,184.50 
52,744.00 
59,412.50 



VALUES FROM 1861 TO 1886. 

As a matter of interest, and to show the 
growth of assessed values of personal prop- 
erty in the county, the following statistics 
are presented of the amount of personal 
])i'(jperty returned each year for the past 
twenty -six years : 

1861 $ 82,666 

1803 

1804 

1805 

1806 

1867 

1868 

1809 

1870 

1871 

1872 



115,103 

230,944 

283,706 

387,230 

522,463 

598,204 

560,817 

5.54,869 

551,770 

566,967 

1873 589,246 



1874 $ 703,005 

1875 1,001,133 

1876 1,043,155 

1877 1,001,103 

1878 1,056,254 

1879 987,039 

1880 903,027 

1881 1,014.383 

1882 1,000,271 

1883 1,170,900 

1884 1,134,661 

1885 1,117,530 



Total 183,165 $536,769.38 



1886 1,118,534 

PRESENT VALUES. 

The total assessed value of real and per- 
sonal jiroperty in Steele County, in 1886, 
was $4,590,332. 

The ])ersonal ]iro]>erty assessment was 
$1,118,534. This amount was divided anujng 
the various townships and villages of the 
county as follows : 

Blooming Prairie Village $ 51,923 

Blooming Prairie 46,504 

Summit 33,546 

Berlin 53,365 

Aurora 48,420 

Somerset 65,199 

Lemond 49,732 

Havana 53.003 

Owatona 40,256 

Owatonna City 405,436 

Meriden 61,043 

Merton 50,604 

Mcdford 57,613 

Clinton Falls 33,997 

Deertield 58,204 

The real-estate assessment for 1886 gave 
Steele County a total assessed value of 
$3,477,798, as fixed by the board of ecjuali- 
zation. This included the value of improve- 
ments, but not of personal ]iropei-ty. The 
average assessed value of lands, exclusive of 
improvements, was fixed at $9.34 per acre. 
The total number of acres assessed, exclusive 



HISTOKY OK STKKLK COUNTY. 



41 



of town lots, was 267,512, of which amount 
109,151 acres were improved, and 153,4:86 
were unimproved. 

In 1886 the average rate of taxation 
throughout Steele ^County was ISIb mills 
on the dollar. The total taxes levied tluit 
year was |63,000.1S. Of this amount $5,- 
948.89 was for State purposes and the 
balance for county, school, city and town- 
ship. 

CROPS. 

The following statement, showing the 
crops sown and raised in Steele County in 
1886, will give a very clear idea of the diver- 
sity with which agriculture is pursued here : 

ACHEAQE. VIELD. ^%]^'l^^l 

Wheat 58,118 733,746 13 

Oats 15,163 487,896 33 

Corn 10,930 300,110 28 

Barley 3,337 55,771 25 

Ilye 19 233 13 

Buckwheat 33 325 10 

Potatoes 359 57,133 33 

Beans 9 207 23 

Sugar-cane 36 2,984 114 

Cultivated Ilay 4,091 7,481 tons 

Flax '. 96 1,300 13 

Other Products 170 



Total 88,435 

Wild Hay.. 30,8.50 tons. Tobacco.... 273 lbs. 

Timothy... 527 bushs. Wool 17,183 " 

Clover.".... 852 " Butter .... 379,875 " 

Apples 533 " Cheese 159,184 " 

Honey 73,011 " 

In 1886 the acreage sown to the various 
crops was as follows : 



Oats 15,9.57 

Barley 3,919 

Buckwheat 41 

Flax 300 



acreage cultivated in 18S6 was 



Wheat .53,993 

Corn. 11,886 

Rye 39 

Potatoes 589 

Total 
90,625 aicres. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The first school district in the county — 
or No. 1 — was set off on the 7th of April, 
1856. It embraced sections 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 
15, 16 and 17, townsliip 107, range 20. Dis- 
tricts Nos. 2 and 3 were created at the same 
time, the former being located in township 
107, range 20, and the latter being located in 



township 108, ranges 19 and 20. Up to 
February, 1857, there had been thirteen 
school districts organized. In 1886 thei'e 
were eighty-three organized school districts 
in the county. 

The first school in the county was taught 
on the present site of the city of Owatonna 
in the summer of 1855, by Miss Helen IIol- 
brook. 

As this volume goes to press County 
Supt. Brown has just completed his 
report showing the condition of schools in 
1886. According to it there were 3,701 
cliildren of school age in the county, includ- 
ing Owatonna. Outside of Owatonna there 
were 3,601 entitled to apportionment and 
144 not entitled to apportionment. The 
number enrolled between the ages of five 
and eight years was 795 ; between the ages 
of eight and sixteen, 2,484 ; and between the 
ages of sixteen and twenty -one, 427. The 
number between the ages of eight and six- 
teen that attend school sixty days, or a term 
of tliree months, was 1,781. Six new school- 
houses were built during the year, valued at 
$2,545. The teachers employed during the 
winter term were twenty-eight males and 
fifty -three females ; during the summer term, 
six males and sixty-six females. The value 
of school buildings was estimated at $35,050, 
and of furniture at $3,193. None of these 
statistics include the Owatonna schools. 
There were fourteen female teachers in the 
city schools. The Owatonna school build- 
ings were valued at $40,000 and tlic fur- 
niture at $2,500. 

EARLY MARRIAGE LICENSE RECORD. 

The first marriage that appears on tJie 
record books of this county was s(jlemnized 
on the 10th of November, 1856, more 
tlian thirty years ago. The parties were 
Smith Johnson, Jr., and Sabrina Wilkins. 
The marriage ceremony was i)erformed by 
Rev. O. A. Thomas. Mr. Johnson is still a 
prominent resident of Steele County, living 
at Medford. There are many amusing anec- 
dotes connected with some of the earlier 



42 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



weddings, most of which find their proper 
places in the various township histories. 
How the rustic, blushing bride left the 
kitchen, unbuckled her apron, and throwing 
on her sunbonnet, climbed into the lumber 
wagon and started off with John, who had 
his pants in his boots and overalls on, for 
their wedding tour, to hunt up the " squire " 
and get "jined." An incident is called to 
mind which is unlocated and cannot properly 
be placed in any of the townships. It is said 
on one occasion, way back in the '50's, a 
country couple made their way to one of the 
villages in the county, in quest of some one 
who was authorized to tie the hymeneal 
knot. They went to a young storekeeper, 
who, in the way of a joke, referred them to 
the postmaster, stating that the government 
authorized him to officiate on such occasions. 
When the postmaster was seen he disclaimed 
any knowledge of such authority, and said 
that he had only been in the government 
employ for a short time and was not yet 
" quite up to snuff," but if the merchant said 
he could he supposed it was so. Accordingly 
the couple were ranged u]) in front of the 
postmaster, wlio, in the most approved style 
impressed them with the solemnity of the 
occasion, warned thism to " let no man put 
asunder what he had joined," and in closing 
pi'onounced them Mr. and Mrs., etc., accord- 
ing to the postal laws of the United States. 
"And you may go in peace ; only one dollar 
apiece, please." 

It would doubtless be of interest to many 
to give the record of marriages for the first 



ten years of the county's existence, but they 
are too numerous ; therefore, we give only 
the first two years, as taken from the record 
in the office of the clerk of the court. 

Benjamin A. Freeman and Sarah Ring, by 
Rev. O. A. Thomas, November, 1856. 

William Williamson and Lucretia Finch, 
by Rev. O. A. Thomas, December, 1856. 

Geo. H. Robbins and Abigail Presby, by 
Addison Phelps, justice of the peace, Novem- 
ber, 1856. 

Friday Wupshal and Julia Grehring, by 
Addison Phelps, justice of the peace, Decem- 
ber, 1856. 

Hiram Robinson and Harriet Town, by A. 
Town, evangelist, in 1857. 

Jacob Yonker and Mina Mundt, April, 
1857. 

John G. Truesdell and Elvira Watrous, 
December, 1857. 

Chas. M. Williamson and Mary V. Morri- 
son, November, in 1857. 

Peter Joliannsen and Ann Schimek, Jan- 
uary, 1858. 

John H. Force and Martha Howe, Janu- 
ary, 1858. 

Emory M. Geatchell and Sarah O. Run- 
nels, February, 1858. 

John Moon and Margaret Meek in Feb- 
ruary. 

Loren B. Town and Naomi L. Stoughton 
in April. 

Charles B. Baker and Louisa M. Lane in 
April. 

Franklin Hickok and Elizabeth McCaslin 
in May, 1858. 




CHAPTER VIII. 



NATIONAL AND STATE REPEESENTATION. 



C0NGBES9I0NAL. 




XTIL Minnesota became a State 
it had only one representative in 
tlie halls of Congress — a territo- 




p^l rial deleo-ate who was allowed to 



speak but not vote. The jfirst ter- 
ritorial delegate from Minnesota 
was Henry H. Sibley, who served 
from January 15, 1849, to Decem- 
ber 5, 1S53. He was succeeded 
by Henry M. Rice, who served 
until December 7, 1857. W. W. 
Kingsbury was elected to succeed 
Eice, and served until December 
6, 1858. On the 23d of February, 
1857, the United States Senate 
passed an act authorizing the jieople of Min- 
nesota to form a constitution preparatory to 
their admission to the Union. In accordance 
with the provisions of this enabling act a 
constitutional convention was held on July 
13, 1857, at the territorial capital. On the 
13th of October, 1857, an election was held, 
when the constitution was adopted and a full 
list of State officers was elected. Three 
congressmen were also elected at this time 
— George L. Becker, W. W. Phelps and J. 
M. Cavanaugh — but it was afterward found 
that Minnesota was only entitled to two 
congressmen, and the matter was amicably 
adjusted by the withdrawal of the first- 
named, Mr. Becker. By this election Messrs. 
Phelps and Cavanaugh became the first 
members of Congress from the State of 
Minnesota. 

In the winter of 1857-8 the legislature 
divided the State into two congressional dis- 



tricts, the southern part becoming the first 
district and the northern part the second 
congressional district — -Steele County be- 
coming, therefore, a part of the first district. 
At the election held in the fall of 1859, Will- 
iam Windom was elected congressman from 
the first district, his opponent being C. 
Graham, a Democrat. Tlie vote, including 
the whole State, stood : Windom, 21,016 ; 
Graham, 17,417 ; majority, 3,599. 

William Windom was a native of Ohio, 
born in Belmont County, May 10, 1827. He 
studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1850, 
and in 1853 was elected prosecuting attorney 
for Knox County. In 1854 he came to Min- 
nesota and settled at Winona, which city 
has since been his home. In 1859 he was 
elected to Congress as stated and was re- 
elected in the years 1860, 1862, 1864 and 
1866. Since his service in the lower House 
of Congress, he has twice been elected to 
the United States Senate, and was appointed 
Secretary of the United States Treasury by 
President Garfield in 1881. 

In the fall of 1868, M. S. Wilkinson was 
elected congressman from the first district 
to succeed Mr. Windom, and served two 
years. Mr. Wilkinson was a lawyer who 
was then living at Mankato, who had been 
very jirominent in all public matters. He 
was among the earliest settlers of the State, 
having located here in 1847, and had repre- 
sented Minnesota for one term in the United 
States Senate — elected December 15, 1859, 
and serving until 1865. After his term of 
office as congressman expired, he served one 



43 



44 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



term in the State Senate from Blue Earth 
County. Subsequently he removed to Wells, 
in Faribault County, where he still lives. 

Hon. Mark II. Bunnell, of Owatonna, suc- 
ceeded Mr. AVilkinson as congressman from 
the first district, and served for twelve con- 
secutive years. Mr. Bunnell has for years 
been an honored citizen of Steele County 
and we herewith present a biographical 
sketch of his life : 

Hon. Mark Hill Bunnell is a son of Sam- 
uel Bunnell, a farmer, and Achsah Hill, and 
was born in Buxton, Me., on the 2d of 
July, 1823. His great-great-grandfather 
came from Scotland, while the HiUs were of 
English descent. Mark H. spent his minoritj^ 
upon his father's farm, attending the district 
school and different academies during such 
seasons of the year as were least pressed 
with work, finishing his studies preparatory 
for college under private tuition, and secur- 
ing with his own hands, the means for his 
entire education after leaving the district 
school. He was graduated from Waterville 
College, now Colby University, in 1849, and 
for two years was principal of Norway Lib- 
eral Institute, and then for three years of 
Hebron Academy, both in his native State. 
The latter was a school of high grade, in which 
especial attention was given to the classics 
and the preparation of young men for col- 
lege. Buring the three years that Mr. Bun- 
nell was at its head he thus fitted forty or 
fifty students and sent them to different col 
leges and universities in New England. 
Among tliese were Hon. Eugene Hale, now 
United States senator from Maine ; Hon. 
John B. Long, afterward lieutenant-gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts, now a member of 
Congress ; Rev. G. M. P. King, B. B., now 
president of Wayland Seminary, in Washing- 
ton, and a dozen other men of high standing- 
in the professions. 

In 1854 Mr. Bunnell was a member of the 
Lower House of the Legislature, and of the 
Up|)er House in the following year. In 1855, 
1857, 1858 and 1859 he was State superin- 



tendent of common schools, in Maine, being 
appointed by Gov. Anson P. Morrill and 
reappointed by Gov. Hannibal Hamlin. 
Wiiile Mr. Bunnell was teaching in the acad- 
emies already mentioned, he devoted his 
leisure time to the study of law, was 
admitted to the bar in 1856, practiced some 
that year and in 1860 opened a law office at 
Portland. In March of the following year, 
one month before the Civil War commenced, 
he was appointed United States consul to 
Vera Cruz, Mexico, and before entering upon 
his duties he asked a four months' delay in 
order that he might aid in raising the Fifth 
Regiment, Maine volunteers, of which he was 
chosen colonel. He reached Washington 
with his regiment in season to participate in 
the first battle of Bull Run. In October 
following, at the request of Secretary 
Seward, he entered upon his duties at Vera 
Cruz, which had become an outlying rebel 
city through which munitions of war were 
passing for Confederate use. On one occa- 
sion he was instrumental in detaining fifteen 
thousand stand of arms bound for Texas. 
For services of this kind, rendered while 
there, he received a letter of thanks from 
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State. 
Buring part of the time that he was at Vera 
Cruz, the Mexicans were resisting the 
Spanish, French and English alliance against 
Mexico, and when the governor of the State 
of Vera Cruz I'etired from the city to join 
the Mexican forces, he placed the keys of the 
government of the city in the hands of Con- 
sul Bunnell, he being the senior officer 
among the friendly powers. In 1862 Col. 
Bunnell resigned the office of consul, I'eturned 
to Maine and aided the governor in recruit- 
ing men and in the organization of the State 
militia, practicing his profession at the same 
time. In 1864 he was tendered the secre- 
taryship of the newly-formed territory of 
Montana, but declined to accept it. In Jan- 
uary, 1865, we find him located at Winona, 
and since that date he has l)een a citizen of 
Minnesota, having removed to Owatonna in 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COtlNTT. 



45 



June, 1867. He was a membei" of the House 
of Representatives in 1867, and at the close 
of the session was appointed (on the 2d of 
April, 1867) State Superintendent of Pubhc 
Instruction — an oflBce whic hhe held for three 
and one-third years, and the duties of which 
he performed with faitlifulness and ability, 
giving a fresh impetus to the cause of edu- 
cation in the " North Star State." He 
resigned the office of superintendent to take 
his place in Congress, to which he had been 
elected in the autumn of 1870. He was 
re-elected in 1872, 1874, 1876, 1878 and 1880, 
serving six consecutive terms in the House of 
Representatives — an honor never before con- 
ferred by the people* of Minnesota. His 
renomination the fourth time — an act done 
by acclamation — was a subject of warm con- 
gratulation and much rejoicing on the part 
of his Republican friends all over the country. 
The press was made especially happy by the 
graceful act. The "Washington National 
Republican^ published where the untiring 
labors of Congressman Dunnell were wit- 
nessed, thus spoke in August, 1878, of his 
renomination : 

"We have already announced the renom- 
ination of Hon. Mark H. Dunnell for Con- 
gress in the first district of Minnesota. In 
this his constituents have honored them- 
selves, and at the same time have given 
proper recognition to valuable public service 
characterized by marked ability. This nom- 
ination is made more significant by the fact 
that it was unanimously bestowed. Mr. Dun- 
nell, during the period of years he has held a 
seat in the House of Representatives, has dis- 
tinguished his legislative career by abilities of 
a high order, both as a worker and debater. 
By a life of purity at the national capital 
and an unflae-ging devotion to the interests 
of his constituents and the country at large, 
he has won for himself a high degree of con- 
fidence and respect. His election is assured, 
and his return to Congress will be hailed with 
satisfaction by all who know Inm. He is a 
stalwart Republican." 



During the twelve years which Mr. Dun- 
nell spent in Congress he served upon the 
following committees of the house : Public 
lands, education and labor, claims, com- 
merce, Mississippi levees, expenditures in 
State department, four years upon the com- 
mittee on ways and means, and was also a 
member of the special committee to investi- 
gate the presidential election of 1S76 in the 
State of Florida. IS'o representative from 
Minnesota served his constituents with more 
fidelity, nor has any representative attained 
more prominence and influence in the House 
than Mr. Dunnell. 

In the XLlIId Congress an attack was 
made upon the Republic of Mexico, and 
Congressman Dunnell made a speech in 
which he gallantly defended that republic 
from what he regarded as an unwai'ranted 
assault. His speech was widely quoted, 
printed in full in all the Mexican journals, 
and he was made an honorary member of 
the Society of Geography and Statistics, the 
highest society of the kind in that reiuiblic, 
and hence the highest honor it was capable 
of bestowing. On the organization of the 
Forty-seventh Congress, Mr. Dunnell was 
urged for the speakership of the House of 
Representatives and had the support of the 
Republican caucus. His fitness for the place 
was conceded, but his views on the tariff 
given in the XLVIth Congress, in favor 
of reduction, were used against him and he 
was defeated. In 1868 Mr. Dunnell received 
the honorary degree of LL.D. from Shurtliflf 
Colles'e, one of the oldest institutions of 
learning in Illinois. 

He has been a member of the Republican 
party from its inception, and in 1856 was a 
delegate to the National Convention which 
nominated Gen. John C. Fremont. His la- 
bors in behalf of the party in the past have 
been earnest and unceasing, and in Congress 
he made a record in which his constituents 
as well as himself could take a just pride. 
As a speaker, both on the "stump" and in 
Congress, he was eif ecti ve and popular, and 



46 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



he has repeatedly spoken in- Maine, JSTew 
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, 
Virginia, New York, Connecticut, Illinois, 
Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

The cause of education has had no warmer 
friend in the ^reat Northwest than Mr. 
Dunnell. For ten years while a citizen of 
Maine he was a trustee of the Waterville 
College. And since his residence here, no 
educational movement has been made that 
has not received his hearty support and 
encouragement. Of the Pillsbury Academy, 
since its inception, he has been a member 
of the board of trustees, and in 1877, 1883-4 
and 1884-5 was president of the board. He 
was married to Sarah A. Parrington, Novem- 
ber 20, 1850. Five children were born to 
them: "Warren B., Nellie A., Fanny, Mark 
B. and Alice Maud. Nellie became the wife 
of Prof. C. "W. Hall ; she died in Germany in 
Februar^'^, 1876. Alice M. died in Owatonna 
in July, 1873, being nearly five years of age. 
Warren B., an architect, resides in Minne- 
apolis. Fanny is now the wife of H. R. Moore, 
Jr., and Mark B. is a graduate of- the Univer- 
sity of Pochester, N. Y., taught one year at 
Faribault, and is now a student at the Law 
School of Columbia College in New York 
City. 

In 1882 Milo White, of Chatfield, was 
elected to Congress from the first district. 
He was an old settler at Chatfield, and had 
been prominent in local politics for many 
years, serving his district in the State senate 
for several terms, and taking an active part 
upon the Republican side, in political mat- 
ters generally. He was re-elected to Con- 
gress in 1884, serving four years. Mr. White 
had been raised at and followed the mercan- 
tile business at which he had amassed a 
comfortable fortune. In 1886 he made a 
hard fight for renomination but was defeated 
by Hon. John A. Lovely, an able lawyer of 
Freeborn Count}^. 

At the polls Mr. Lovely was defeated by 
Judge Thomas Wilson, of Winona, the Dem- 
ocratic nominee — the first Democrat elected 



from this district since 1859. Mr. Wilson is 
an earh' settler in Winona Count3% where he 
has practiced law for nearh' a third of a 
century. He has served upon the district 
and supreme benches of the State, repre- 
sented Winona County in both branches of 
the legislature and in man\' \vays has taken 
a prominent part in State and local matters. 
As a lawyer he ranks among the ablest in 
the Northwest. 

The first district as it is now constituted 
is composed of the counties of Winona, 01m- 
stead, Steele, Wabasha, Houston, Fillmore, 
Mower, Dodge and Freeborn. 

REPRESENTATION IN TERRITORIAL AND STATE 
LEGISLATURES. 

Steele County was created on the 20th of 
February, 1855, by the sixth territorial 
legislature. At the same session the "ap- 
])ortionment of 1855 " was made, and ac- 
cording to this the territorial council was 
composed of fifteen and the House of thirtj'- 
eight members. Steele County became at 
once a part of the tenth council district 
which was composed of the counties of Steele, 
LeSueur, Faribault, Blue Earth, Brown, 
Nicollet, Sibley, Pierce and Renville. This 
district was entitled to elect one councilor 
and three representatives. 

The Vllth Legislature convened Jan- 
uary 2, and adjourned March 1, 1856. The 
tenth district was represented in the coun- 
cil by Charles E. Flandrau, and in the House 
by George A. McLeod, Parsons K. Johnson 
and Aurelius F. de LaVergne. Neither of 
these parties were residents of Steele County. 

The Vlllth Legislature convened January 
7 and adjourned March 7, 1857, and an extra 
session was held during the summer. P. P. 
Humphrey represented the tenth district in 
the council and O. A. Thomas, Joseph R. 
Brown and Francis Baasen in the House. 
This was the last session of the territorial 
legislature, as the territory became a State 
by the adoption of a constitution and elec- 
tion of State officers on the 13th of October, 
1857. Mr. Brown, above mentioned, lived 



HISTORY OF STEELE CO0NTT. 



4Y 



in the Minnesota Vallej' and liad been Indian 
agent for a number of years. Mr. Baasen 
belonged in New Ulm. Mr. Thomas was a 
resident of Steele County' who is mentioned 
elsewhere in this volume. 

The 1st State Legislature assembled on 
the 2d of December, 1S57, and finally ad- 
journed August 12, 1858, having held a spe- 
cial session. In the meantime the constitu- 
tion had reapportioned the State, and Steele 
and Waseca Counties (the latter had just 
been created) were associated together as the 
fifteenth senatorial district, whicli was en- 
titled to one senator and four representa- 
tives. According to this apportionment the 
Senate had thirty-seven and the House eighty 
members. At the first session of the State 
legislature the fifteenth disti-ict was repre- 
sented in the Senate by Lewis L. McCune, of 
"Waseca County, and in the House by Hiram 
M. Sheetz, George C. Pettie and Smith John- 
son. All of the representatives in the House, 
during this session, were residents of Steele 
County. Mr. Sheetz was the publisher of a 
paper at Owatonna. He had come here at 
an early day and remained until the time of 
his death. George C. Pettie was a resident 
of Aurora, and Smith Johnson, of Medford 
Township. Both are mentioned elsewhere. 

No session was held in the winter of 
1858-9, mainly owing to the protracted ses- 
sion of 1857-8, which was believed to render 
unnecessary another one following so soon. 

The lid Legislature assembled Decem- 
ber 7, 1859, and adjourned March 12, 1860. 
William F. Pettit had succeeded Mr. Mc- 
Cune in the Senate from the fifteenth and 
in the House were Amos Coggswell and G. 
W. Green from Steele County and G. T. 
White and J . I. Stewart from Waseca County. 
Amos Coggswell, of Steele County, was 
elected speaker of the House. At this ses- 
sion of the legislature the apportionment of 
1860 was made, and the number of members 
was cut down to twenty-one senators and 
forty-two representatives. In accordance 
with thi§ apportionment Steele, Waseca and 



Freeborn Counties were throVn together in 
forming the sixteenth district, which was 
entitled to one senator and two representa- 
tives. WiUiam F. Pettit, the senator from 
Steele County, was one of tlie founders of 
the city of Owatonna. Amos Coggswell 
and G. W. Green in the House were both 
lawyers from Steele County, and were both 
prominent and able men. It js said that 
Steele County has never, either before or 
since, sent a more able and influential dele- 
gation than it had in the lid Legislature. 
All of these parties are mentioned at length 
elsewhere. 

The Hid Legislature convened January 8, 
and adjourned March 8, 1861. George Wat- 
son represented the sixteenth district in the 
Senate, and William F. Pettit, of Steele 
County, and James E. Child, of Waseca 
County, were in the House. 

The IVth Legislature assembled Jan- 
uary 7, and adjourned March 7, 1862. The 
sixteenth district was represented at this 
session by A. B. Webber, of Freeborn County, 
in the Senate ; and P. C. Bailey and H. C. 
Magoon in the House. Mr. Bailey was a resi- 
dent of Waseca. II. C. Magoon was an early 
settler in Merton Township, Steele County. 

The Vth Legislature convened on the 6th 
of January, and adjourned on the 6th of 
March, 1863. M. A. Dailey, of Owatonna, 
was the senator, and Asa Walker, of Free- 
born County, and Philo Woodrufl', of Waseca 
County, were the representatives from the 
sixteenth district. Mr. Dailey is mentioned 
at length elsewhere in this volume. 

The Vlth Llegislature met on the 5th of 
January and adjourned on the 4th of March, 
1864. The sixteenth district at that session 
was represented by F. J. Stevens, of Steele 
County, in the Senate, and by Philo Wood- 
ruff, of Waseca Count}', and John L. Gibbs, 
of Freeborn County, in the House. 

F. J. Stevens, the senator at that time, was 
an early settler in Meriden Township, Steele 
County, havmg come from Massachusetts. 
He remained here for a number of years and 



48 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



then returned to his original home in the 
New England States. He held a number of 
offices at different times while here and was 
a prominent man in earl}' affairs. 

The Vllth Legislature assembled Jan- 
uary 3, and adjourned March 3, 18C5. B. A. 
Lowell, of Waseca County, had succeeded 
Mr. Stevens as senator from the sixteenth 
district, and in the House were J. B. Crooker. 
of Steele County, and John L. Gibbs, of 
Freeborn County. J. L. Gibbs, who was in 
the House at that time, has since become a 
jirominent figure in State politics and is now 
one of the State railroad commissioners. 

The Vlllth Legislature convened January 
2, and adjourned March 2, 186G. The six- 
teenth district was served in both Senate and 
House by the same representatives as in the 
seventh, except tliat John L. Gibbs had 
been succeeded in the House by Augustus 
Armstrong. By this legislature the re- 
apportionment of 1866 was mat.e, increas- 
ing the number of senators to twenty-two, 
and representatives to forty-seven. The 
sixteenth disti'ict remained the same as 
before, and was given, three instead of two 
representatives in the House, one for each 
county. 

The IXth Legislature convened January 8, 
and adjourned March 8, 1867. At this ses- 
sion Augustus Armstrong represented the 
sixteenth district in the Senate. The repre- 
sentatives were Dr. W. H. Twiford, of 
Steele County, and William Brisbane, and 
James E. Smith, of Waseca County. Au- 
gustus Armstrong, the senator during this 
session, was from Freeborn County, and was 
an able man. He afterward held the office 
of United States marshal for four years. 

Willis H. Twiford was born May 12, 1821, 
in Fayette County, Ohio. His mother died 
when he was seven years old, leaving ten 
children who were scattered, his father, 
Clement Twiford, being poor. Young Wil- 
lis at nine years old was sent to Marysville, 
Ohio, and placed in the family of Silvester 
Phelps, where he had the advantage of the 



common schools of that day, remaining there 
three years ; became quite efficient in spell- 
ing, reading, writing, English grammar and 
geography. At twelve years of age he was 
sent to West Canaan in Madison County, 
Ohio, for the purpose of learning the wagon- 
maker's trade with his brother, T. B. Twi- 
ford, but only remained with him about a 
year when he went to Pickaway County, 
Ohio ; attended school the following winter 
and in the spring of 1835 went to living with 
Smith B. Horsey, near Westfall. Here he 
remained until the fall of 1S38, working on 
the farm. At this time his father married 
Mrs. Hanna Beach, of Madison County, 
Ohio, when he was oi'dered liome, where he 
ver}' reluctantly went, having tlie usual 
prejudice against a step-mother. But this 
prejudice soon gave way to the most jii'o- 
found respect and filial affection and he now 
looks on that two or three years of home in- 
fluence as the awakening period to a higher 
plane of life. From 1838 until 1811 lie 
worked on the farm, attended school and 
taught in winter. In 1842 he entered the 
office of Dr. J. Sidney Skinner, of West 
Canaan, Ohio, and studied medicine, gradu- 
ating at the Starling Medical College of 
Columbus, Ohio. In 1845 he began tlie 
practice of medicine in Pleasant Valley (now 
Plain City), Ohio. April 29, 1846, he mar- 
ried Miss Nancy li., daughter of Jeremiah 
Dominy, Esq., of Madison County, Ohio. 
He remained in Pleasant Valley until 1853, 
when he removed to Union City, Ind., and 
was there actively engaged in the practice 
of his profession until the War of the Kebel- 
lion, when in May, 1861, he was commis- 
sioned surgeon of the Twenty-seventh liegi- 
ment Indiana Volunteers. He was engaged in 
all the prominent battles with the Army of the 
Potomac. Becoming distinguished as a sur- 
geon he was early in the war appointed chief 
operator of the First Division, Twelfth Army 
Corps. In 1863 the Eleventh and Twelfth 
Army Corps were consolidated and formed 
tlie Twentieth, commanded by Gen. Joseph 




/^^an^ A^Sl. 



U^CtA^lJ^ 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



51 



Hooker. Surgeon Twiford was appointed 
surgeon-in-chief of First Division on the staff 
of Gen. Wilhams. He was about this time 
severely injured by a fall and was granted 
leave of absence and in July reluctantly re- 
signed. About 1st September, 1864, he 
came with his family to Minnesota, settling 
on a farm in Somerset, Steele County, and 
remained until 1873 when he removed to 
Geneva, Freeborn County, where he now re- 
sides, actively engaged in the practice of his 
profession, being a member of the State 
Medical Society^ and also of the American 
Medical Association. The doctor often speaks 
of his step-mother's influence as shaping 
whatever there is exemplary in his whole life. 

Tlie Xth Legislature assembled January 
7, and adjourned March 6, 1868. Mr. Arm- 
strong was still in the Senate. In the House 
the sixteenth district was represented by 
William E. Kinyon, of Steele County ; J. E. 
Smith, of Freeborn, and George A. LaDow, 
of Waseca County. 

The Xlth Legislature convened January 
5, and adjourned March 5, 1869. The 
sixteenth district was represented by J. B. 
Crooker, of Steele County, in the Senate, 
and in the House by E. Easton, of Havana 
Township, Steele County ; W. Smith, of 
Waseca County, and Augustus Armstrong, 
of Freeborn County. J. B. Crooker, the 
senator from Steele in the Xlth Legisla- 
ture, figures prominently in the early history 
of Owatonna. He was originally from 
central New York, but came here from Cal- 
ifornia in 1856, and located in the county- 
seat. His brother, E. B. Crooker, came at 
about the same time. They had been en- 
gaged in mining in the West and had been 
very successful, as they were well off as to 
world's goods when they came. They 
bought an interest in what is known as the 
" five hundred acre " tract of land, and, after 
the Coburn failure in the winter of 1858-9, 
they engaged in the general merchandise 
business. They remained in this for a num- 
ber of years, and were then for a time en- 



gaged in the lumber trade, and finally re- 
moved to Minneapolis, where they soon 
failed and went through bankruptcy. 
E. B. Crooker is now running a dray line 
there, while J. B. is in the real-estate busi- 
ness. Both were active, energetic, wide-a- 
wake men ; industrious and enterprising 
and, while unsuccessful in the end through 
careless business methods, yet they were 
prominent factors in the early development 
of Steele County. 

Mr. Easton, the representative from 
Steele County in this session, is still a resi- 
dent of Owatonna. 

The Xllth Legislature convened January 
■i, and adjourned March ■!, 1870. J. B. 
Crooker, of Steele County, still represented 
the district in the Senate. In the House the 
district was served by H. W. EuUiffson, of 
Steele County; W. C. Young, of Waseca 
County, and A. C. Wedge, of Freeborn 
County. Mr. EuUiffson was an early settler 
in Summit Township, where he had a large 
farm. He finally removed to the western 
part of the State, where he still lives. 

The Xlllth Legislature assembled Jan- 
uary 8, and adjourned March 3, 1871. W. 
C. Y^oung, of Waseca County, had succeeded 
J. B. Crooker as senator from the sixteenth 
district, and in the House were F. B. Davis, 
of Steele County ; William Brisbane, of 
Waseca County, and A. C. Wedge, of Free- 
born County. This legislature made a 
reapportionment of the legislative districts 
in the State, which increased the number 
of senators to forty-one, and the number 
of representatives to 106. According to 
this apportionment Steele County alone 
became entitled to one senator and two rep- 
resentatives. The county was divided into 
two representative districts, as follows : 
No. 1 embraced the town and city of 
Owatonna, and the townships of Medford, 
Clinton Falls and Merton. No. 2 embraced 
all the balance of the county. F. B. Davis, 
the senator during this session, was an old 
settler in the northern part of the county, 



52 



HISTORY OF STKELE COUNTY. 



who afterward located in Meriden Township. 
He left the count}' a number of years ago. 

The XlVth Legislature assembled Jan- 
uary 2, and adjourned March 1, 1872. Amos 
Coggswell repi'esented Steele County, or the 
twelfth district, in the Senate. The county's 
representatives in the House were W. W. 
Wilkins and F. B. Davis. Messrs. Coggs- 
well and Wilkins are still honored residents 
of the count\\ 

The XVth Legislature convened on the 
7th of January, and adjourned on the 7th of 
March, 1873. Amos Coggswell again repre- 
sented Steele County in the Senate. W. W. 
Wilkins and A. Colquhoun were the repre- 
sentatives in the House. 

The XVIth Legislature assembled Janu- 
ary 6, and adjourned March 6, 1874. Amos 
Coggswell was again in the Senate from 
Steele County. In the House were C. S. 
Crandall and J. M. Sloan. These gentlemen 
are still living in the countv, except J. M. 
Sloan, who was an old settler in the south- 
ern part of the county, where he died several 
years ago. 

The XVIIth Legislature assembled Jan- 
uai'y 5, and adjourned March 5, 1875. 
Steele County was represented in the Senate 
by Amos Coggswell, and in the House b}' 
W. R. Kmyon and Hugh Murray. Mr. 
Kinyon was elected speaker of the House. 

The XVIITth Legislature assembled Jan- 
uary 4, and adjourned ]\Larch 3, 1876. At 
this session L. L. Wheelock succeeded Mr. 
Coggswell as senator from Steele County. 
In the House the delegation from Steele 
County was the same as in the seventeenth. 
Mr. Kinyon was again honored b}' being 
chosen speaker of the House. 

The XlXth Legislature convened Janu- 
ary 2, and adjourned March 2, 1877. L. L. 
Wheelock still represented Steele County in 
the Senate. In the House the county was 
represented by G-eorge W. Buffum and Wal- 
ter Muir. Senator Wheelock and Represent- 
ative Buffum are noticed at length else- 
where. Mr. Muir was a resident of Berlin 



Township, where he remained until a few 
3'ears ago. 

The XXth Legislature assembled Janu- 
ary 8, and adjourned March 8, 1878. At 
this time Steele County was represented in 
the Senate by Dr. E. M. Morehouse, of Owa- 
tonna, and in the House by G. W. Buffum 
and Walter Muir. 

The XXIst Legislature convened Jan- 
uary 7, and adjoui'ned March 7, 1879. W. 
W. Wilkins had succeeded Dr. Morehouse as 
senator from Steele Countj'. In the House 
the countv was represented by H. H. Rose- 
brock and H. M. Hastings. 

The XXIInd Legislature convened in 
regular session January 4, and adjourned 
March 4, 1881. An extra session was held 
during the same year. W. W. Wilkins was 
still senator from Steele County. In the 
House the representatives were H. H. Rose- 
brock and A. Colquhoun. 

This legislature made the apportionment 
of 1881. It fixed the number of senators at 
forty-seven, and of representatives at 103. 
In accordance with this apportionment Steele 
County retained its old district number — 
twelve ; but it was only to be entitled to one 
senator and one representative. After this 
time sessions were held biennially instead of 
annually. 

The XXIIIrd Legislature assembled Jan- 
uary 2, and adjourned March 2, 1883. A. 
C. Hickman, of Owatonna, had succeeded 
Mr. Wilkins as senator. In the House Steele 
County was represented by H. A. Finch. 

The XXIVth Legislature convened Jan- 
uary 6, and adjourned March 6, 1885. A. 
C. Hickman, of Owatonna, again represented 
Steele County in the Senate. James M. Bur- 
lingame was the representative of Steele 
County in the House. 

The XXVth Legislature convened in 
January and adjourned in March, 1887. 
Charles S. Crandall, the present senator 
from Steele County, represented the twelfth 
district in the Senate. In the House G. W. 
Buffum represented the county and still 



niSTOEY OF STEELE COHNTT. 



53 



holds the office of representative. A biog- 
raphy of Senator Crandall is presented in 
connection with the history of the city of 
Owatonna. We herewith append a biograph- 
ical sketch of the representative in the Lower 
House. 

Hon. George "W. Buff ura was born in Rich- 
mond, Cheshire County, N. H., June 3, 1834, 
where he spent his earlier years, receiving 
the schooling accessible in those days. In 
1848 he removed with his parents, settling in 
Sheboygan County, Wis. There he remained, 
attending school and farming, until shortly 
after the war broke out in 1861, when he 
enlisted in Company I, First Wisconsin Infan- 
try (Jolm C. Starkweather, colonel), as a pri- 
vate soldier. The regiment went to Louisville, 
Ky., and reported to Gen. W. T. Sherman, 
becoming a part of the Army of the Cumber- 
land. Later they were assigned to the Four- 
teenth Army Corps under Gen. Thomas. 
They remained at Louisville until the follow- 
ing February, when a move to Mumfordsville 
was made, and in that locality in their 
various skirmishes they saw their first fight- 
ing. The balance of the winter was spent at 
that point and then they were marched on 
to Bowling Green, which was evacuated by 
Gen. Buckner, Avho was in charge of the 
rebel forces. Gen. BueU had succeeded W. 
T. Sherman in the command of the Army of 
the Cumberland. The latter armj^ pro- 
ceeded to Nashville and from there on 
through Tennessee and into Alabama, guard- 
ing railroads, skirmishing and driving the 
Confederates under Bragg before them. 
Thus the major part of the summer was 
spent, until in September, when Bragg, 
whom they had been pushing, made a flank 
move and returned toward Louisville. Upon 
this turn of affairs our army also "faced 
about " and marched back to the city of 
Louisville, where they were heavily rein- 
forced and reorganized. As soon as the new 
troops could be assigned and the reorgani- 
zation perfected, they started in pursuit of 
Bragg, meeting him at Perryville, Ky., 



October 8, 1862, where a severe engagement 
took place. The First Wisconsin was in 
Maj.-Gen. McCook's Corps, Col. Stark- 
weather of this regiment commanding the 
brigade. The regiment went into the fight 
with about 400 men, and of this number 56 
were killed outright and over 100 wounded. 
The battle was a very severe one, and the 
losses on both sides were very heav3^ The 
losses were given in the army records as 
bemg: Union, 916 killed, 2,943 wounded 
and 489 missing; Confederate, 2,500 killed 
wounded and missing. Bragg retreated. The 
First Wisconsin continued under the same 
division and brigade commanders, but Gen. 
W. S. Rosecrans succeeded Buell in command 
of the army, and on the 31st of December, 
1862, began the battle of Murfreesboro', or 
Stone River, Tenn., the most important battle 
of the winter of 1862-3. The fighting con- 
tinued for three daj's, when the enemy evac- 
uated. The losses on both sides were again 
very heavy, but the casualties in the First 
Wisconsin were not quite so heavj^ as at 
Perryville. The forces, after this, remained 
at Murfreesboro' until the following June 
(1863), when orders came' from Washington 
to break camp and move on the enemy, 
which was immediately carried into execu- 
tion. They kept continually on the march, 
skirmishing and pressing the Confederates 
back until the 19th of September, 1863, when 
there occurred one of the most noted battles 
of the war, at Chickamauga, Ga. The 
First Wisconsin occupied the most perilous 
position and took a most active part in this, 
as they were at the head of the infantry 
forces, their colonel (Starkweather) being 
wounded, and their losses were very heavy. 
The subject of this sketch, Mr. Buffum, in 
the meantime had become first lieutenant of 
Company I, and here assumed command, as 
the captain was killed on the first fire. The 
Union forces were defeated at this battle 
and retreated to Chattanooga, Tenn., where 
the army was reorganized by Gen. Grant. 
On the second day of the battle, however, 



54 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



between sundown and dark, Mr. Buffum, 
together with about half of both his company 
and regiment, were taken prisoners of war 
and removed to Libby prison at Richmond, 
where they were kept for about eight 
months. From there they were taken to 
Danville and after a few days to Macon> 
Ga. There they were kept until the last 
of July, when 600 officers, including Mr. 
Buffum, were taken to Charleston, S. C, and 
held as a safeguard, to be sacrificed in retal- 
iation for anv serious damage that miffht 
accrue to the city if bombarded by the 
Union forces. They were kept there until 
some time in October, when the yellow fever 
broke out among the prisoners and they 
were removed to Columbia, S. C, where Mr. 
Buffum was exchanged on the 10th of 
December, 1864. He was finally mustered 
out as captain, December 19, 1864, his regi- 
ment in the meantime having been dis- 
charged. He at once returned to his Wis- 
consin home in Sheboygan County for the 
first time since his enlistment. 

On the 1st of the following January, 
1865, Mr. Buffum was married to Miss 
Ellen E. Putnam, a native of Maine, born 
June 19, 1844. In May, 1865, he made his 
first trip to Minnesota and purchased his 
present farm in Owatonna and Clinton Falls 
Townships, Steele County, removing to 
Owatonna in the following June, and has 
since made this county his home. From the 
time of his settlem ent here, nearly twenty 
three years ago, Mr. Buffum took a prom- 



inent part in public matters. He was elected 
a member of the board of county commis- 
sioners in 1869, and served until 1875, acting 
as chairman of that body a portion of the 
time. In 1876 he was elected representative 
from Steele County in the Lower House of the 
legislature, and was re-elected in 1877, serv- 
ing through the XlXth and XXth Legisla- 
tures. In the fall of 1886 he was again elected 
i"e])resentative for tlie two years' tenn, and 
holds that office at the present writing. In 
the last session he was among the most 
active and influential members, and ably 
represented his constituents in a session 
which was among the most important held 
in the history of the State. He was a prom- 
inent candidate for the speakership at the 
opening of the session and, although unsuc- 
cessful in that respect, his influence and 
ability were recognized in the formation of 
committees, he being placed upon a number 
of the most important, and made chairman 
of the committee on temperance. Mr. Buf- 
fum has been identified with the Republican 
party since its organization; he is clear- 
headed and an able parliamentarian, a care- 
ful business man ; he has accumulated a 
comfortable fortune. He takes an active 
interest in G. A. R. and Knights Templar 
matters, being a member of both organiza- 
tions at Owatonna. He has one son, Frank 
P., born October 1, 1866, who graduated 
June, 1886, from Pillsbury Academy, Owa- 
tonna, and is now taking a medical course at 
Rush College, Chicago, 111. 




CHAPTER IX. 



COUNTY OFFICIALS. 




N this connection we take up the 
history of all the county oflBces. 
Biographies of many of the offi- 
cials appear in other chapters of 
this work, and of such we make 
but brief mention here. The his- 
torian has endeavored to obtain a 
biographical sketch of each official, 
but in a great many cases this has 
been imjiossible, and, in fact, in 
some instances but very little information 
as to the parties could be got, as many of 
them have been gone from the county for 
years, and have been lost to the memories of 
the old settlers who are still accessible to 
the writer. 

REGISTER OF DEPJDS. 

Charles Ellison was the first register of 
deeds for Steele County. He was appointed 
by the governor in tlie summer of 1856, and 
served until January 1, 1857. He opened 
the records of the county, in the absence of 
record books, upon a couple of sheets of fools- 
cap paper. Ellison came here from Iowa early 
in the spring of 1855, and took a claim south- 
east of Owatonna, which has since fell into 
John Chambers' possession after a number 
of changes. Ellison remained about for 
several years improving his claim a little, 
and finally went to Somerset, where in com- 
pany with others he was interested in the 
project of starting a village. A few years 
later he left the county. 

John W. Park succeeded Mr. Ellison as 
register of deeds, being elected in October. 
1856. Park was a native of Vermont, but 
came here from "Waukesha County, Wis., 
in the fall of 1854, accompanying W. W. 
Wilkins, S. B. Smith, and Curtis Ilaseltine. 



Park and Smith settled on a claim in the 
northern part of the present city plat, where 
they lived together and began improvements. 
The others of the original party are men- 
tioned at length elsewhere in this volume. 
In the spring of 1855, Smith and Park 
started a store at Owatonna, the first in the 
city, and continued to run it until the fall of 
1856, Avhen they sold it to Elder Town. 
Smith continued to farm until 1857, when 
he went back to Waukesha, where he stiU 
lives. Park held a number of offices while 
here, being county surveyor, register of deeds 
and deputy postmaster at the same time. 
After selling their mercantile business. Park 
attended to his few official duties for a 
couple of years and then returned to 
Waukesha Count}'', Wis. It should be 
mentioned that in the spring of 1856, both 
Smith and Park had returned to Wisconsin 
and married sisters there. Both were clear- 
headed, sound business men, and were prom- 
inent in public affairs, generally, while they 
lived here. 

In the fall of 1857 George W. Danforth 
was elected register of deeds and served for 
one year. Mr. Danforth had only been here 
a short time before the election, having come 
from Indiana. He worked for a time for 
Elder Town in his store. After remaining 
here a short time he returned to Indiana. 

Marvin A. Dailey was the next register of 
deeds. He was first elected in October, 
1858, and re-elected in 1860, serving until 
January 1, 1863. Dailey was originally 
from New York. He settled at Owatonna 
in 1856, and took quite a prominent part in 
politics and public matters, holding many 
important offices of trust during his residence 



55 



56 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



here. He continued to live at Owatonna 
until a few yeiii's ago, when he removed to 
Minneapolis, where he is now in the employ 
of the Minneapolis & St. Louis E. R. Com- 
pany. After Mr. Dailej^'s term of office as 
register, the offices of register of deeds and 
county auditor were consolidated and E. J. 
Crandall held the position. 

"Walter Morris succeeded Mr. Crandall. 
He was elected in November, 1S62, and served 
nearly two years. The offices of auditor and 
register were together at this time. Mr. 
Morris was one of the earliest settlers of Rice 
County, and Morristown in that county was 
named in honor of his family, where they 
had settled in April, 1855. Mr. Morris was 
born in Ohio on the 12th of January, 1S33. 
In 1846 his parents removed to Indiana, and 
in 1853 to St. Paul, thence to Hastings, until 
1854, when they settled in Faribault, where 
Walter Morris was one of the jJi'oprietors 
selling his interest to John W. North. An 
event of his life which he related to the 
writer happened in 1854, when he assisted 
Alexander Faribault in getting five hundred 
Indians across the Redwood to receive their 
pay. "While on their way thither the Indi- 
ans obtained liquor, got drunk and made 
numerovis threats, but were finally sobered 
down and reached their destination in safety. 
After leaving Mankato they traveled two 
days and a half with nothing to eat and 
when, finding a skunk, which made them a 
meal, they thought themselves fortunate. 
In 1861 Mr. Morris settled at Owatonna, and 
served as register of deeds and also county 
auditor as stated. In 1863 he resigned and 
the following spring made a trip to Colorado, 
engaged in farming and remained two years; 
but as the grasshoppers harvested both crops 
he removed to Mason, Mo. In 1870, he 
settled in St. Louis, and 1875 returned to 
Morristown, Rice Count}', and engaged in 
mercantile business. 

In November, 1864, Charles S. Crandall 
was elected register of deeds to succeed Mr. 
Morris, and two years later he was re-elected. 



serving four years. Mr. Crandall is still an 
honored resident of Steele County. A sketch 
of his life appears elsewhere in this volume. 

In November, 1868, H. J. Lewis was elect- 
ed register of deeds, and was twice re-elected 
servmg until the 1st of January, 1875. Mr. 
Lewis came to Steele County at an early day, 
and settled near Crane Creek. He enlisted 
early during the war, serving in a "Wisconsin 
regiment, and attained a high rank before 
being mustered out. After his discharge he 
came to Steele County, and in 1868, as 
stated, was elected register of deeds, and 
served six years. Toward the last of his 
official term his health failed, and after a 
while he went to "Wisconsin, where his death 
occurred a few years ago. 

By the election in November, 1874, Ezra 
Tyler succeeded Mr. Lewis as register of 
deeds. In 1876, 1878, 1880, 1882 and 1884 
Mr. Tyler was re-elected, serving in all twelve 
years. He was a young man when he settled 
in Steele County, which was before the war. 
He followed different occupations for busi- 
ness until the war broke out, when lie 
enlisted and went into service. After the 
close of the Rebellion he was, for a time, 
engaged in the mercantile business at 
Owatonna, associated with a brother. "When 
elected, his official duties occupied his atten- 
tion. In the spring of 1887, shortly after 
the expiration of his term of office, he 
removed to Uuluth, where he is engaged in 
the compilation of a set of abstracts. 

George E. Sloan, the present register of 
deeds, was elected in the fall of 1886. Mr. 
Sloan was born in Alburgh, Grand Isle 
County, "V^t., in 1844. "When six years 
of age he went to St. Lawrence County, 
N. Y., where he remained until 1868, 
when he came to Minnesota. He enlisted in 
August, 1862, in Company I, One Hundred 
and Fort^'-second New York Volunteer 
Infantry. In June, 1865, he was discharged. 
He took part in the battle of Fort Fisher, 
and was wounded in the face and neck 
at Drury's Bluff. After coming to Minne- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



57 



seta he engaged in farming in Havana 
Township. In 1SS2 he removed to Summit, 
where lie remained until elected register 
of deeds in 1886. He is a member of the 
James A. Goodwin Post No. 81, Grand 
Army of the Eepublic. Mr. Sloan was mar- 
ried in April, 1872, to Miss Lucy Koberts, a 
native of New York State. They have had 
seven children : William (deceased), George, 
Nellie, Frank, Margaret, Effie and Etta 
(twins.) 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

David Sanborn, the first treasurer of Steele 
County, was appointed by the governor in 
1855 and elected at the October election in 

1856. He was born in Sanbornton, N. 
H., on the 27th of July, 1809. For many 
years he followed the trade of a mason 
and builder, erectmg several large blocks in 
Lowell, Mass. In 1853, he came west and 
the following year settled in Steele County, 
remaining here until the time of his death 
which occurred April 6, 1885. Two daugh- 
ters and one son survived him : B. C. San- 
born, editor of the MadeUa Times ; Mrs. D. 
C. Hunkins and Mrs. F. C. Webb. 

It seems that Mr. Sanborn only served un- 
til January 1, 1858, as county treasurer, and, 
in fact, during that time there were scarcely 
any oflBcial duties to perform. In October, 

1857, J. W. Morford was elected treasurer, 
and in 1858 and 1859 he was re-elected. 
Mr. Morford was originally from Wayne 
County, N. Y., but came to Owatonna 
in 1856 from Wisconsin, where his people 
had settled at an early daj'. He and John 
Odell came together and the two were 
eng-ao-ed in the mercantile business. Mr. 
Morford, from the first, took a promi- 
nent part in all public matters, and this 
characterized his life all through the many 
years that he lived in Steele County. Fle 
put up the building now occupied by Rose- 
brock's furniture store, which was the first 
public hall in Owatonna, and he is still inter- 
ested in property here, owning the building 
now occupied by Katz's clothing house, as 



well as other real estate. Mr. Morford 
remained in Owatonna until a few years 
ago, when he removed to Watertown, Dak., 
where he still lives. He made many friends 
here, and deserved them; strictly honest, 
whether in prosperity or adversity ; his word 
was as binding upon him as his bond. He 
was a leading Mason, and when the order 
here was in its infancy, he fitted up his hall 
for a lodge-room. In all public affairs and 
enterprises Mr. Morford was always ready 
and willing to do his full share. 

On the 8th of October, 1861, Dr. W. W. 
Finch was elected county treasurer to suc- 
ceed Mr. Morford, and served two years. At 
that time the only safe in Steele County was 
owned by W. R. Kinyon, who was then prac- 
ticing law at Owatonna, and Mr. Kinyon 
became deputy treasurer and the books and 
funds were kept at his office. Dr. Finch was 
originally from Vermont. He came west at 
an early day and settled in Clinton Falls, 
where he engaged in farming. He had been 
a practicing physician before coming to 
Steele County, and during his entire resi- 
dence here he attended calls, and took care 
of a practice which his neighbors forced upon 
him. He remained in the county for a num- 
ber of years after the expiration of his term 
of office as treasurer, and finally removed 
to Santa Barbara, Cal., where he died a 
few years ago. He had accumulated a com- 
fortable fortune before leaving Steele Count}'. 
Dr. Finch was a man of a good deal of both 
natural and acquired ability ; a man who 
was esteemed and respected, and justly, by 
all wlio knew him. 

B. F. Melvin was elected treasurer in 
1863, and was re-elected in 1865, 1867, 1869 
and 1871, serving ten years. Mr. Melvin 
was a native of the State of Maine, but had 
come west at an early day, settling in Med- 
ford Township, Steele County. Some time 
after his election to the office he removed to 
Owatonna and made that his home until the 
time of his death, which occurred a few 
His wife died here during the 



58 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



summer of 1887, and one son, Frank, is still 
a resident of the city. Mr. Melvin was an 
efficient officer and held the respect of all. 

Thomas Thompson succeeded Mr. Melvin 
as treasurer. He held the office for two 
terms — from January 1, 1874, until Jan- 
uary 1, 1878. Mr. Thompson was originally 
from Ohio. He came to Steele County 
at an early day and settled upon a farm 
southeast of Owatonna. When the war 
broke out he enlisted and went into service 
in a cavalry brigade. After his discharge 
he returned to his Steele County farm, and 
a few years later was elected county treas- 
urer. He again returned to his farm upon 
the expiration of his term of office, and a 
year or two later removed to Dakota Terri- 
tory, where he died a few years ago. His 
remains, together with those of a deceased 
daughter, were brought back here for burial ; 
but his family still live in Dakota. 

In 1877 John A. Cansdell was elected 
treasurer and in 1879 and 1881 he was 
re-elected, serving until January 1, 1884. 
Mr. Cansdell came to Steele County before 
the war and settled upon a farm near Kice 
Lake. When the war broke out he enlisted, 
and during his service lost one leg. He 
returned to Steele County and moved to 
Owatonna, where for several years he ran a 
Grange general merchandise store. In this 
he was not successful and came out of it 
somewhat involved. Then he was elected 
to office, and a short time after the expira- 
tion of his tliird term he removed to Minne- 
apolis, where he still lives. 

Soren Peterson, the present county treas- 
urer, succeeded Mr. Cansdell. He was 
elected in 1883 and re-elected in 1886. Mr. 
Peterson was born in Denmark in 1847. He 
came to America in 1869 and came to 
Steele County, Minn., settling in Blooming- 
Prairie, where he lived until elected county 
treasurer. Mr. Peterson was married in 
1869 to Miss Kirsten Davidson. Tlieir chil- 
dren's names are : Mary, Hans, Willie C, 
Carl L., Anna, Emma and Hansine. Mr. and 



Mrs. Peterson are members of the Lutheran 
Church. 

COUNTY AUDITOR. 

When Steele County was organized, in 
1855, the office of county auditor had not 
yet been created, and the duties were per- 
formed by an officer termed the. clerk of the 
board of county commissioners, who was 
appointed by the board. Charles Ellison 
was the first to fill this office, being appointed 
by the board at their first session, in August, 
1855. 

In October, 1856, Z. B. Moore Avas elected 
to the office of auditor and apparently held 
it for two years, whether he performed the 
duties or not. Not much is remembered of 
Moore except that he was a smart and active 
young man who came here at a very early 
day and remained about Owatonna for a 
few years. He then went, it is thought, to 
California, and has been lost trace of. 

There appears to have been some dispute 
or difficulty regarding this office during the 
winter of 1858-9. The election records show 
that A. McKinney was elected to the office 
in October, 1858, but M. A. Dailey contested, 
claiming that the election, at that time, of 
this officer was vested in the board of county 
commissioners. Mr. Dailey had succeeded 
Mr. Ellison as clerk of the board, which was 
really the same as county auditor, and the 
result of the matter was, that in February, 

1859, the board settled the matter by for- 
mally electing Mr. Dailey. 

In October, 1859, Frank L. Melvin was 
elected county auditor, but in February, 

1860, he resigned and Mr. Dailey was re- 
appointed. 

E. J. Crandall was elected county auditor 
to succeed Mr. Dailey, in November, 1860, 
and the office was shortly afterward merged 
with tliat of register of deeds. 

Succeeding Mr. Crandall in 1862, Walter 
Morris was elected county auditor and regis- 
ter of deeds, and held the offices jointly until 
the 5th of November, 1863, when he resigned 
and C. S. Crandall became register of deeds, 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



59 



and A. N. Stougliton became county auditor 
by appointment of the board of county com- 
missioners. 

A. N. Stoughton was elected m Novem- 
ber, 1864, and re-elected in 1866, 1868 and 
1870, and after the expiration of his term, 
he served as deputy auditor for about six 
years. Alvin IST. Stoughton was one of the 
pioneers of Owatonna. He was born in 
"Weathersfield, Vt., in 1814; cam% to Ohio 
in 1819 with his parents, and in 1856 
came to Steele County. He was engaged in 
the mercantile business until 1864. In 1865 
he was appointed auditor and was elected 
four successive terms as stated. In 1885 he 
was elected city justice and again in 1886; 
in the spring of 1887 was elected city 
treasurer. He has twice been mayor of the 
city, having been the second one elected. 
Mr. Stoughton was married in November, 
1837, to Miss Dorothy "Wright, who died in 
1842. He was again married in 1846 to Mrs. 
Mary J. Wadsworth, a native of Connecticut. 
Mr. and Mrs. Stoughton are members of the 
Congregational Church. 

In November, 1872, L. S. Padgham was 
elected county auditor; in 1874 and 1876 was 
re-elected and served until January 1, 1879. 

M. B. Chadwick succeeded Mr. Padgham. 
He was elected first in the fall of 1878, and 
being three times re-elected served until Jan- 
uary 1, 1887. 

John C. Burke, the present county auditor, 
was elected in October, 1886. Mr. Burke is 
a pleasant, affable gentleman, rapid and 
accurate in the transaction of business, and 
has a most thorough and complete knowledge 
of his office and the vast mass of documents 
of which it is the repository. Mr. Burke is 
a native of Pittsfield, Berkshire County, 
Mass., where he was born June 10, 1860. 
When only five years of age his parents 
moved west and located in Meriden Town- 
ship, Steele County, Minn., where John C. 
lived until elected county auditor in 1886. 
Mr. Burke is a Democrat in political faith, 
and is a member of the Catholic Church. 



SHEKIFF. 

William F. Pettit was the first sheriff of 
Steele County. He was appointed by Gov. 
Gorman at the time the county was organ- 
ized, in the summer of 1855. For some 
reason the record shows that Mr. Pettit was 
elected in October, 1855, although it does 
not appear that any other county officer was 
voted for at that time. Mr. Pettit's settle- 
ment, and the fact that he became one of 
the town proprietors of Owatonna, is detailed 
elsewhere in this volume. He first came 
here in the fall of 1854 and took a claim, 
upon which he settled during the following 
3'ear, and began improvements. In the fall 
of 1855 he erected the first frame house upon 
the present site of the city. He remained 
in Steele County until after the war, and 
finally removed to California, where he died 
a number of years ago. A few years previous 
to his leaving Steele County he bought a 
farm noithwest of the city a short distance, 
and lived upon it until he left. The major 
part of his time, however, during his residence 
here was devoted to real-estate and town-site 
interests. He was also for a time interested 
in a dry goods store and a sa\vmill. He 
represented Steele County in the State Sen- 
ate one term, and stood well among his 
colleagues during one of the most important 
sessions held in early days. A man of 
remarkable force of character, generous to a 
fault, and always willing to do his full share 
in building up the town and country. Of 
course being a town proprietor these enter- 
prises all tended to directly benefit him and 
his interests, yet the fact that he always took 
his part of the work and expense should be 
set down to his credit. Energetic and active, 
he was a prominent man in early days, and 
his name is indissolubly connected with the 
early development of Steele County, and its 
history as an organization. 

David Lindersmith succeeded Mr. Pettit as 
sheriff, and was the first to fill the office under 
a legal election. He was chosen at the October 
election in 1856 and served for two years. 



60 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



W. H. Willsey succeeded Mr. Lindersmith 
as sheriff of Steele County- Being elected 
in October, 1858, he served from January 1, 
1859, until January 1, 1861. Mr. Willsey 
has been a prominent citizen of Steele 
County for nearlj' a third of a centurj', and 
is still an honored resident. A history of 
his life is presented elsewhere in this volume. 

In November, 1860, S. C. Williamson was 
elected to succeed Mr. Willsey as sheriff. 
He was elected for a term of two years, but 
it appears did not serve out the full term. 
Mr. Williamson came from Malone, N. Y., 
and must have settled in Steele County 
as early as 1855 or 1856, locating first in 
Clinton Falls Township. Later he removed 
to Ovvatonna and while there operated a 
stage line and was also interested in the 
livery business with a partner under the firm 
name of Williamson & Cotter, the last named 
being a brother of the present clerk of court 
of Steele County. After a residence of a few 
years in this county Mr. Williamson disposed 
of his interests here and returned to New 
Yoi'k State. 

Seth H. Patterson was elected sheriff in 
November, 1862. In 1864 he was re-elected, 
but in May, 1865, he resigned. He came to 
the county at an early day and located upon 
a piece of land east of the city, where he en 
gaged in farming. After remaining in the 
county for a number of years, being inter- 
ested in various enterprises, he finally sold 
out and left the county. 

Upon the resignation by Mr. Patterson of 
the office of sheriff the board of county com- 
missioners, in May, 1865, appointed William 
Scrib}' to fill the vacancy, and he served un- 
til the following general election in Novem- 
ber. Scriby was an Englishman who settled 
in Steele County during the latter part of 
the war, locating upon a farm in Havana 
Township. He remained there until after 
the war when he sold to Gordon Watson and 
left the county. 

At the next election in November, 1865, 
Willard Wheaton was elected sheriff and 



served out the unexpired term. Mr. Whea- 
ton was a carpenter by trade, and an old 
settler in Steele County, having located at 
Owatonna in 1855. Some time after his term 
expired, he left the county, having lost his 
first wife here, and was married again, this 
time to a Rice County lady. A few years 
later returned to Owatonna temporarily and 
met his death while here. It was caused by 
a runaway. His remains were interred here. 
A daughter of his — now Mrs. Merrill Odell 
— is still a resident of Steele County. 

In November, 186G, Michael J. Toher was 
elected sheriff and at that time served one 
term. 

The records show that in November, 1868, 
Frank Borchert was elected sheriff. AVhen 
Mr. Borchert came to file his bond it ap 
peared that his name was Ferdinand Bor- 
chert, and the board refused to accept it. So 
to cover any possible technical difficulty M. 
J. Toher, his predecessor, resigned the office, 
and the board proceeded to appoint Ferdi- 
nand Borchert sheriff of Steele County. He 
served one year. 

Succeeding Mr. Borchert in November, 
1869, Michael J. Toher was again chosen to fill 
the office. He was re-elected in 1871 and 
1873, serving until January 1, 1876. 

In November, 1875, Clark Chambers was 
elected sheriff. As he was re-elected in 1877, 
1879 and 1881, he served for eight consecu- 
tive years. Mr. Chambers is still a promi- 
nent resident of Owatonna. 

The present sheriff, Hugh Murray, is one of 
the most generally po]nilar men in the 
county. He was elected in 1883, and re- 
elected in 1886. Mr. Murray was born in 
Washington County, Vt., in 1837. At the 
age of twenty years lie came west, remain- 
ing in Pennsylvania a short time, thence 
to LaSalle County, 111., where he remained 
a year. He came to Steele County in 1858, 
locating in Lemond Township, where he now 
owns ov^er a thousand acres of land. In 1871 
Mr. Murray was elected county commissioner, 
which position he held until 1876. In 1875, 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



61 



he was elected to the Lower House of the 
legislature, where he served two terras. He 
is a member of Blue Lodge, No. 33, A. F. 
& A. M., at Owatonna. Mr. Murray was 
married in 1861 to Miss Elizabeth Hast- 
ings, a native of New York ; Carrie and 
Wyatt are the names of their only living 
children. 

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT. 

The first county superintendent of schools 
for Steele County was Ezra Abbott, who was 
elected in October, 1856. Mr. Abbott is 
noticed at length elsewhere. The educa- 
tional system underwent many radical 
changes in early days, although when Mr. 
Abbott was elected the system was very 
similar to that of the present day. After 
the election of 1856, we do not find any 
record of the election or appointment of a 
superintendent until 18G2. In the spring of 
this year the system was changed and the 
county was divided into districts for the 
supervision of schools. In September of the 
same year the board of county commissioners 
appointed a school superintendent for each 
of these districts as follows : First district, 
R. G. Lincoln ; second district, Harvey Cha- 
pin ; third district, Dwight Gordon. 

In a short time another change was made 
in the educational system b}' an act approved 
on the 3d of March, 1864, and in accordance 
with this the board of commissioners ap- 
pointed A. A. Harwood superintendent of 
schools for the entire county and fixed the 
salary of that officer at $200 per year. Mr. 
Harwood is noticed at length elsewhere. 

Hon. A. C. Hickman succeeded Mr. Har- 
wood as superintendent. 

F. J. Stevens succeeded Mr. Hickman, and 
served for several years. 

O. A. Tiffany was the next superintendent 
of schools. 

Succeeding him, Eev. G. C. Tanner was 
appointed and held the office until January, 
1887, when he resigned. 

J. D. Brown was appointed to succeed Mr. 
Tanner and is the present incumbent. 



JUDGE OF PROBATE. 

The first judge of probate of Steele 
County was Smith Johnson, Sr., who was 
appointed by the governor in the sum- 
mer of 1855. 

Franklin B. Davis succeeded Mr. Johnson 
and served a portion of one year. 

Bazil Meek succeeded Mr. Davis as judge 
of probate. He was elected in October, 
1856, and re-elected in 1857. Mr. Meek came 
here in the spring of 1S55 from Jo Daviess 
County, 111., bringing his family, and 
located upon a claim just west of the present 
business ])ortion of the city, but within the 
city limits. He remained there engaged at 
farming for several years and then left the 
county. 

In November, 1860, R. G. Lincoln was 
elected judge of probate, and in 1864 he was 
re-elected. Mr. Lincoln was an early settler 
at Medford, where he had been engaged in 
the mercantile business. He was an intelli- 
gent and capable business man, and was 
closely identified with the early history of 
the northern part of the county. He re- 
mained at Medford until the time of his 
death. 

J. J. Aiken succeeded Mr. Lincoln, and 
served a portion of one term. 

In November, 1866, A. A. Harwood was 
elected judge of probate, and served two 
years. 

Hon. A. C. Hickman was the next judge 
of probate, by virtue of the November elec- 
tion, in 1868, and two years later was re- 
elected. A biographical sketch of Mr. 
Hickman is presented elsewhere. He is still 
a resident of Owatonna, and is to-day and 
has been for years one of the most able and 
prominent lawyers in this part of the State. 

In November, 1872, Hon. L. L. "Wheelock 
was chosen judge of probate, and being re- 
elected in 1874 served three years, resigning 
before the expiration of his term. Judge 
Wheelock is also one of the leading members 
of the bar of southern Minnesota. Having 
for twenty years been identified with polit- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



ical and legal matters, he is widely known 
throughout the State. A histor}^ of his life 
is presented in connection with the history 
of Steele County's bar. 

Upon the resignation of Judge Wheelock 
the governor appointed Judge Amos Coggs- 
well to this office, and he served out the 
balance of the term. Mr. Coggswell has 
been among the most prominent lawyers in 
the State, and a biograjihy of him appears 
elsewhere. 

Hon. Lorenzo Hazen succeeded Judge 
Coggswell by the election in November, 1876. 
InnSTS, ISSO, 1882, 188-1 and 1886 he has 
been re-elected, and is the present incum- 
bent. He has had the support of both polit- 
ical parties. Mr. Hazen was born in Copen- 
hagen, Lewis County, N. Y., in 1817. "When 
twenty-six years old he went to "Wisconsin 
and engaged in farming. Three years later 
he removed to Fond du Lac, where he re- 
mained for ten years. He then removed to 
Eipon, "Wis., where he remained for eleven 
years and then came to Steele County, Minn., 
locating at Medford, where he engaged in 
carpentering and conveyancing. In 1877 
he came to Owatonna, having been elected 
judge of jjrobate. Mr. Hazen was elected 
justice of the peace at Fond du Lac, in 1844, 
and held the office for ten years. In 1846 
he was a member of the first constitutional 
convention of "Wisconsin, at Madison. He 
was also elected justice of the peace at Eipon. 
and held that office there for ten years. 
Mr. Hazen has held various offices of trust 
since he came here, and has been prominent 
in all public affairs. He was married, in 
1843, to Miss Mar}^ Moore, a native of New 
York. Mary H., now wife of E. T. Howard, 
of Red "Wing, is the name of their only child. 
Mr. Hazen was admitted to the bar in about 
1869, but has never engaged iu tlie practice 
of the legal profession to any extent. 

CLEEK OF CODET. 

The first clerk of court of Steele County 
was J. H. Catlin, who was appointed by 



Gov. Gorman, in 1855. It does not appear 
from record, however, that he ever performed 
a single official act. 

F. "Wilbur Fisk was the second clerk of 
court, serving by appointment. He held the 
office during the greater part of 1856. 

George Oulton was the first clerk of court 
to hold the office by virtue of an election. 
He was chosen in October, 1857, and appar- 
ently held the office for two years. Oulton 
was a native of Vermont, who came here 
as early as 1855, locating at Owatonna, 
and working at whatever he could find 
to do. He was a smart, active fellow, 
what would be termed a society man 
with no bad habits or vices. After a 
year or two he was engaged most of the 
time in assisting M. A. Dailey. About 
the time the war broke out, or possibly a 
short time before, he left here and finally 
brought up in California, where he made a 
fortune in different enterprises, more partic- 
ularly, it is thought, in tlie wholesale liquor 
trade. He became one of the most power- 
ful and influential men in the State, was 
connected with the Union Pacific Kailroad 
at one time, served in various official capaci- 
ties, rode in his special palace car, and at one 
time not more than a decade past was con- 
sidered as powerful and influential as any 
man in California. It may truthfully be 
said that he made as complete a success of 
life as anj' man who has ever gone from 
Steele County. 

On the 20th of October, 1859, "W. F.Drum 
was elected to the office of clerk of court 
and served one term. Mr. Drum was a na- 
tive of New York State, and a graduate of 
the West Point military school. He came 
west at an early day and settled upon a farm 
in Meriden Township. He remained in 
Steele County only a few years and then 
went to Washington, where he secui'ed an 
appointment in the regular army and has 
been in the service ever since. He was an 
educated and intelligent man, and was quite 
prominent in public affairs during early days. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



63 



John N. Kelley succeeded Mr. Drum by 
the electiou in October, 1861, and served 
four years. Kelley was also a New York 
man. He came here in July, 1855, and 
located at the county -seat. He was an act- 
ive and capable j'oung man, single at the 
time — although he afterward married — and 
was well known in early days. He was post- 
master at Owatonna for several years, and 
for a time was one of the proprietors of the 
Eureka hotel. About the close of the war 
he got a position as messenger with an ex- 
press company and moved out of Steele 
County. He is still in the express business 
and now lives at St. Paul. 

In November, 1865, Anson M. Kinyon was 
elected and served one term, which was then 
four years. 

I. W. Burch succeeded Mr. Kinyon. He 
was elected in November, 1869, and was re- 
elected in 1873 and 1877, serving twelve 
years. 

James A. Cotter, the present efficient and 
accommodating clerk of court, was elected 
in November, 1881, and was re-elected 
in 1886. Mr. Cotter was born in the 
town of Richmond, Walworth County, Wis., 
in 1819. When he was nine years of 
age his parents moved to Juneau County, 
where they resided until the fall of 1861, 
when the}' came to Steele County, Minn., 
locating in the town of Havana, where 
James A. received his education, also attend- 
ing the high school at Owatonna. He was 
employed in the grocery store of T. H. Kelly 
as salesman for eight years. In the fall of 
1881 he was elected clerk of court on the 
Democratic ticket and was re-elected in 1886 
with 653 majority. 

Mr. Cotter was married in September, 1875, 
to Miss Miranda J. Jones, a native of Penn- 
sylvania. Jay and Laura A. are the names 
of their two children. Mr. Cotter was a 
member of the boai'd of education from 1880 
to 1886. 

COUNTY ATTORNEY. 

The followino- is a list of the gentlemen 



who have occupied the position of prosecut- 
ing attorney for Steele County, as shown by 
the recoi'ds. Nearly all of these gentlemen 
receive extended notice in other chapters, so 
that it is unnecessary to refer to their his- 
tory here, further than to give the date of 
the election of each : 

Simeon Case was the first county attorney. 
He was not a lawyer, but was appointed by 
the governor in 1855, not so much for the 
duties to be performed — for there was noth- 
ing to do then — as for the mere purpose of 
filling the office. 

George W. Green (district attorney), 1856. 

0. F. Perkins (district attorney), 1857. 

S. M. Yearly (county attorney), 1858, 
1860 and 1862. 

A. A. Harwood, 1864. 

J. B. Searles, 1866, 1868,1870. 

J. M. Burlingame, 1872, 1874, 1876, 1878, 
1880. 

W. F. Sawyer, 1882, 1884. 

W. A. Sperry, 1886. 

SURVEYOR. 

John W. Park was the first surveyor of 
Steele County, appointed by the territorial 
governor, in 1855. A number of the early 
settlers also claim that Mr. Park was elected 
to the office in the fall of 1856 ; but the rec- 
ords state that H. W. Peck was elected sur- 
veyor at that time. It is certain, however, 
that Park was the first, as he served as such 
all through 1856, and attended to most of 
the work during the following year. 

In October, 1857, O. W. Pollock was elected 
surveyor and appears to have served one 
year. Pollock was a young Pennsylvanian 
who came to Steele County in 1856, and 
located at Owatonna. He was a civil en- 
gineer, and followed surveying for an occu- 
pation. He remained for a number of years, 
when he left. An incident is related of 
Pollock's election which is worthy of a 
place here. Pollock ran as a Eepublican 
candidate and Luther Bixby, a Democrat, 
was his opponent. Mr. Bixby contested the 
election and it was carried to the Supreme 



64 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Oourt, Avhere Judge Flandrau decided that 
Pollock had not been here long- enough to 
gain a residence. By the time the decision 
was rendered he had been here the time 
fixed b}' law and the board at once appointed 
Mr. Pollock to the oflBce. 

A. Ingerson succeeded Mr. Pollock, be- 
ing elected in the fall of 1858, and re- 
elected in 1859. Mr. Ingerson was an early 
settler in Berlin Township, where he had 
located upon a farm. After a few years he 
secured an ap])ointment to a government 
clerkship in Washington and moved there. 
He now resides in Hennepin County, Minn. 

S. B. Beach was the next surveyor of 
Steele County. He was elected in Novem- 
ber, 1860, and served one ^^ear. 

In October, 1861, J. M. Finch was elected 
and served a like j^eriod. Mr. Finch was a 
native of New York. He had located at 
Clinton Falls at an early day, where he had 
engaged in farming, and remained there 
until the time of his death. Several of his 
sons are still residents of the county. Mr. 
Finch was prominent among the old settlers, 
belonging to a family that were closely 
identified with all public matters in early 
days. His death was regretted and mourned 
by a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances. 

John H. Abbott succeeded J. M. Finch as 
surveyor. He was elected in November, 
1862, and served the full term of two years. 

Luther Bixby came next, by virtue of the 
election in November, 1864. Mr. Bixby was 
a native of Vermont. He came west at an 
early day and located in the village of Owa- 
tonna. Being a surveyor he followed that oc- 
cupation at first, and after a few years, opened 
a drug store. "While engaged at this he dis- 
covered and began the manufacture of a pat- 
ent medicine called " Bixby's Death to Pain," 
and toward the latter part of his mercantile 
career here he purchased a newspaper. After 
selling out his store he removed to Minneap- 
olis, and began the publication of the Tem- 
percmce lieview, at the same time manufact- 



uring and placing his medicine upon the 
market. He has since sold both these inter- 
ests, and now lives near Chicago. 

Succeeding Mr. Bixby, in 1866, J. M. 
Finch was again elected to the office, and 
held it for two years. 

M. E. Billings was elected in the fall of 
1868, serving the same length of time. 

By the election in November, 1870, Charles 
Dennijes became survej'^or. Mr. Dennijes is 
still a resident of Owatonna. 

B. S. Wheeler was the next surveyor. He 
was elected in the fall of 1871 and re-elected 
in 1873, 1875 and 1879. Mr. Wheeler was 
an early settler in the town of Summit, 
where he had been engaged in farming. He 
remained there until a few years ago, ^vhen 
he removed to southeastern Dakota where 
he still lives. 

In the fall of 1881 John H. Abbott was 
again elected surveyor. 

A. M. Mitchell, the present surveyor, suc- 
ceeded Abbott. He was elected in Novem- 
ber, 1883, and re-elected in 1SS6. Mr. Mitch- 
ell is a native of Indiana, born November 
25, 1836. At the age of t'venty -three he 
left home to make his own way in the world 
and engaged at carpenter work for a few 
years. He then spent one year in Nebraska, 
and then settled at Burlington, Iowa, where 
he followed his trade for some time. On the 
3d of April, 1863, he came to Steele County 
and located on section 36, but about a year 
later removed to section 34, Aurora Town- 
ship, where he has since lived, carrying on 
general farming and stock raising. On the 
31st of October, 1864, he enlisted in Com- 
pany D, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, 
under Capt. Reeves, and was discharged 
at Fort Snelling, September 27, 1865. Mr. 
Mitchell was married to a Miss Margaret 
Walker, a native of Burlington, Iowa, born 
March 9, 1841, and they have seven children 
as follows : John B., born January 5, 1861 ; 
Charles H., born August 22, 1862 ; Ettie M., 
born September 9, 1866; Dora J., born 
December 20, 1867 ; Minne S., born Novem- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



65 



ber 9, 1870; Delbert M., born December 9, 
1873, and Alice M., born October 1-t, 1883. 
John and Charles are both graduates of the 
Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna. Mr. Mitch- 
ell is a Republican in politics and since his 
residence here has held various offices of 
trust, including those of town clerk, town 
supervisor, school director and others. 

COUNTY COEONEK. 

The following is a list of the various gen- 
tlemen who have been elected to the office of 
coroner of Steele County, together with the 
date of election of each as shown by the rec- 
ords. Many of those named never qualified : 

Thomas Kenj'^on, 1856-8. 

Anton Shimek, 1860. 

Thomas Kenyon, 1861. 

G. Watson, 1862-4. 



John Austin, 1866. 

J. G. Gilchrist, 1868-70. 

L. L. Bennett, 1871-3. 

H. S. Hill, 1877. 

L. L. Bennett, 1879. 

Dr. H. S. Hill, 1881. 

Dr. E. E. Aukes, 1883. 

Dr. J. L. Harrington, 1884. 

C. Peterson, 1886. 

COURT COMMISSIONER. 

The following-named have held this office 
by election : 
' P. J. Nordeen, 1860. 
E. G. Lincoln, 1861-4. 
A. A. Harwood, 1866. 
J. M. Burlingame, 1869. 
M. B. Chad wick, 1872. 
L. Hazen, 1881-6. 




CHAPTER 



POLITICAL. 




HE political history of Steele 
County is more fully and more 
authentically shown by giving the 
vote of the county during the 
various years, than in anj' other 
manner. The county has been 
Kepublican by large majorities 
on national and State issues ever 
since its organization ; yet in local 
affairs it has varied considerably 
and many Democratic candidates 
have, tlirough their personal popularity, 
been elected to county offices over Republican 
" standard bearers." As a rule, the Republi- 
cans hold a convention and nominate a 
" straight ticket," and the opposition concen- 
trate all their force upon an " Independent" 
or " People's " ticket. In this connection is 
presented an abstract of the vote at every 
genera] election held in Steele County, as far 
as could be ascertained from the records in 
the court house, and files of the newspapers. 
The first election was held in October, 1855, 
and resulted as follows : 

Election, October 9, 1855. 
Delegate to Congress. 

W. R. Marshall, Democrat 38— 34 

David Olmsted 4 

Henry M. Rice 2 

Councilor. 

P. P. Ilumplirey 106— 95 

Chas. E. Flandrau 11 

Legislative Assembly. 

A.B.Cornell 83— 2 

G. A. McLeod 81 

Sheriff. 

Wm. P. Pcttit 84— 56 

Benj. A. Freeman 28 

Election, October H-, 1856. 

Register of Deeds. 

John W. Park 201— 23 

Charles Ellison 178 



Sheriff. 

David Lindersmith 191 — 4 

Joseph W. Burch 187 

Treasurer. 

David Sanborn • 379—379 

Judge of Probate. 

Bazil Meek 199— 23 

W. W. Robinson 177 

Bazil Meek 7 

District Attorney. 

George W. Green 199— 25 

.TohnBradish 174 

County Surveyor. 

H. W. Peck 259— 63 

James M. Finch 97 

James W. Finch 18 

C. M. Merrick 13 

James Finch 5 

Coroner. 

Thos. Kenyon 196— 28 

J. M. Blevin 168 

W. W. Finch 23 

Auditor. 

Z. B. Moore 180— 3 

C. W. Curtis 177 

W. W. Finch 1 

School Superintendent. 

Ezra Abbot 184— 1 

W. W. Finch 183 

County Assessors. 

Geo. O. Hankerson 201 

P. Sanford 181 

P. Healy 181 

James E. Child 180 

Lorin B. Town 180 

John A. Hadley 180 

Geo. A. Child 19 

T. B. Town 19 

County Commissioners. 

David Smith 233 

N. Winship 201 

Wm. Allen 201 

M.J.Kendall 181 

Addison Phelps 181 

Wm. PI. Chamberlain 138 

H. Chamberlain 4 

Election, October IS, 1857. 
Adopting State Constitution. 

For 613—544 

Against 69 



66 









, /^J^-^^e^C^^^^^'^-f^^-^ 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



69 



Governor. 

Alex. Ramsey, Republican 49.5 — 303 

Henry H. Sibley, Democrat 193 

Lieutenant Governor. 

John C. Ide, Republican 491—301 

William Holcombe, Democrat 190 

Secretary of State. 

L. K. Stannard 494—300 

Francis Baasen 194 

State Treasurer. 

Prank Mantor . . 493—297 

George Armstrong 19.5 

State Auditor. 

A. P. Lane 493—300 

Wm. F. Dunbar 193 

Attorney General. 

George Nourse 493—299 

Chas. H. Berry 194 

Congressmen. 

M. S. Wilkinson, Republican 493 

Henry A. Swift, Republican 493 

Cyrus Aldrich, Republican 493 

Geo. L. Becker, Democrat 194 

W. W. Phelps, Democrat 194 

J. M. Cavanaugh, Democrat 193 

District Judge. 

N. M. Donaldson 493—298 

Henry C. Lowell 194 

District Attorney. 

O. F. Perkins 489—296 

Frank Wainer 193 

John Moon 3 

Clerk of District Court. 

George Oulton 471—279 

Marvin A. Dailey 193 

Chas. L. Lowell 10 

State Senator. 

Lems McKune 428—174 

Wm. Pettit 254 

Scattering 3 

Representatives. 

Geo. L. Leonard 492 

H. M. Sheetz 486 

George C. Pettie 485 

Smith Johnson. . . , 470 

Edwin Drake 300 

W. W. Robinson 193 

D. S. Bellis 193 

Henry W. Peck 193 

A. B. Cornell 2 

W. W. Finch 2 

Geo. W. Green 1 

Judge of Probate. 

Bazil Meek 413—392 

Addison Phelps 20 

Jacob Myers 12 

Scattering 3 

Delegate to Congress. 

Chas. McClure, Republican 435—385 

W. W. Kingsburry, Democrat 150 

5 



County Commissioners. 

Lorenzo Muckey 434 

Hiram Pitcher 413 

John A. Hadley 152 

Henry M. Bill 173 

County Treasurer. 

Joseph W. Morford 436—286 

John N. Kelly 150 

County Surveyor. 

O. W. Pollock 399—228 

Luther Bixby, 3d 171 

Register of Deeds. 

George W. Danforth 573—573 

M. A. Dailey 1 

Road Commissioners. 

Seth H. Patterson 438 

Zachariah Scribner 430 

E. Le Gro 161 

John D. Sanborn 155 

Assessors. 

A. B. Clark 445 

W. B. Evans 440 

F. J. Stevens 440 

Daniel Harmon 1 53 

John Oliver 153 

Geo. B. Thompson 151 

Election, October 12, 1858. 
State Senator. 

William F. Pettit, Democrat 387—115 

Lewis McKune, Republican 272 

Representatives. 

H. M. Sheetz 472 

A. A. Woodward 388 

Geo. W. Green 386 

B. M. Morrill 380 

O.T.Jones 300 

Buel Welsh 345 

Alexander Johnson 358 

James Banie 271 

Register of Deeds. 

Marvin A. Dailey 370— 98 

A. B. Cornell 373 

Judge of Probate. 

R. G. Lincoln 450—349 

Charles V. Brown 301 

Prosecuting Attorney. 

S. M. Yearley 336—149 

Patrick Cudmore 177 

Edwin Drake 118 

Sheriff. 

W. H. Willsey 410—174 

John Oliver 336 

Coroner. 

Thomas Kenyon 397—119 

E. Y. Hunewell 178 

County Auditor. 

A. McKinney 343—226 

George Lincoln 117 



70 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Surveyor. 

A. Ingerson 177 

County Treasurer. 
J, W. Morford 301 

Election, October W, 1859. 

Governor. 

Alexander Ramsey, Republican 440 — 262 

George L. Becker, Democrat 178 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Ignatius Donnelly 441—263 

S. B. Lowry 178 

Secretary of State. 

.T. H. Baker 445—266 

Francis Baasen 179 

State Treasurer. 

C. T. Scheffer 448—271 

Samuel Abbe 177 

Attorney General. 

Gordon E. Cole 446—268 

John B. Brisbin 178 

Congressmen. 

Cyrus Aldrich, Republican 447 

William Wiudom, Republican 449 

Christopher Graham, Democrat 175 

James M. Cavauaugh, Democrat 176 

Representatives. 

Amos Coggswell 454 

Geo. W. Green 437 

Jesse I. Stewart 440 

George T. White 439 

W. R. Kinyon 175 

John Powers 168 

W. H. Wyman 172 

W. W. Cowles 170 

County Treasurer. 

J. W. Morford 451—286 

H. M. Bills 165 

Clerk of Court. 

W. F. Drum 458—296 

John N. Kelly 162 

County Auditor. 

FrankL. Melvin 431—266 

Charles V. Brown 165 

Surveyor. 

Ashbel Ingerson 426—234 

James M. Finch 192 

Mection, November 6, 1860. 

President. 

Abraham Lincoln, Republican 523 — 366 

S. A. Douglas, Democrat 157 

J. C. Breckenridge, Democrat 8 

State Auditor. 

Charles McIIrath : 513—356 

Herman Trott 157 

Josiah S. Weiser 8 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 

A. J. VanVorhos 512—3.55 

Jacob J. Noah 157 

William B. Leach 8 



Congressmen. 

Cyrus Aldrich, Republican 512 

William Windom, Republican 513 

John M. Gilman, Democrat 158 

James George, Democrat 157 

James W. Taylor 8 

A. J. Edgerton 8 

Register of Deeds. 

M.A.Dailey 261— 8 

A. B. Cornell 253 

W. R. Kinyon 158 

County Auditor. 

E. J. Crandall 478—318 

James M. Finch 160 

Sheriff. 

S. C. Williamson 475—299 

L. E. Rawson 176 

David W. Cook 27 

Judge of Probate. 

R. G. Lincoln 480—307 

Darius Cook 173 

County Attorney. 

S. M. Yearly 509—349 

John H. Morse 160 

Court Commissioner. 

P. J. Nordeen 311—119 

L. F. Babcock 192 

Ileury M. Bill 164 

Surveyor. 

S. B. Beach 512—344 

James M. Finch 168 

Coroner. 
Anton Schimek 482—299 

D. G. Fowle 183 

Scattering 3 

Election, Octoher 8, 1861. 

For Governor. 

Alexander Ramsey, Republican 353 — 280 

E. O. Hamlin, Democrat 73 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Ignatius Donnelly, Republican 363 — 305 

Thomas Cowan, Democrat 58 

Secretary of State. 

James H. Baker, Republican 360 — 295 

Daniel Buck, Democrat 65 

M. A. Dailey 1 

State Treasurer. 

Charles Scheffer 363—299 

C. P. Fisher 64 

Attorney General. 

Gordon E. Cole 362-299 

William H. Peckham 63 

State Senator. 

A. B. Webber 252— 69 

E. C. Stacey 183 

Representatives. 

H. C. Magoon 212 

A. B. Cornell 178 

P. C. Bailey 356 

J. I. Stewart 167 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



71 



County Treasurer. 

W. W. Pinch 309—303 

Geo. C. Pettie 106 

Clerk of Court. 

John N. Kelley 233— 30 

Smith Stowers 203 

William Davidson 1 

Court Commissioner. 

R. G. Lincoln 384—382 

Scattering 2 

Surveyor. 

J. M. Finch 166—166 

Coroner. 

Thomas Kenyon 347—103 

Anton Shultz 144 

A. B. Cornell 1 

Election, November Jf, 1862. 
Conirressmau. 

William Windom, Republican 331—268 

A. G. Chatfield, Democrat 63 

State Senator. 

M. A. Dailey 387—351 

N. Winship 36 

Scattering 4 

Representatives. 

Philo Woodruff 337— 2 

Asa Walker 335 

Register of Deeds. 

W. Morris 337—330 

Scattering 7 

County Surveyor. 

John H. Abbott 319—316 

Scattering 3 

County Attorney. 
S. M. Yearly 305—303 

Scattering 2 

Coroner. 
G. Watson 339—329 

Sheriff. 
S. H. Patterson 238—238 

Election, November 3, 18G3. 

Governor. 

Stephen Miller, Republican 418—337 

Henry Wells, Democrat 81 

Secretary of State. 

David Blakely, Republican 415—331 

Amos Coggswell, Democrat 84 

Attorney General. 

Gordon E. Cole, Republican 413—330 

W. H. Grant, Democrat 83 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 

George F. Potter, Republican 412—330 

J. Mainser, Democrat 82 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Charles D. Sherwood, Republican 396—314 

J. S. Norris, Democrat 83 

C. D. Sherman 21 

State Treasurer. 

Charles Scheffer, Republican 413—331 

J. Estebrook, Democrat 82 



Auditor of State. 

Charles Mcllrath, Republican 405—326 

J. H. McKinney, Democrat 79 

State Senator. 

F. J. Stevens 398—338 

Amos Coggswell 70 

Lewis Howard 5 

Representatives. 

Philo Woodruff 397 

J. L. Gibbs 396 

William Brisbin 5 

County Treasurer. 

B. F. Melvin 374—330 

G. B.Hall 44 

Election, November 8, 1864- 
President. 

Abraham Lincoln, Republican 636 — 437 

George B. McClellan, Democrat 309 

Congressman. 

William Windom, Republican 639 — 430 

H. W. Lambcrton, Democrat 309 

Chief Justice Supreme Court. 

Thomas Wilson, Republican 637 — 428 

A. G. Chatfield, Democrat 309 

Associate Justices. 

S. J. R. McMillan, Republican 634 

John M. Berry, Repubhcan 635 

Eli T. Wilder, Democrat 309 

E. O. Hamlin, Democrat 309 

District Judge. 

N. M. Donaldson, Republican 569—315 

Geo. W. Batchelder, Democrat 354 

State Senator. 

B. A. Lowell 581—391 

Wm. Brisbane 190 

Representatives. 

J. L. Gibbs 577 

J. B. Crooker ,535 

N. Winship 367 

A. Armstrong 196 

Scattering 10 

Probate Judge. 

R. G. Lincoln 602—432 

James M. Finch 170 

Sheriff. 

Seth H. Patterson 597—385 

Hugh Murray 212 

County Auditor. 

A. N. Stoughton 598—395 

O. Bartholomew 203 

Register of Deeds. 
S. Crandall 544—377 



C 

J. N. Kelly 267 

Surveyor. 

L. Bixby 305—205 

County Attorney. 

A. A. Harwood 581—357 

S. M. Yearly 234 

Court Commissioner. 
R. G. Lincoln 589—589 



r. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Coroner. 

G. Watson 598-390 

J. H. Morse 208 

Election, November 7, 1865. 

Governor. 

Wm. R. Marshall, Republican 531—403 

H. M. Rice, Democrat 118 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Thomas H. Armstrong 530 — 121 

Charles W. Nash 109 

Secretary of State. 

H. C. Rogers 531—423 

John R. Jones 108 

Treasurer of State. 

Charles SchefEer 531—433 

Frank Henderstadt 108 

Attorney General. 

William Colville 530—423 

William Lochren 108 

Constitutional Amendment to Section 1, Article "VII. 

For 393-238 

Against 154 

Representatives. 

A. Armstrong 353 — 70 

J. B. Crooker 283 

Adolphus Town 134 

Sheriff. 

W. Wheaton 536—526 

County Treasurer. 

Benjamin F. Melvin 529—529 

Clerk of Court. 
Anson M. Kinyon 519—519 

Election, Novemher 6, 1886. 

Congressman. 

W. Windom, Republican 779—311 

Richard A. Jones, Democrat 468 

State Auditor. 

Charles Mcllrath 785—319 

Nelse E. Nelson 466 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 

Sherwood Hough 787—321 

Dennis Cavanaugh 466 

State Senator. 

A. Armstrong 789 — 788 

Scattering 1 

Representative. 

W. H. Twiford 745—243 

A. C. Flanders 503 

Scattering 1 

County Auditor. 

A. N. Stoughton 763—390 

Jacob Newsalt 473 

Sheriff. 

Michael J. Toher 480— 24 

Richard Miles . .• 456 

M. E. Billings 306 

Scattering 2 

Judge of Probate. 
A. A. Harwood 709—190 



A. Pettie 519 

Scattering 3 

Court Commissioner. 

A. A. Harwood 743—380 

Patrick Cudmore 463 

Register of Deeds. 

C. S. Crandall 711—173 

L. M. Howard 538 

Surveyor. 

James M. Finch 1123-1131 

Scattering 3 

County Attorney. 

J. B. Searies 768—396 

Amos Coggswell 473 

Coroner. 

John Austin 454— 37 

J. C. Messenger 417 

Scattering 3 

Election, November 5, 1867. 

Governor. 

William R. Marshall, Republican 996—426 

Charles E. Flandrau, Democrat 570 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Thomas Armstrong, Republican 997 — 437 

A. K. Maynard, Democrat 570 

Secretary of State. 

Henry C. Rogers 1029—503 

Amos Coggswell 526 

State Treasurer. 

Emil Munich 995^60 

John Friedrichs 535 

A. G. Chatfleld 35 

Attorney General. 
F. R. E. Cornell 995—458 

A. G. Chatfield 537 

John Freidrichs 35 

Representatives. 

W. R. Kinyon 925—319 

Alex . Chambers 600 

R. Drake 1 

Proposition to Issue County Bonds for Building Jail. 

Against 403—132 

For 331 

Proposed Adjustment of Railroad Bonds. 

Against Adjustment 1525-1517 

For Adjustment 8 

County Treasurer. 

B. F. Melvin 952—353 

Charies Schoen 599 

Election, Novemher 3, 1868. 
President. 

U. S. Grant, Republican 1137—624 

H. Seymour, Democrat 503 

Congressman. 

M. S. Wilkinson, Republican 1131—635 

Geo. W. Batchelder, Democrat 506 

County Auditor. 
A. N. Stoughton 1048—476 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



73 



Jacob Newsalt 572 

Scattering 1 

Sheriff. 

Frank Borchert 867—104. 

M. J. Toher 763 

Scattering 2 

Register of Deeds. 

H. J. Lewis 1036^442 

A. Horstmann 594 

Scattering 1 

County Attorney. 

J. B. Searles 1110—584 

Amos Coggswell 526 

Surveyor. 

M. E. Billings 928—373 

Luther Bixby 655 

Judge of Probate. 

A. C. Hickman 1083—532 

H. H. Johnson 551 

Coroner. 

J. G. Gilchrist 1091—581 

L. L. Bennett 510 

State Senator. 

J. B. Crooker 953—280 

M. F. Lowth 673 

Election, November ^, 1869. 

Governor. 

Horace Austin, Republican 637 — 276 

Geo. L. Otis, Democrat 361 

Daniel Cobb, Prohibitionist 75 

Lieutenant Governor. 

William H. Yale 644—283 

J. A. Wiswell 361 

John H. Stevens 70 

Secretary of State. 

Hans Mattson 640—379 

T. G. Fladeland 361 

James E. Child 69 

State Auditor. 

Charles Mcllrath 639—277 

L. A. Evans 362 

J. A. Randolph 70 

State Treasurer. 

Emil Munch 642—282 

Casper Baberich 360 

Rob. Stewart 72 

Attorney General. 

F. R. E. Cornell 641—281 

Seagrave Smith 360 

J. Ham Davidson 71 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 

Sherwood Hough 643—389 

W. T. Bonniwell 354 

Chief Justice of Supreme Court. 

C. G. Ripley 633—372 

C. E. Flandrau 360 

E. O. Hamlin 69 



County Treasurer. 

B. F. Melvin 1033-1029 

Scattering 4 

Sheriff. 

M. J. Toher 543— 38 

S. H. Stowers 515 

Scattering 7 

Clerk of Court. 
I. W. Burch 1060-1060 

Court Commissioner. 

J. M. Burlingame 691—324 

Amos Coggswell 367 

Representative. 
H. W. Ruliffson 669—382 

L. C. Woodman 387 

Special Election, May 31, 1870. 

Payment of Railroad Bonds in Lands. 

Yes 775—714 

No 61 

Election, November 8, 1870. 

Congressman. 

Mark H. Dunnell, Republican 809—503 

C. F. Buck, Democrat 307 

Scattering 6 

County Auditor. 

A. N. Stoughton 844—529 

Benj. F. Wheeler 315 

Register of Deeds. 

H. J. Lewis 836—512 

A. C. Flanders 324 

County Attorney. 

J. B. Searles 774—433 

Amos Coggswell 341 

Surveyor. 

Charles Dennijes 811 — 463 

L. Bixby 348 

Judge of Probate. 

A. C. Hickman 676—185 

H. H. Johnson 491 

Coroner. 
J. G. Gilchrist 825-379 

E. M. Morehouse 346 

State Senator. 

W. C. Young 788—424 

James F. Jones 364 

Representative. 

F. B. Davis 753—353 

N. Winship 399 

Election, November 7, 1871. 
Governor. 

Horace Austin, Republican 1195 — 701 

Winthrop Young, Democrat 494 

Samuel Mayall 15 

Lieutenant Governor. 
William H. Yale 1175—651 

D. L. Buell 534 



74 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



William A. Bentley 14 

Secretary of State. 

S. P. Jennison 1161—634 

Erick N. Falk 537 

J. Guilford 14 

State Treasurer. 

William Seeger 1174—652 

Barney Vosberg 522 

W. L. Mintzer 15 

Attorney General. 

F. R. E. Cornell 1117—548 

J. L. McDonald 569 

N. F. Sargent 14 

Associate Justices of Supreme Court. 

S. J. R. McMillan 1175 

John M. Berry 1175 

Daniel Buck 522 

William Mitchell 521 

E. O. Hamlin 14 

A. P.Jewell 14 

County Treasurer. 

B. F. Melvin 909—144 

Sandford Kinney 765 

Sheriff. 

M. J. Toher 909—138 

8. H. Stowers 771 

County Surveyor. 

B. S. Wheeler 1240-1217 

J. M. Finch 23 

Scattering 9 

Coroner. 

L. L. Bennett 909—134 

Solomon Blood 775 

State Senator. 
Amos Coggswell 953—333 

C. S. Crandall 719 

Representatives. 

W. W. Wilkins 660 

Geo. W. Green 204 

F. B. Davis 453 

W. H. Twiford 341 

Election, November, 1872. 
President. 

U. S. Grant, Republican 1033—406 

Horace Greeley, Democrat and Liberal Re- 
publican 627 

Member of Congress. 

Mark H. Dunnell, Republican 1042—416 

M. S. Wilkinson, Democrat 626 

Auditor of State. * 

O. P. Whitcomb 876—336 

Albert Scheffer 540 



* Note.— In the vote for State auditor, the townships of 
Meriden, Deerfleld and Clinton are not reported. The vote 
of Clinton is also omitted from vote on clerk of Supreme 
Court. 



Clerk of Supreme Court. 

Sherwood Hough 993—375 

James George 618 

Register of Deeds. 

H. J. Lewis 768— 86 

Charles Dennijes 683 

M. A. Dailey 233 

Judge of Probate. 

L. L. Wheelock 995—318 

H. H. Johnson 677 

County Auditor. 

L. Padgham 765—164 

Edward Donaldson 601 

A. N. Stoughton 308 

Court Commissioner. 
M. B.Chadwick 991—991 

Coimty Attorney. 

J. M. Burlingame 991—314 

Amos Coggswell 677 

Representative — First District. 

W. W. Wilkins 495—143 

G. W. Knapp 353 

Representative — Second District. 

A. Colquhon 418—120 

Hugh Murray 298 

Election, Noveinber If., 1873. 
Governor. 

C. K. Davis, Republican 774—205 

Ara Barton, Democrat 569 

Samuel Mayall, Prohibitionist 58 

Lieutenant Governor. 

A. Barto 726— 58 

E. Ayr 668 

Secretary of State. 

S. P. Jennison 738— 68 

John H. Stevens 670 

State Treasurer. 

Mons Grinager 763 — 179 

E. W. Dike 584 

L N. Sater 59 

Attorney General. 

Geo. P. Wilson 802—200 

Wm. P. Clough 602 

County Treasurer. 

Thomas Thompson 705— 25 

A. N. Stoughton 680 

Sheriff. 

M.J. Toher 784—190 

David Whipple 594 

Surveyor. 

B. S. Wheeler 1353-1349 

Scattering 3 

Clerk of Court. 
I. W. Burch 1407-1407 

Coroner. 
L. L. Bennett 720—104 



HISTORY OF ST 

T. L. Hatch 616 

E. P. Gould 60 

Scattering 4 

State Senator. 

Amos Coggswell 784—169 

J. M. Burlingame 615 

Scattering 2 

Representative — First District. 

C. S. Crandall 376— 33 

N. M. Donaldson 843 

Scattering 5 

Representative — Second District. 

J. M. Sloan 446—253 

F. J. Stevens 194 

Scattering 3 

Election, Novemher 5, 187 Hf,. 
Chief Justice Supreme Court. 

S. J. R. McMillan, Republican 1063—430 

.Wescott Wilkin, Democrat 633 

Associate Jastice Supreme Court. 

Judge Cornell 1057—428 

Wm. Lochren 628 

Congressman. 

M. H. Donnell 960—271 

F. H. Waite 889 

County Auditor. 

L. Padgham 1375—859 

J. P. Jackson 416 

Register of Deeds. 

Ezra Tyler 911—145 

M. A. Dailey 766 

County Attorney. 

J. M. Burlingame 1006—331 

Amos Coggswell 675 

Judge of Probate. 

L. L. Wheelock 1128—571 

J. A. Cotter 557 

Representative — First District. 

W. R. Kinyon 605—308 

L. H. Lane 297 

Representative — Second District. 

Hugh Murray 436—103 

E. L. Scoville 333 

Election, Novemher, 1875. 

Governor. 

J. S. Pillsbury , Republican 874^330 

D. L. Buell, Democrat 637 

Lieutenant Governor. 

J. B. Wakefield 879—286 

E. W. Durant 593 

Secretary of State. 

J. S. Irgens 898—318 

A. Bierman 580 



EELE COUNTY. 75 

State Auditor. 

O. P. Whitcomb 894—313 

P. H. Rahilly 581 

State Treasurer. 

William Pfaender 888—312 

A. Scheffer 576 

Attorney General. 

Gen. Wilson 891—316 

R. A. Jones 575 

Railroad Commissioner. 

W. R. Marshall 885—391 

W. T. Bonniwell 594 

Chief Justice Supreme Court. 

James A. GilflUan 895—311 

L. Emmett 584 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 

S. H. Nichols 889—300 

A. A. McLeod 589 

County Treasurer. 

Thomas Thompson 1011—579 

A. Knobloch 433 

Sheriff. 

Clark Chambers 1009—514 

M. J. Toher 495 

State Senator. 

L. L. Wheelock 857—196 

Amos Coggswell 661 

Representative — Second District. 

Hugh Murray 434—181 

Dexter Smith 259 

Representative — First District. 

W. R. Kinyon 519—311 

L. C. Woodman 308 

Election, November, 1876. 
President. 

R. B. Hayes, Republican 1581—623 

S. J. Tilden, Democrat 958 

Congressman. 

M. H. Dunnell, Republican 1523—573 

E. G. Stacy, Democrat 950 

Representative — First District. 

G. W. Buffum 685—111 

E. M. Morehouse 574 

Representative — Second District. 

Walter Muir 667— 65 

Hugh Murray 603 

County Auditor. 

L. Padgham 1630-696 

Gustav Siebold 934 

Register of Deeds. 

Ezra Tyler 1573-619 

John Shea 953 

Judge of Probate Court. 

L. Hazen 1391-354 

Amos Coggswell 1137 



76 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



J. M. Burllngame. 
D. B. Johnson . 



County Attorney. 



J. O. Waumett. 
E. L. Scoville. 



County Commissioner. 



For 

Against . 

No 

Yes 



Election, June, 1877. 
Bonds to Build Jail. 

Paying Railroad Bonds. 



1574—614 
960 

339—143 
196 



Election, Wovemier, 1877. 
Governor. 

J. S. Pillsbury, Republican 

W. L. Banning, Democrat 

Lieutenant Governor. 

J. B. Wakefield, Republican 

A. A. Ames, Democrat 

Secretary of State. 



941- 


-330 


631 




401- 


1153 


348 





J. S. Irgens 

A. T. Lindholm. 

J. F. Meagher . . 
Wm. Pfaender. . 



State Treasurer. 



Gen. Wilson. 
J. R. Jones . . 



Attorney General. 



W. R. Marshall. 
H.W. Hill. 



Railroad Commissioner. 



John A. Cansdell 
John Bichner. 



County Treasurer. 



I. W. Burch. 
J. L. Cass . . . 



Clerk of Court. 



Coroner. 

H. S. Hill 

L. L. Bennett 

Sheriff. 

Clark Chambers 

P. Brennan 

State Senator. 

E . M . Morehouse 

A. C. Hickman 

Representative. 

G. W. Buffum 

W. F. Sawyer 

Representative — Second District. 



W. Muir . 

Cord King 

Commissioner — Second District. 
A. Erdman 

G. W. Kinyon 



1004—176 

828 

1004—165 
839 

1010—173 
838 

815—570 
245 

1009—172 
837 

996—153 

844 

1031—188 
833 

1041—198 

843 

1003—146 

857 

987— 96 
891 

1087—302 

785 

536— 37 
499 

433— 3 
419 

307—177 
130 



Commissioner — Third District. 

W. P. Francis 309— 35 

A. B. Libby 184 

Election, November, 1878. 
Auditor of State. 

0. P. Whitcomb, Republican 1381—463 

M. Black, Democrat 919 

Judge of the Supreme Court. 

John M. Berry 1470—612 

AVm. Mitchell 858 

Clerk of the Supreme Court. 

Samuel H. Nichols 1378—558 

Dillon O'Brien 920 

Member of Congress — First District. 

M. H. Dunnell, Republican 1405—560 

William Meighen, Democrat 845 

Judge of District Court — Fifth District. 

Samuel Lord 1473—574 

Lafayette Emmett 898 

County Auditor. 

M. B. Chadwick 1394—291 

Ale.x. Graham 1003 

Register of Deeds. 

E. A. Tyler 1393—452 

Charles Dinnijes 941 

Judge of Probate. 

L. Hazen 136.5—426 

J. S. Austin 939 

County Attorney. 

J. M. Burlingame 1309—376 

D. B. Johnson 1033 

Court Commissioner. 

L. Hazen 1319—414 

J. S. Austin 905 

Senator — Twelfth District. 

W. W. Wilkins 1189— 91 

E. M. Morehouse 1098 

Representative. 

H. M. Hastings 532— 50 

W. W. Day 482 

Election, Novemher, 1879. 
Governor. 

J. S. Pillsbury, Republican 117.5—409 

Ednuind Rice, Democrat 776 

W. AV. Satteriee, Prohibitionist 131 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Charles A. Oilman, Republican 1148 — 408 

E. P. Barnum, Democrat 740 

B. S. Williams, Prohibitionist 182 

Secretary of State. 

Fred Von Baumbach 1217—476 

Feli.x A. Borer 721 

1. C. Stearns 127 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



77 



State Treasurer. 

Clias. Kittelson 1301— 476 

Lyman E. Cowdrey 746 

J. M. Duram 126 

Attorney General. 

Chas. M. Start 1209— 469 

P. M. Babcock 740 

A. W. Bangs 128 

Railroad Commissioner. 

"Wm. R. Marshall 1209— 407 

W. M. Colvill 739 

Chas. Griswold 126 

County Treasurer. 

John A. Cansdell 1209— 441 

H. Schmidt 758 

Geo. Mitchell 109 

County Sheriff. 

Clark Chambers 1443- 



935 



A. B. Clark... 
J. W. Landon. 



507 
23 



Surveyor. 

B. S. Wheeler 2063—2063 

County Coroner. 

L. L. Bennett 1205— 454 

E. M. Morehouse 751 

D. H. Roberts 121 

County Superintendent. 

G. C. Tanner 1013— 38 

Jos. A. Sawyer 975 

E.H.Sibley ' 77 

Election, November, 1880. 
For President. 

James A. Garfield, Republican 1643 — 698 

W. S. Hancock, Democrat 944 

Neal Dow, Prohibitionist 60 

Member Congress. 

M. H. Dunnell, Republican 1544— 696 

Henry R. Wells, Democrat 848 

W. G. Ward, Republican 184 

D. H. Roberts, Prohibitionist 58 

Representative — North District. 

H. H. Rosebrock 845— 471 

John Virtue 374 

Representative — South District. 

A. Colquhon 784— 300 

Cord King 484 

County Auditor. 

M. B. Chadwick 1640— 699 

C. Yust 941 

Register of Deeds. 

E. A. Tyler 1645— 707 

N. Winship 938 

County Attorney. 

J. M. Burlingame 1596— G30 

Amos Coggswell . . 976 

Probate Judge. 

L. Hazen 1793—1792 



Election, Novemhcr 8, 1881. 
Governor. 

Lucius F. Hubbard, Republican 

R. W. Johnson, Democrat 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Chas. A. GUman, Republican 

E. P. Barnum, Democrat 

State Auditor. 
W. W. Braden 

R. Lehmicke 

Secretary of State. 

Fred von Baumbach 

A. J. Lamberton 

State Treasurer. 

Charles Kittelson 

John F. Russell 

Attorney General. 



W. J. Hahn . 

G. N. Ba.xter 

Supreme Court Justices. 

Wm. Mitchell 

Greenleaf Clark 

D. A. Dickenson 

Chas. E. Vanderburg 

Clerk of Court. 

J. A. Cotter 

1. W. Burch ., 

Sheriff. 

Clark Chambers 

Hugh Murray 

County Treasurer. 

John A. Cansdell 

Joseph Birchner 

Court Commissioner. 

L. Hazen 

Jonas Austin 



County Superintendent. 



1064—438 
626 

1124—432 
692 

1139—439 
693 

1139—436 
693 

1139—436 
693 

1138—444 
694 

1834 
692 

1834 
1148 

947— 93 
854 

1004—219 

785 

1138—508 
630 

1169—519 
650 



Geo. C. Tanner 1793 



Dr. H. S. Hill . . . 
Dr. E. E. Aukes , 



Coroner. 



County Surveyor. 



1025—252 
773 



John H. Abbott 1140 

Election, November 7, 1882. 
Congressman. 

Milo White, Republican 1199—148 

A. Biermann, Democrat 1051 

Supreme Court Justice. 
James Gilfillan .' 3366 



A. C. Hickman. . . 
E. M. Morehouse. 



State Senator. 



H. A. Finch , 
M. Guthrie. .. 



Representative. 



119.5—137 
1068 

119.5—135 
1060 



78 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



County Auditor. 

M. B. Chadwick 1279— 308 

L. Ellington 971 

Register of Deeds. 

E. A. Tyler 1267— 273 

A. F. Byrne 994 

County Attorney. 

W. F. Sawyer 1281— 305 

Amos Cogg.swell 976 

Judge of Probate. 

L. Hazen 2265 

Bond Act. 

For 1026 

Against 16 

Election, November 6, 18S3. 
Governor. 

Lucius F. Hubbard, Republican 1161— 211 

Adolph Biermann, Democrat 950 

Chas. E. Holt, Prohibitionist 86 

Lieutenant Governor. 

C. A. Oilman 1223— 325 

R. L. Frazee 898 

C. B. Shove 75 

Secretary of State. 

F. von Baumbach 1205—312 

J. J. Green 893 

Prof. E.G. Paine 78 

State Treasurer. 

C. Kittelson 1233— 339 

John Ludwig 894 

C. M. Anderson 78 

Attorney General. 

W. J. Hahn 1238— 345 

J. W. Willis 893 

Francis Cadwell 78 

Railroad Commissioner. 

James H. Baker 1239— 345 

A. T. Lindholm 894 

S. Meeker 76 

County Treasurer. 

Soren Peterson 1264— 348 

H. Schmidt , 916 

Sheriff. 

Hugh Murray 1113— 56 

J. Z. Barucard. 1057 

Surveyor. 

A.M. Mitchell 1286—1286 

Coroner. 

Dr. H. S. Hill 1241— 321 

Dr. E. E. Aukes 920 

Superintendent of Schools. 

G. C. Tanner 1859—1859 



No.. 
Yes. 



Amendment to Constitution. 



967— 14 
653 



Election, November, 188^.. 
President. 

James G . Blaine, Republican 1273—267 

Grover Cleveland, Democrat 1006 

J . P . St . John, Prohibitionist 49 

Justice of Supreme Court. 
John M. Berry 2311 

Congressman . 

Milo White, Republican 1184— 84 

A. Biermann, Democrat 1100 

C . A. Bierce, Prohibitionist 51 

Representative. 

J. M. Burlingame 1247—145 

P. Brennan 1092 

County Auditor. 
M. B. Chadwick 1313—291 

D. E. Austin 1022 

Register of Deeds. 

E. A. Tyler 1286—275 

C. Yust 1011 

County Attorney . 
W. F. Sawyer 1317 

Probate Judge. 
L. Hazen 2351 



Court Commissioner. 



L. Hazen. 



2340 



Coroner. 

Dr. Harrington 1278—213 

Dr. Morehouse 1066 

Court House Bonds. 

No 1017—226 

Yes 791 

This year there occurred a tie for the office of com- 
missioner from the fourth district, the candidates, 
G. W. Kinyon and E. Scannel, each receiving 183 
votes. Upon drawing lots Mr. Kinyon was successful. 



Election, November, 1886. 
Governor. 

A. R. McGill, Republican 

A. A. Ames, Democrat 

James E. Child, Prohibitionist 

Lieutenant Governor. 

A. E. Rice 

John Frank 

J. P. Pinkham 

Secretary of State. 



Hans Mattson. 
Luth Jaeger. . 
C. A. Bierce. . 



W. W. Braden . 
Gust. A. Lundberg. 
H. W. Allen 



State Auditor. 



1339— 49 
1290 
115 

1396— 153 
1244 
166 

1401— 109 
1233 
120 

1395— 155 
1340 
120 



State Treasurer. 



Joseph Bobleter 1401— 163 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



79 



H. Poehler 1238 

P. J. Kniss 130 

Attorney General. 

M. E. Clapp 1400— 160 

John N. Ives 1240 

W. M. Hatch 130 

Clerk Supreme Court. 

J. D. Jones 1403— 163 

T. O'Leary 1239 

C. A. Fosness 144 

Member of Congress. 

Thos. Wilson, Democrat 135.5— 97 

John A. Lovely, Republican 1258 

Dr. D. H. Roberts, Prohibitionist 129 

Judge — Fifth District. 
T. S. Buckham 1360—1360 

County Auditor. 

J.C.Burke 1354— 61 

M. B. Chadwick 1393 

D. McKinlay 95 

County Treasurer. 

S. Peterson 1439— 336 

Albert Kasper 1203 

Geo. Mitchell 108 

Register of Deeds. 

G. E. Sloan 1455— 373 

John Kearney 1182 

B. Chapin 93 

Sheriff. 

Hugh Murray 1617— 572 

Oscar Murphy 1045 

J. W. Landon 86 

County Attorney. 

W. A. Sperry 1391— 117 

Amos Coggswell 1274 

Judge of Probate. 

L. Hazen 2639—2639 

Court Commissioner. 
L. Hazen 3639—2639 



County Surveyor. 
A. M. Mitchell 2690—2690 

Coroner. 

C. Peterson 1344— 48 

J. H. Adair 1296 

Clerk District Court. 

J. A. Cotter 1653— 680 

A. M. Kinyon 972 

Superintendent Schools. 
G. C. Tanner 1607— 252 

D. A. McKinley 1355 

F. D. Sheldon 93 

State Senator. 
C. S. Crandall 1322— 109 

E. M. Morehouse 1263 

A. H. Mudeking 89 

Representative. 

G. W. Buffum 1446— 181 

M. Guthrie 1365 

Dexter Smith 104 

Coimty Commissioners. 

Theo. Chambers, Republican 303 — 53 

W. P. Hobblns, Democrat 351 

C. R. Knowlton, Prohibitionist 19 

H. L. Zwiener, Republican 853 — 14 

O. O. Prestegaard, Democrat 339 

F. K. Hickok, Prohibitionist 16 

John Virtue 366— 24 

W. Rosenthall 242 

S. Morrison 22 



G. W". Kinyon 205- 

Jas. Morton 193 

E.H.Sibley 19 



12 



H.Schmidt 229— 35 

L. L. Bennett 194 

O. M. Hammond 23 




CHAPTER XI. 




THE COUKTS — CASES — DISTRICT JUDGES AND THE BAR 
OF STEELE COUNTY. 



;N this chapter we have grouped 
together all that we could learn 
regarding courts, cases and the 
pi bar of Steele County. There are 
probably other cases that would 
be of interest; but as all of the 
details must be gleaned from the 
memories of the old settlers, there 
is much conflict, and a number 
have had to be omitted, because it has been 
impossible to write a version of them upon 
which all could agree. Another class of cases 
which had to be omitted were those where 
the parties who were interested, or their 
near friends, were still living in the county, 
and the publication of details might give 
pain and cause dispute, for no lawsuit was 
ever tried that did not have two sides ; else, 
as Dickens says, in Bardell vs. Pickwick, 
"why this suit?" 

The first trial of interest in the county 
occurred at Owatonna, in the fall of 1855, 
before Addison Phelps, who had been ap- 
pointed a justice of the peace by the terri- 
torial governor. It appears that several 
parties had taken a claim jointly somewhere 
in the neighborhood of Wilton, in Waseca 
County (then a portion of Steele), and had 
put up a claim shanty. Several contesting 
claimants invaded the premises, pulled down 
the shanty and jumped the claim. The first 
parties had the "invaders" arrested, and 
four or five of them were brought to Owa- 
tonna as prisoners for trial. At that time 
there were no available lawyers here, al- 
though A. B. Cornell was on hand to prose- 
cute them. The defendants could find no 



lawyer, and were feeling pretty blue. They, 
together with about twenty witnesses, were 
taken up to the Winship House for supper. 
When the evening stage came in, a man 
alighted and took supper at the hotel. He 
overheard their talk regarding the case, and 
feeling that they were being abused he an- 
nounced himself as Attorney Onstine, one 
of the ablest lawyers in the northern part of 
Iowa, and undertook their defense. When 
the case was called for trial he was on hand, 
and a legal combat of two days' duration 
ensued, resulting in the acquittal of the 
prisoners, who had shown that they had the 
best title to the claim. 

The first offense committed in the county 
against " the peace and dignity of the United 
States," as criminal offenses were designated 
in territorial times, was upon the part of 
John Duckering. He had struck a little fel- 
low, or dwarf, called Napoleon Boneparte, 
cutting him pretty badly, and Boneparte 
had Duckering arrested, and fined a small 
amount. 

In August of 1857, a party of roughs, 
or, as the old settlers termed them, " border 
ruffians," attempted to "paint the embryo 
city of Owatonna red," as the expression of 
later daj's goes. Two men named BuU, a 
man named Orr, and a Mr. Squires got to 
drinking pretty heavily, and got into a row, 
after which they procured knives and pistols 
and began a reign of terror in cleaning out 
the town, marching uj) and down the streets. 
Nearly all of the citizens fled for their lives. 
The sheriff,David Lindersmith, had been very 
ill, so there was no peace officer at hand ; but 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



81 



after consultcation Slierifif Lindersmitli was 
sent for and got up from a sick-bed to quell 
the disturbance. Upon arriving at town, he 
found the four hnddled together near Elder 
Town's store on Bridge street. For a few 
minutes they resisted arrest and one of them 
nearly killed a bystander with a rock which 
he drew from his breast pocket. When they 
were secured the sheriff took them to a hotel 
and placed them under a guard, while he, suf- 
fering a temporary relapse, gave up and went 
to sleep. At about daylight the guards were 
changed and for a few minutes they were left 
alone with the sick sheriff, taking advantage 
of which they all escaped. Parties started 
at once in pursuit and succeeded in captur- 
ing two, while a third returned and gave 
himself up. The sheriff was now determined 
to see that they did not escape again. The 
nearest lockup was in St. Paul, so a log-chain 
was procured and the prisoners were all pad- 
locked together, while a guard of two men 
with pistols and clubs were placed over them. 
Either S. M. Yearly or G. W. Green prose- 
cuted the case, while the prisoners got a 
Faribault lawyer, H. C. Lowell, to defend 
them. An interesting trial followed. The 
Faribault man was an able lawyer. In his 
argument, he played upon the symjjathies of 
the jury, referred feelingly to the manner in 
which the sheriff had chained the poor men, 
and said a sheriff who would be guilty of so 
maltreating- human being-s ought to be sent 
to jail for life, etc. As the sheriff told the 
historian, it changed the whole course of 
public sentiment. Whereas two hours before 
the citizens favored hanging the ruffians, 
they then wanted to lynch the sheriff. The 
result of the trial was the acquittal of all 
the prisoners. 

In October, 1857, a case came before the 
district court which excited a great deal of 
interest and merriment in the young settle- 
ment. It was entitled Jacob Yonker vs. 
William ami Dorotha Mundt. The record 
shows S. M. Yearly an attorney for the 
plaintiff and G. W. Green as attorney for 



the defendants. It appears that during the 
spring and summer of 1857, Jacob Yonker, 
the plaintiff, and Minnie Mundt, a daughter 
of the defendants, had been working at 
Winship's hotel, and a short time before the 
commencement of this action they had taken 
a notion to get married. Thus far all was 
legal and right enough. But it seems that 
Minnie was not of age yet, being only seven- 
teen, and they did not deem it necessary to 
go through the formality of getting a license. 
They therefore went before Elder Town, who, 
after asking them the usual questions, i)i'o- 
nounced them man and wife. For a few 
days everything moved along smoothly 
enough ; but when the bride's parents 
learned of it, they commanded Minnie to 
come home, as she had married without their 
consent; and she, being a dutiful child, 
obeyed, leaving the bridegroom alone in his 
misery. Yonker took on terribly for a while, 
and finally, after getting legal advice, swore 
out papers for the arrest of his parents-in- 
law for "abducting" his wife. They were 
brought up by the sheriff, and when they 
saw the turn things had taken they wanted 
to settle it, and Mr. Mundt offered to pay 
Yonker what damage it had been to him. 
Yonker immediately responded : " I don'd 
vant your money ; I vant my Minnie ! " In 
this way the matter was finallj^ settled, 
Yonker paying costs and getting " his 
Minnie," while the old folks went their way 
in peace ; and the young people resumed 
their happy relations as bride and groom. 

Along in 1857 and 1858 there was consid- 
erable litigation growing from claim matters. 
An amusing incident is related in relation to 
this, which, barring names, is about as fol- 
lows : It seems that a shanty had disappeared 
from one of the settler's claims ; and, from 
conclusive evidence, it was apparent that it 
had been stolen. A search warrant was got 
out and placed in the sheriff's hands, which 
directed him to '' seize certain hasswood Inm- 
her,'' and arrest tlie party or parties found in 
possession of the samer The officer went to 



82 



HISTORY OF STEELE COITNTT. 



the place where the shantj had stood and 
there found the tracks of the \vagon which 
the stolen lumber had been loaded upon. 
Following the track in a circuitous route it 
finally brought up at a little cabin, in front 
of which was a nice pile of shanty lumber. 
The sheriff congratulated himself, as the 
whole matter was so plain as to leave no 
chance for mistake. Upon examination, 
however, the lumber proved to be elm and 
popple, and, under the warrant, it was impos- 
sible to seize it. The officer, therefore, drove 
off and left tlie thief in possession. 

All through the early records there appear 
references to a case in which Nathaniel 
Squires, David Lindersmith, the State of 
Minnesota, et al., are mixed ujj as plaintiffs 
and defendants. While there is nothing 
connected with the case or the matters 
involved to make it of more than ordinary 
interest, yet there is scarcely an old settler 
in the county who will not be interested in 
an account of it, as it was so badly mixed at 
the time it was tried that scarcely anyone 
fully understood the details from which the 
suit grew. In the early part of 1857 
Nathaniel Squires and Henry Corrigan got 
into a difficulty in Owatonna and began to 
fight it out. Squires got Corrigan down and 
was punishing him, when the sheriff, David 
Lindersmith, came upon the ground, and 
took them before Justice Shaw to see what 
should be done to preserve peace. Corrigan 
made complaint against Squires and the 
latter was fined $15. Corrigan was dis- 
charged, as Squires refused to make any com- 
plaint. Squires had no money to pay the 
fine, but they let him go. Thus the matter 
remained for some time, as Squires had no 
property attachable. Finally Squires bought 
a couple of cows and an attachment was got 
out and placed in Sheriff Lindersmith's 
hands for execution. He seized one cow and 
took her home with him, intending to have 
a sale at once. Squires claimed the action 
of the sheriff was illegal, and that the cow 
was exempt from execution. He gave bond 



and replevied the animal, and the case was 
taken before Justice Se3'mour Howe, who 
lived south of Owatonna, to try title. S. M. 
Yearly appeared as Squires' attorney and 
Judge Green defended Lindersmith. After 
a jury trial a verdict for Lindersmith was 
returned, and he at once secured possession 
of the cow and took her to his home. One 
Sunday, the 28th of June, 1857, Squires 
came and stole the cow, taking her to his 
son's, on Maple Creek, where she was 
butchered immediately. The sheriff got 
several others and started in jjursuit, arriv- 
ing at the " scene of slaughter" just as the 
beef was being hung up ; but as the other 
parties fought, they finall}^ returned without 
the beef. Warrants were sworn out for 
Geo. Squires, Joseph Wagner and Philander 
Atwater for resisting an officer. They were 
brought to trial July 1, 1857, and were dis- 
charged by the justice on the ground that 
the warrant did not agree with the com- 
plaint. They afterward delivered up the 
beef and the sheriff sold it. At the same 
time a warrant was issued for Nathaniel 
Squires, on account of stealing the cow. He 
was arrested and had a preliminary exami- 
nation on June 30, 1857, when he was bound 
over to appear in District Court. A few 
weeks later Squires sued Lindersmith for the 
price of the cow, and upon a change of venue 
the case was taken to Squire Tiffany, in 
Havana Township, for trial. A jury trial 
was had and a disagreement followed. A 
new trial was set and then an adjournment 
was asked. This was in April, 1S58. The 
law fixed thirty days as the length of time 
an adjournment could be had upon consent 
of parties. Judge Green, attorney for Linder- 
smith, suggested that the trial be set for the 
second Monday in June, about sixty days dis- 
tant, and upon the others consenting, the jus- 
tice entered it upon the docket and adjourned 
court. S. M. Yearly, attorney for Squires, 
discovered the error almost at once, but 
Green had taken his client and marched 
right off. They had got about twenty rods 



BISTORT OF STEELE COUNTY. 



83 



when the justice called to them, but they 
replied that June suited them, and moved 
right on. The justice interlined the record 
and changed "June" to " May." When the 
second Monday in May came, Squires and his 
attorney appeared, and as no one was present 
to defend, the^' got judgment. In June, the 
defendant appeared with Amos Coggswell 
and G. "W. Green as his attorneys, and 
demanded judgment but the justice told 
them that the matter was all settled, so they 
left. An execution was got out on Squires' 
judgment a short time later, and was placed 
in the hands of the coroner, Thomas Kenyon. 
He refused to execute it unless an indemnify- 
ing bond was given ; the same thing occurred 
with Mr. WiUsey, when he became sheriff, 
and as no bond was furnished the matter 
was finally dropped. 

The case of State of Minnesota vs. L. C. 
Gate came up for trial at the July term of 
court in 1859, and was the first " whisky 
case" taken to district court in Steele 
County. Amos Coggswell defended Gate. 
It appears that Gate had been keeping a 
saloon in a building near where the More- 
house Opera House block is now located, 
and was indicted for selling liquor without 
a license. At the first trial he was found 
guilty, but his attorney, Mr. Coggswell, made 
a motion for a new trial, and a few days 
before the second trial took place, the de- 
fendant was taken sick with the typhoid 
fever and died. 

In the summer of 1859, the Mankato town- 
site cases were tried here upon a change of 
venue. Hundreds of them were docketed ; 
but test cases were made of the different 
classes, so that all were not tried that were 
placed upon the docket. Some of the ablest 
lawyers in the State appeared in these cases, 
and they evoked great interest throughout 
the entire State at the time, as the title to 
about all of the city of Llankato depended 
upon the decision. The gist of these suits, 
as near as we have been able to learn, was 
as follows : The original proprietors of 



the city of Mankato had laid out a town, 
had commenced building, and property was 
advancing in value. Early in the '50's, sev- 
eral parties, among Avhom are remembered 
Messrs. Brandson, Moreland and Cole, or- 
ganized themselves into a new company and 
jumped the claims of the old proprietors and 
the squatters holding under them, on the 
ground that the original claimants had taken 
possession before the Indian title was ex- 
tinguished. The decision was in favor of the 
old proprietors, or the squatters. Some of 
these old cases, however, are in court yet. 

The criminal case of the State of Minne- 
sota vs. Henry Kreigler, which was tried here 
in December, 1860, was the first murder trial 
ever had in Steele County. The case was 
brought here upon a change of venue from 
Freeborn County, where the defendant had 
killed Nelson Boughton, of Oakvale, that 
county. I. W. Perry and Gordon E. Cole ap- 
peared for the State and A. Armstrong, 
Perkins & Perkins and W. K. Kinyon ap- 
peared for the defendant. After a lengthy 
and interesting trial, a jury returned a verdict 
against the prisoner of " murder in the first 
degree," and the court sentenced him to be 
hung. He was taken to Albert Lea where 
the sentence was executed. This was the 
first case of hanging in southern Minnesota, 
and the writer believes the onlj^ one that has 
occurred in the history of this part of the 
State under sentence of a court. Many 
thought then, and still believe, that the de- 
fendant in this case was insane. Kreigler 
was a German and could speak but little 
English, but his actions throughout the trial 
indicated plainly that he was either crazy or 
half-witted, or was feigning very naturally. 
He would dance, in his chains, all the way 
from the jail to the court house, and in a 
dozen other ways his actions were those of 
insanity. 

The case of State of Minnesota vs. Eliza J. 
Brown appears on the criminal calendar of 
the April term of court in 18(52. It was a 
case of considerable interest in those days 



84 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



and raised quite an excitement. It seems 
that Mrs. Eliza J. Brown had located upon 
a iarm in Merton To\vnship and was en- 
gaged in working it. She had several chil- 
dren, among whom was a daughter; and 
she employed a hired man to help run the 
place. As time ran along Mrs. Brown got 
suspicious of the fellow's attentions to her 
daughter, and finally determined to kill him. 
So one day, on the pretense of having re- 
pairs made, she got him into the cistern, and 
then opened hostilities. She threw fiat-irons, 
shovels, stones and everything she could lift 
in upon him, and tried to brain him with 
clubs and pitchforks. The cistern, however, 
was boarded up so that he could partially 
get out of her reach. When he would thus 
take refuge, she would pour hot water in 
upon him, and drive him out and then resort 
to her clubs and flat-irons. When he would 
jump and catch the top to lift himself out, 
she had the ax handy and would chop at his 
hands. Luckily, some one happened along 
before she had killed him, and got the fellow 
out. The cistern was a sight after the bat- 
tle, filled with her implements of warfare. 
A warrant was sworn out and Mrs. Brown 
was arrested. She secured H. C. Lowell, 
of Faribault, as attorney to defend her, 
while G. W. Green and S. M. Yearly ap- 
peared for the State. She waived examin- 
ation and the case came up for trial in April, 
1862, in District Court, before Judge Donald- 
son. A large number of witnesses were 
present from the Merton neighborhood, and 
a good deal of feeling was worked up over 
the case. The theory of the defense was 
that the mother was justified and it seems 
that they supported it well, for the trial re- 
sulted in a verdict of acquittal. The case 
was severely contested. The injured man 
was laid up for nearly a year with his 
wounds. 

The case of State of Minnesota vs. John 
Ryan, which was tried at the spring term of 
district court in 1868, was one of the most 
important murder trials in the history of the 



county. The defendant had killed Thomas 
Dorsey, the details of the tragedy being 
about as follows : Eyan had been here 
through 1866-7, working on the raih-oad, and 
when the railroad was built west to Waseca, 
he went with the construction party. On 
the ith-of July, 1807, a celebration was held 
at Owatonna, and Ryan, with others, came 
back to attend. In a saloon he met Thomas 
Dorsey and invited him to drink, but Dorsey 
refused, upon which a quarrel ensued. Ryan 
would not let the matter drop, but followed 
Dorsey out, determined to fight. Later Dor- 
sey hid in a lumber-yard, and Ryan, learnmg 
of his whereabouts, procured a knife and 
hunted him out. In the struggle that en- 
sued Ryan stabbed Dorsey several times, in- 
flicting wounds from which the latter soon 
died. Ryan was tried, found guilty, and on 
the 22d of April, 1868, was sentenced to be 
hung. The scafl'olding was nearly completed, 
when the governor commuted his sentence 
to imprisonment for life. Ryan was a vi- 
cious, ill-tempered and dangerous man, and, 
even in prison, was not allowed to mingle 
with the other convicts. He finally lost his 
reason, and on April 2, 1883, he was par- 
doned by Gov. Hubbard and released. 

At the April term in 1868 an interesting 
case was tried, entitled State vs. Joseph 
Young. Young was a farmer, living on 
section 36, in Owatonna Township. It seems 
that a couple of young men from Owatonna 
were driving past his place, after having 
been chicken-hunting in Aurora Township, 
when Young's dog ran out and followed, 
barking and annoying them. They either 
killed, or seriously shot, the dog, and Young, 
who was plowing in the field near by, ran 
wp to the buggy and pulled one of the young 
men out, at the same time stabbing him. 
Young was found guilty and fined $150 and 
costs. Amos Coggswell defended, and J. B. 
Searles prosecuted. 

The case of State of Minnesota vs. Will- 
iam Sterling, which was tried in April, 1869, 
was of considerable interest. It was prose- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



87 



cuted by Gordon E. Cole and J. B. Searles, 
and Gov. Gorman and Amos Coggswell were 
attorneys for the defendant. A short time 
previous to the time when this case was 
tried, Dr. Duvall, a faith doctor, or one that 
professed to cure by " laying on of hands," 
had located at Owatonna, and was stopping 
with William Sterling, who was then in the 
lumber business. After a few weeks of 
courtship he was married to Mr. Sterling's 
sister-in-law. Some of the boj's about town 
decided to charivari the newly-married cou- 
ple, and they repaired to the house of 
William Sterling, where the pair were stop- 
ping, with a full orchestra of horse-fiddles, 
tin-pans, etc. The concert had progressed 
but a few minutes, when Mr. Sterling stepped 
to the window with a gun in his hand and 
fired into the midst of the serenading party, 
seriously wounding John Heisch, one of the 
Ijoys. Sterling was indicted by the grand 
jury, tried, found guilty and fined a small 
amount. The doctor was also indicted, but 
was acquitted upon triaL The injured man 
recovered, and is still a resident of Owa- 
tonna. The doctor afterward removed to 
Wisconsin, where he poisoned his wife, was 
tried, found guiltj^ and sentenced to the 
penitentiary for life. 

The case of State of Minnesota vs. John 
Murray, for the murder of Mr. Hickey, was 
tried in April, 1870, and attracted wide at- 
tention. Murray had come to Owatonna as 
a railroad hand in 1866, and early in the 
spring of 1870 was living in Owatonna, 
a short distance from Hickey's place. Their 
families became involved in a quarrel, and 
the men took it up. One day they met over 
a pup|)le-pole fenpe, which bounded Hickey's 
lot, and after some words Murra}' seized a 
pole from the fence and dealt Hickey a blow 
over the head which caused his death. Mur- 
ray was placed in jail, and when arraigned 
in district court plead "not guilty." The 
case was prosecuted by J. B. Searles, 
county attorney, assisted by Att'y-Gen. Cor- 
nell. The defendant was ably represented 



by Amos Coggswell. The trial resulted in 
a verdict of guilty, and the defendant was 
sentenced to six years in the penitentiary. 
After serving about three years, however, 
he was pardoned by the governor. 

The case of State of Minnesota vs. Samuel 
E. Henry was the most important trial dur- 
ing the December term, 1874. Henry had 
committed rape upon a young girl at Bloom- 
ing Prairie. Amos Coggswell and J. M. 
Burlingame appeared for the State, and L. 
L. Wheelock and an attorney from Decorah, 
Iowa, defended the man. After an inter- 
esting trial he was convicted and sentenced 
to twenty j'ears in the penitentiary. He 
served about six years of his sentence when 
he was pardoned by the governor. 

The State of Minnesota vs. M. Keefe was 
a criminal case called for the June term, 
1875. The defendant had got into a row 
with a Norwegian named Oleson at Bloom- 
ing Prairie, during which he cut him up 
pretty badly. J. M. Burlingame prosecuted 
and Amos Coggswell defended. The pris- 
oner was found guilty and fined $500. 

In June, 1876, John Linhardt was brought 
before Judge Donaldson on the charge of 
forgery. It appears that he had forged the 
name of J. A. Oppliger to an order for $50 
on the First National Bank and passed the 
same. He was arrested at Rochester, brought 
back and held until the grand jury, which 
was m session at the time, indicted him, 
and he plead guilty and was sentenced 
to two years in the penitentiary. He 
returned all of the money except $10.25, 
having been arrested on the same day that 
he committed the crime. He was tried, 
convicted and sentenced within forty-eight 
hours after he passed the order. 

A serious stabbing aflfray occurred in the 
town of Somerset, in June, 1877, the cir- 
cumstances of which as related by one side 
were as follows : Frank Herdina, father, 
two sons and another man, left town on that 
day, just enough imbued with whisky to 
make them very quarrelsome and easily irri- 



88 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTT. 



tated. W. K. Knickerbocker, wife, child 
and a man named Barker soon followed them, 
and when about five miles south, Mr. Knick- 
erbocker drove by the Herdinas, who had 
two teams partly loaded with lumber. Mr. 
K. had gone but a short distance by them 
when they gave chase, galloping their horses 
to catch up. Soon Mr. Knickerbocker's little 
boy's hat blew oif and Mr. Barker jumped 
out to get it. The Herdinas at this juncture 
came up and jiounced onto Barker, and with 
large, two-bladed pocket-knives, the}' cut a 
gash to the bone, about eight inches long, in 
the calf of the right leg ; they tried to cut 
him in the left breast and would no doubt 
have pierced his heart, had it not been for a 
large pocketbook in his inside vest pocket, 
which was cut through several times, the 
points of the blades entering the flesh. Mr. 
Knickerbocker, who was a strong man, see- 
ing these barbarous actions, went to the 
i^escue and knocked two of the assailants 
senseless, when the other two pounced on 
his back, cutting him severely and driving 
the knife into his shoulder up to the hilt, and 
breaking off the point in the shoulder. With 
a powerful exertion Mr. Knickerbocker freed 
himself and grabbing Barker threw him into 
the wagon and jumping in himself drove 
rapidly away. He soon came to Justice 
Pike's residence and Mr. Knickerbocker 
fainted upon getting out. Mr. Pike immedi- 
ately ordered the arrest of the offenders, and 
in company with Oscar Gross succeeded in 
capturing the three Herdinas and delivered 
them to the sheriff the same night. Consta- 
ble Tiffany went out the next morning 
and captured the fourth man. Mr. Knicker- 
bocker was cut in the arm beside the shoul- 
der gash. Mr. Barker, who was only twenty 
years old, was cut thirteen times, and for 
some time his recovery was doubtful. The 
prisoners were arraigned before Judge Don- 
aUlson and bound over in the sum of $500 
each to appear at the December term of 
court, in 1877. When the case was called 
for trial a number of important additional 



facts were developed. From the evidence it 
appeared that the two parties had had some 
trouble before leaving the city, and Bailey, 
one of the Knickerbocker party had " pulled 
his coat" and dared the others to fight him. 
Also, that Barker had thrown a stone 
knocking the old man Herdina down before 
the trouble I'eally commenced, and that the 
Bohemians had responded, knocking Mr. 
Knickerbocker down. Barker was forced 
backward into a ditch, falling and pulling 
Herdina Avith him. Herdina's son tried to 
use the knife on Barker, cutting him as well 
as his own father quite severely. The jury 
was made up wholl}' of Americans, not a 
a Bohemian being allowed to sit upon it. 
They returned a verdict of guilty in each 
case and the prisoners were sentenced as fol- 
lows: Kroulik to one year in the county 
jail ; Frank Herdina, Sr., to one year in the 
penitentiary ; Frank Herdina, Jr., two years 
in the penitentiary, and Adolph Herdina to 
four years in the penitentiary. The case was 
prosecuted by J. M. Burlingame and de- 
fended by Amos Coggswell. 

After sentence was rendered in the Her- 
dina matter, the case of Frank Herdina, 
Sr., was taken to the Supreme Court on 
appeal, and a stay of judgment granted to 
await decision. In the higher court the case 
was ably contested, and finally' ended in the 
sentence of District Court being sustained. 
The syllabus of the decision was as follows : 

" State of Minnesota, respondent, vs. Frank 
Herdina, Sr., et. al., appellants. A par- 
ent has no right to protect his child in the 
commission of a crime. To convict of 
an assault with a dangerous weapon, with 
intent to do great bodily harm, one who 
comes to the assistance of the person holding 
the weapon, it is not necessary that he 
should have aided in the previous arming 
of such person. 

" Evidence merely that the defendant was 
drunk when he joined one in committing an 
assault, without any evidence of the condi- 
tion of his mind, or that he was too drunk 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



89 



to reason or know right from wrong, will 
not require a charge to the jury that if 
defendant was so drunk that he did not 
know what he was doing, they should find 
for the defendant. Order aifirmed." 

Shortly after the commencement of the 
criminal cases William F. Barkei- began a 
civil action against Frank Herdina, Sr., 
et. al., for $1,500 damages. A verdict for 
$750 was returned against Frank Herdina, 
Sr., and Adolph Herdina.- In the actions 
against Frank Herdina, Jr., and John 
Kroulik, verdicts for the defendants were 
rendered. 

Mr. Knickerbocker began similar civil 
suits in which damages were laid at $1,000. 
Verdicts were rendered for plaintiff in the sum 
of $675 against Frank Herdina, Sr., Frank 
Herdina, Jr, and Adolph Herdina, and for the 
defendant in the case against John Kroulik. 

In June, 1878, the criminal calendar con- 
tained a case entitled State of Minnesota vs. 
Claude Van Alstyne, the grand jury having 
indicted him during the latter part of May. 
When the case was called the defendant put 
in a plea of " not guilty," and Judge Amos 
Cogo'swell and Hon. L. L. Wheelock were 
appointed to conduct the defense, while 
Judge A. C. Hickman assisted the county 
attorney, J. M. Burlingame, in the prosecu- 
tion. The trial was one of great interest, 
and one of the most extensive and important 
in the history of the county. Claude Van 
Alstyne was a young man twenty-one years 
of age, a native of Belvidere, 111., but 
had lived for a number of years in But- 
ler, Bates County, Mo. He came from 
there to Minnesota. A short time before 
the crime was committed he came from 
Eochester and began working for Isaac Tur- 
telot, at Owatonna, taking out ice from 
Straight River. On the 15th of February, 
1878, he, together with Phocion Turtelot, a 
son of his employer, Lewis Arnold, L. 
Stevens, F. Davis and James Atchison were 
at work upon the ice. Phocion Turtelot, it 
appears, assumed a sort of general charge 



of the work, and coming up to where Van 
Alstyne was at work they got into a quarrel, 
in which the defendant struck Phocion with 
an ice-hook, killing him. There were two 
sides to the quarrel, as is usual in these sad 
tragedies, and we here give as near as possi- 
ble both sides : The witnesses for the pros- 
ecution all agreed upon about the following 
state of facts : "Defendant was hooking on 
the grappling hooks for the horse to pull out 
the ice. Phocion went to breaking the ice, 
and Van Alstyne told him to stop. Phocion 
said, ' I won't do it.' Defendant said, ' If 
you break it, you can draw it up yourself.' 

Phocion replied that, 'bj' , he would 

break it,' and told him : ' It's none of your 
business ; who is boss here ? ' Defend- 
ant said, ' It don't make a bit of difference. 

I am running this part of the business myself.' 
Phocion again replied that he would break 
it. Defendant stepped up toward him and 
pushed him, and Phocion jumped back on a 
cake of floating ice, then back to the bank, 
and seizing a bar says to the defendant : ' I'll 
beat your life or brains out.' Some of the 
other workmen put in a few words at about 
this time. But a second later and Van 
Alstyne struck Phocion on the head with the 
ice-hook. He then pulled out the hook. 
Phocion got up after a few minutes, made 
his way to the wagon and was taken home. 
He died from the effects of the blow, on the 
22d of February, 1878." Some of the wit- 
nesses for the State claimed that Van 
Alstyne struck two blows. The blow fract- 
ured the skull the hook having penetrated 
the skull about two inches, from which the 
brains slowly oozed. 

The theory advanced by the defense was 
that the act was justifiable under the circum- 
stances. The substance of the evidence in- 
troduced by the defense is clearly shown in 
the testimony of Claude Van Alstyne, the 
defendant. Condensed, it was about as fol- 
lows : " I was not acquainted with Turtelot 
before I came here. I went to work for hnn 
the day after I got here, on the ice. On the 



90 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



day mentioned there were there beside my- 
self, Atchison, Davis, Stevens and Arnold. 
Tm-telot was there about one hour. I did 
not see him leave. He set me to hitching on 
the grapples to haul ice onto the platform. 
He had me at that about nine days. He 
said that morning, I was to keep at that 
work, as no other man he could get could do 
the work I did on that platform. When 
Phocion was breaking the ice, I said : 
' Don't break that ice ! If you do you 
will have to draw it up yourself.' I 
had the grapples in my left hand and the 
pick I always carried in my right. He 

said: ' It's none of your business ! 

I'll do as I please; the ice don't belong to you.' 
I had no idea or intention of striking him. 
I pushed him with my hand so that he lost 
his balance. He turned right around and said : 

' I'll smash the ■- life out of you !' 

When he raised the bar, I said: ' Don't you 
strike me with that bar !' and I backed up 
as far as I could get. I told him three or 
four times not to strike me, and he struck 
at me with it. I dodged or it would have 
hit my head ; instead it hit my arm. He 
had the bar raised to strike me again, and I 
struck him with the pick. I meant to strike 
him with the stick. I didn't notice how I 
struck him. My object was to strike him 
and then get away from him. I did it to 
defend myself. That was all the object 1 
had. He fell on his knees and then fell over 
on his right elbow. As he fell I let go the 
pick handle and stepped back. Then I saw 
it was in his head, and I took hold of it and 
raised it out of his head. Then I took it and 
the bar and laid them on the ice, I guess ten 
or fifteen feet away. I think I stood and 
looked at him till he got up— as much as a 
minute. Then I stepped over to Davis and 
Atchison; I was pretty badly excited at that 
time." Tlie judge here asked the question: 
" Couldn't you have got out of there as fast 
as Phocion could? " to which the defendant 
replied; " Not with(jut turning my back on 
him, and he would luive struck me behind." 



In Judge Lord's charge to the jury, among 
many other important and interesting points 
of law set forth, were the following : " . . . 
There is no dispute but that the defendant 
struck Turtelot with this instrument, a blow 
upon the head, on the 15th of February, 
1878, and that blow resulted in his death. 
The first question is : Whether that blow 
was criminal or not ? It is claimed on the 
part of the defendant that he was justified 
in striking that blow. Now a party has a 
right to defend himself, and he has a right 
to use such a degree of force as may be nec- 
essary to defend himself, and if a felonious 
assault is made upon him he has a right, if 
necessary in protecting himself, to take the 
life of his assailant ; but he has no right 
unless it is necessary. This right of self- 
defense is limited to the necessity. It is the 
duty of the party assailed to get away if he 
can. The mere circumstances of an assault 
being made upon him does not justify his 
assaulting the other party if he can get away. 
Now, in considering whether this killing 
was necessary, in order to defend himself, 
look at the circumstances of the case, the 
situation of the parties, and their relative 
ability to defend themselves from assault; 
and consider whether, in fact, this blow was 
given in self-defense, or whether it was 
given for the purpose of killing, or for the pur- 
pose of a lesser assault than that ; whether 
it was not rather an attack upon Turtelot 
than an act of self-defense. You will find 
from the general circumstances whether this 
defendant was in any real danger of injury 
if he had stepped away and let Turtelot 
alone ; and then, further, whether it was nec- 
essary to strike such a bloAV as he did, 
supposing Turtelot was coming at him with 
that bar and he standing there defending 
himself. ..." 

The jury returned a verdict of guilty of 
manslaughter in the second degree after a 
short absence from the court-room, and the 
prisoner was sentenced to the State peniten- 
tiary for life. He remained in prison until 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



91 



the spring of 1884, when he was pardoned 
by the governor. 

An interesting case was tried at the 
December term of court, 1881. It was enti- 
tled, Joseph Kaplan vs. C, M. & St. P. E. 
R. Co. It was an action brought to recover 
$5,000 damages for the killing of the plain- 
tiff's little seven-year-old daughter by the 
defendants' train in June, 1881. Judge A. 
C. Hickman appeared for the plaintiff, and 
Gordon E. Cole for the defendants. A 
struck jury was empaneled, who brought in 
a verdict for the defendants. 

On Friday night, September 12, 1884, just 
about the time the Barrett circus, which had 
just given a performance, was breaking up, 
John Blair, a special policeman, arrested a 
woman supposed to belong to the circus. He 
started up Cedar street and when near Pot- 
ter's lumber yard a man ran against him, and 
turned to ask why Blair had run into him. 
Blair replied that he did not, when they had 
some words and the man struck Blair on the 
side of the head with a heavy club. The 
blow felled Blair and the miscreant disap- 
peared in the darkness. Blair was helped 
home and died the following morning. 
Sheriff Murray, in company with one of the 
parties who saw the blow struck, followed 
the circus to Rochester on the 13th, for the 
purpose of looking over the employes of the 
show for the murderer. They soon found 
him in the person of James Jacobs, and he 
Avas arrested and brought to Owatonna the 
same evening. 

The case of State against James Jacobs 
came to trial at the January term of court, 
1885, Judge Thomas S. Buckham, pi-esid- 
ing. The State was represented by W. F. 
Saw3'er, county attorney, and the defense by 
Judge Amos Coggswell. After a number of 
challenges, the following jury was selected 
to try the case : Lewis Burns, of Berlin ; T. 
T. Nelson, of Havana ; H. Wentworth, 
Henry Ribbe, D. W. Hines, of Aurora; M. 
Guthrie, of Blooming Brairie ; W. J. Ellis, 
of Havana; Frank McCauley and Cord 



King, of Aurora ; Frank Carlton, of Merton ; 
John Lippert, of Meriden ; and L. C. Peters, 
of Berlin. 

The following account of the trial, taken 
from one of the city papers, goes sufficiently 
into detail, and is given in full : " James 
Jacobs, the prisoner, was then brought into 
court. The first witness called on part of 
State was C. C. Garvey, of Minneapolis, who 
saw the blow struck, and who heard quarrel 
between John L. Blair and James Jacobs. 
The next witness was Edward Austin, of 
Owatonna, who repeated the story of the 
murder. Dr. L. L. Bennett was next called, 
he having had the custody of the weapon 
(the heavy stick) with which Policeman ' 
Blair was struck. Mr. Andrew Meehan, of 
Owatonna, was called and testified to what 
he saw and heard. Mr. A. McCumber, 
of "Winona County, was next sworn. He 
testified that he attended the concert after 
the circus was out. After the concert he 
went over to see the circus men load their 
wagons on the train. While there, he saw a 
gathering on or near sidewalk between rail- 
road tracks on opposite side of street. He 
ran over to within about fifteen feet. He 
saw Jacobs with a club in his hand and 
Policeman Blair raise and jjoint his pistol at 

him twice; heard prisoner say, ' 

you ! put up that pistol or I'll kill you.' The 
prisoner had just drawn club from under his 
arm or coat. Jacobs then turned and blew 
a whistle he took from his pocket, when 
those loading the wagons dropped work and 
ran over toward Jacobs. Blair put his hand 
back in coat pocket with pistol, and turned 
and began to walk south, when the prisoner 
took a few steps forward, probably fifteen or 
twenty feet, and struck Blair on side of head, 
holding club in both hands, knocking him 
into the ditch, where he fell. He got up in 
about a minute and began to reel across the 
street, when two men took him off. The 
witness, Garvey, testified that he saw girl get 
up and run out of circus and taking prisoner 
by the arm walked off with him. Also saw 



92 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Saw big 



Blair come and take her away, 
man at crossing, with club under his arm, 
brush against Policeman Blair. Prisoner 
swore and told Blair that he had run into 
him once too often. Some one shouted, 
'arrest man with club,' after which Mr. 
Garvey's testimony agreed substantially 
with Mr. McCumber's. This was the sub- 
stance of the evidence introduced by the 
State. 

The defense introduced a number of depo- 
sitions, taken in "Warsaw, Ind., showing the 
good character, steady habits and worth of 
James Jacobs when he worked there a num- 
ber of years ago. A number of depositions 
were also read taken before a justice of the 
peace in Fort Wayne, Ind. These certified 
to his good character during the winters 
when he worked around there, he having 
been away traveling with some circus each 
summer. The defense had a railway con- 
ductor sworn, who testified that he saw 
Jacobs at his work as usual about fifteen 
minutes after the concert was concluded. 
The prisoner also testified in his own behalf, 
denying that he went off with the girl, also 
stating that he never saw her until he saw 
her in jail. He stated that Blair pulled a 
revolver and threatened to shoot him ; and 
that Blair had his revolver leveled when the 
prisoner sti'uck him. Attorney Sawyer made 
an able plea to the jury on behalf of the 
State, endeavoring to convince them that the 
prisoner was guilty of willful, premeditated 
murder as charged in the indictment. Judge 
Coggswell, on the part of the defense, made 
a strong and convincing argument, review- 
ing every phase of the case. The jury after 
an absence of a few hours brought in a ver- 
dict of "guilty of manslaughter in the fourth 
degree." The judge sentenced him to State 
penitentiary for the term of four years, the 
longest period provided by law for that 
degree of crime. This verdict gave a good 
deal of dissatisfaction, as it was felt that the 
prisoner had not I'eceived the punishment he 
deserved. The night he was brought back 



from Rochester, feeling ran high and he 
narrowly escaped lynching. A large crowd 
had assembled at the depot to meet the train 
that was to bring the prisoner in, and the 
desire for lynching seemed almost unani- 
mous. II. M. Hastings, seeing the danger, 
telegi'aphed the sheriff, Hugh Murray, who 
had charge of the prisoner, and it was 
arranged to stop the train out of town and 
convey the prisoner secretly to the jail. 
Later the crowd assembled at the jail, crying 
" hang him ! hang him ! '' but Sheriff Murray 
made a timely and appropriate speech, cool- 
ing them down and warning them against 
attempting to take the law in their own 
hands, and the gathering finally dispersed. 
Great credit is due to Mr. Murray and Mr. 
Hastings for their management of the affair. 
At the June term, 1S85, was tried the case 
of State of Minnesota vs. William A^an 
Kuden, one of the most important murder 
trials in the history of Steele County. The 
details connected with the tragedy from 
which the case grew are susceptible of many 
various and conflicting versions, the friends 
of the deceased man, John Lehman, as well 
as the friends of Van Kuden, claiming that 
the fault was wholly upon the part of the 
other. However that may be, we here 
give the facts as they were related 
without coloring. It appears that near 
the line separating Steele and Dodge 
Counties, neax'ly due east from Owatonna, 
there lived until the time of this tragedy, 
two neighbors — William Van Ruden and 
John Lehman — the former in Steele and 
the latter in Dodge County. For some 
time there had been bad blood between the 
two men, and many wordy conflicts had 
taken \AAce. On the 25th of May, 1S85, 
Van Ruden left home to attend to some busi- 
ness and (luring his absence Lehman, armed 
with a gun, went over to Van Ruden's farm. 
On this point there arose an important ques- 
tion on the trial, the prosecution claiming 
that his errand was only to drive off chickens 
or something of that kind, with no evil or 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



93 



malicious intent, while the defense claimed 
that he went to commit murder. It is stated 
that Lehman shot the gun several times, and 
when remonstrated with by Mrs. Van Euden 
he abused • her, calling vile names. After 
that he would lie down in the bushes for a 
time ; then get up and walk around, and 
finally, chose a spot in the brush just across 
the county line, on his own farm, and there 
laid down. In a short time Van Ruden came 
home and his wife related what had taken 
place. Thereupon he took down his gun 
and, after seeing where Lehman lay, he 
started for the place accompanied by his 
wife. As they neared the spot Lehman 
arose with his gun in his hand, and at the 
same instant Van Ruden fired, killi-ng Leh- 
man almost instantly. Van Euden was ar- 
rested, indicted and tried in June, 1885. He 
was defended by Hon. A. C. Hickman and 
Hon. Amos Coggswell. The prosecution 
was ably represented by W. F. Sawyer, Esq., 
and an earnest and able fight was made in 
the courts. The only witnesses to the 
tragedy were the prisoner and his wife. The 
theory of the defense was that the killing 
was done in self-defense, and an important 
item of the evidence was found in the fact 
that the gun carried by the deceased when 
found was cocked and read}'^ for shooting. 
The jury found Van Euden guilty, and the 
court sentenced him to five years in the 
penitentiary, which sentence he is now serv- 
ing. 

DISTEIOT jm)GES. 

When the territory of Minnesota became 
a State, Steele County became a part of the 
fifth judicial district which then embraced 
the counties of Steele, Dakota, Goodhue, 
Scott, Eice, "Waseca, Dodge, Mower and 
Freeborn. Hon. N. M. Donaldson, of Owa- 
tonna, was the first judge of this district. 
He was first elected in October, 1857, and 
was re-elected in 1864, serving until the 31st 
of December, 1871. 

Nicholas M. Donaldson during his life was 
one of the most prominent men in the State. 



He was born at Cambridge, Washington 
County, N. Y., on the 12th of November, 
1809, his father a native of the north of 
Ireland, his mother of Scotland. Nicholas 
M. lived on a farm until eighteen, when 
he became a clerk in a store at Argyle, 
in his native county, finishing meantime his 
education at the Salem Academy. After this 
he taught school several winters and farmed 
during the summer. In 1840 he moved to 
Hayesville, Eichland County, Ohio, taught 
school two years, read law at the same time 
with Thomas W. Bartley, since a supreme 
judge of Ohio, and was admitted to the bar 
in the autumn of 1843. Mr. Donaldson 
opened an office in Mansfield, the county-seat 
of Eichland County, and when the county 
was divided in 1846 he removed to London- 
ville and was elected prosecuting attorney 
of his county. In 1849, he pushed westward 
to Waupun, Wis., and during his residence 
there was chairman of the board of super- 
visors and a member of the legislature from 
1851 to 1855. In 1856 he settled in Owa- 
tonna, and in the autumn of 1857 was elected 
judge of the fifth district, and served fourteen 
years. His death occurred at Owatonna 
early in February, 1879. 

Samuel Lord was elected judge in October, 
1871, and served from January 1, 1872, until 
February 21, 1880. 

Thomas S. Buckham, of Faribault, suc- 
ceeded Judge Lord, by appointment of the 
governor, on the 21st of February, 1880, 
and is the present judge. 

The fifth judicial district now embraces 
Steele, Waseca, Dodge and Eice Counties. 
The times fixed for holding court are as fol- 
lows : Owatonna, in June and December ; 
Mantorville, in March and October; Fari- 
bault, in May and November; Waseca, in 
March and October. 

THE BAE OF STEELE COUNTY. 

G. W. Green was undoubtedly the first 
lawyer to locate within the limits of Steele 
County. He came here from Wisconsin in 



94 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



1854 and made some investments near Owa- 
tonna, or on the town plat. A few years 
later he located at Clinton Falls, where, in 
1857, he bought the Clinton Mills. At tliat 
time he was a man of thirty-five years, per- 
haps, and a healthy, fully-developed man, 
mentally as well as physically. In "Wiscon- 
sin he had been active in public affairs as 
well as private enterprises, and there ob- 
tained his right to the title of "Judge" 
through holding the office of county judge 
for a number of years in Dodge County in 
that State. "When he bought the mill he 
took hold of the work himself, and attended 
to law business, politics and official duties 
between times. He was a man of much 
more than ordinary ability, and took a very 
prominent part here in early days — repre- 
senting Steele Countj' in the Lower House of 
the Legislature, and otherwise taking a lead- 
ing part in political and official matters. In 
1857 he was a prominent candidate for the 
nomination for district judge, but was de- 
feated by Judge Donaldson. As a lawyer, 
he was among the ablest in this portion of 
the State, well read in law, of good argu- 
mentative powers, and withal a practical 
man. It is remembered of him that he had 
the faculty of getting his cases well in hand 
and his witnesses and evidence marshalled 
in the most perfect manner. He was one of 
the most influential members of the legis- 
lature in which he served, originating and 
drafting the bill embracing the civil organi- 
zation and government of townships, and 
the supervisor system. At that time rail- 
road matters occupied a good deal of atten- 
tion, and, in fact, that was among the most 
important sessions of the legislature in the 
history of the State. Steele County was 
represented in the House by Judge Amos 
Coggswell and Judge Green, and it is doubt- 
ful whether there was a stronger delegation 
in the legislature. Mr. Coggswell was made 
Speaker of the House. The Transit — or the 
present "Winona & St. Peter Railroad — was 
then before the legislature on account of 



land grant and route matters. There was 
active work being done in behalf of the in- 
terested points to decide whether the Tran- 
sit should cross the north and south road at 
Aurora, Owatonna or Clinton Falls. Judee 
Green opposed Owatonna so activelj^ that 
when the succeeding election came he was 
defeated.. Judge Gi'een remained in Steele 
County until about 1880, when he removed 
to California, and he now lives in Salinas, 
that State. He accumulated considerable 
property while in Steele County, and since 
his residence in California he has not been 
actively engaged in an_v business. In an- 
other chapter will be found a very interest- 
ing article from Judge Green's pen. 

Amos Coggswell located here in 1856 and 
at once took his place as one of the leading 
attorneys in this part of the State. He and 
Judge Green were the principal court or 
trial lawyers in the county during those 
early days. 

M. A. Dailey located at Owatonna in 1856, 
He was originally from Washington County, 
N. Y., a man nearly forty years old at the 
time he came here. It is thought that he 
had never practiced law before settling here, 
but he was a careful and i-apid businessman, 
and an expert accountant, and it was not 
long befere he was elected to public office, 
and he soon held nearly all of the county 
offices. He then commenced his law prac- 
tice, and a great deal of business came to 
him through the various offices which he 
held. His practice was almost wholly con- 
fined to office work, foreclosing mortgages, 
making out papers, and attending to tax 
matters, and it was seldom that he went into 
court with a. case unless before a justice of 
the peace. He made money in those da^^s 
but did not seem to accumulate much. Times 
were hard, particularly from 1858 until early 
during the war. One time during this 
period, while Dailey and "W. 11. Kinyon 
(who in tlie meantime had begun practice 
here) were talking, Mr. Kinyon remarked 
that he was afraid they would finally starve 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



95 



him out, when Mr. Dailey replied that he 
was making $3,000 a year. This was an 
enormous salary for this country in early 
times, and we mention the incident to show 
the extent of Dailey's business at that time. 
In the fall of 1862 Mr. Dailey was elected 
to the Senate, and in the following spring 
he resigned, secured an appointment as 
quartermaster in some regiment and went 
into the service. After the close of the war 
he retui'ned and tried to pick up his former 
business. Other lawyers, however, had 
located here who were better posted in law, 
and more active in working up business, 
while the county offices had passed into the 
hands of other men, and in every way the 
renewed activity and general state of affairs 
made it impossible for Dailey to regain his 
former standing, either officially or in the 
law business. After a few years he secured 
an appointment in the jiostal service, and 
finally removed to Minneapolis, where he 
now lives, engaged at clerical work in a rail- 
road office. 

S. M. Yearly located here in 1S56, coming 
originally from the New England States. 
He settled upon a claim southeast of Owa- 
tonna, put up a frame house and went to 
farming in a light way, at the same time 
attending to a limited law practice. He 
held the office of prosecuting attorney of the 
county for some time during his residence 
here, and was quite an active politician, 
always being on hand at conventions and 
public meetings. After the close of the war 
he removed to the western part of the State, 
where he still lives. Yearly was very quick- 
tempered and scarcely ever tried a suit with- 
out getting half crazy with anger. He has 
been known to get so mad during the trial 
of a case, as to take up his books and quit 
the court-room in high dudgeon, leaving the 
other lawyer to try the case alone. 

W. R. Kinyon settled at Owatonna in 
1858 and at once began practice. He is still 
a resident of Owatonna, being now president 
of the First National Bank, having given up 



the active practice of law. Mr. Kinyon has 
a number of times represented the county in 
the legislature and has twice been honored 
by being chosen speaker of the House. 
Almost every enterprise or action of a pub- 
lic nature that has affected Steele county 
during the past quarter of a century has felt 
his influence and received his support. 

P. J. Nordeen was the next lawyer. He was 
a Norwegian, who, it is thought, came here 
from Wisconsin in the spring of 1859, locating 
at Owatonna and opening a law office. He 
bought a lot and commenced to build, at the 
same time attending to his law practice. 
He did not succeed in working up much 
business and after trying it for a few years 
he left. He was a young man, but had been 
admitted to the bar and engaged in practice 
before coming here. During his residence 
in Steele County he held the office of court 
commissioner for one term. 

In 1861 the bar of Steele County was 
increased by the arrival of James Thorn, 
from Juneau, Wis. He had been clerk of 
court there and been admitted to the bar. 
He opened an office here and began prac- 
tice, but did not gain much business, and 
after several years he removed to south- 
eastern Nebraska, where he engaged in the 
abstract business and became quite promi- 
nent. He was of a roving, unsettled disposi- 
tion and never accumulated much. While 
here he did not take a very prominent part 
in affairs, and only made a bare living, if that. 

A. A. Harwood located here sometime 
during the latter part of the war, or about 
the time Thorn left. He was a man of about 
thirty years of age at that time and had 
been practicing law in Wisconsin. He 
brought his family with him, bought a home 
and opened a law office. He had a good 
deal of push and energy, and was not back- 
ward in advancing his own interests. He 
became quite prominent here, holding vari- 
ous county offices, and was a prominent can- 
didate for the office of State Superintendent 
of Public Instruction, to succeed Mark H. 



96 



,1 ' 



,.>' 



^ 



) .0^"'' 



HISTOET OF STEELE COUNTY. 



V 



r 



Bunnell when the hitter was elected to Con- 
gress. After a residence here of about four- 
teen 3'ears llarwood removed to Austin, 
where he engaged m the publication of a 
newspaper and was ]iostinaster for a number 
of years. Finally he secured an appoint- 
ment to a government clerkship and removed 
to Washington, where his wife still lives. 
He died several years ago. 

These were the lawyers of early days. 
Since that time' a great many have come and 
gone. Some only to remain a short time, 
others who became in a measure prominent. 
It is sufficient, however, to merely give, in 
this connection, the personal history of each 
of the gentlemen who compose 

THE BAK OF TO-DAY. 

The present bar of Steele County com- 
prises a number of gentlemen of State re^iu- 
tation, and, as a whole, a more genial and 
intellectual lot of men could scarcely be 
found in any county of the State. The fol- 
io \ving is a list of the present members of 
the Steele County bar : 

Hon. Amos Coggswell, Hon. J. M. Bur- 
lingame, Hon. L. L. Wheelock, Hon. A. C. 
Hickman, W. A. Sperry, C. "W. Hadley, 
Hon. L. Hazen, M. B. Chad wick, Hon. H. H. 
Johnson, H. E. Johnson, E. W. Richter, W. 
F. and J. A. Sawyer, all of Owatonna, and 
A. D. Ingersoll, of Blooming Prairie. 

Hon. Amos Coggswell was born in Bos- 
cawen, N. H., September 29, 1825. His 
early education was received in the common 
schools of his native county. When sixteen 
years old he went to Gilmanton Academy, 
where he attended three years, after which 
he entered the law office of Hon. Franklin 
Pierce, at Concord. Three years latei* he 
was admitted to the bar, and came west to 
McHenry County, 111., where he began the 
practice of his profession. In 1853 he was 
given an appointment in the general Land 
Office at Washington. In August, 185(i, he 
came to Steele Count}'. In 1857 was chosen 
to act as a member of the constitutional con- 



vention. In 1860 was elected to a seat in 
the House of Representatives and was made 
speaker. From 1872 to 1875, inclusive, was 
in the State Senate, and then for one j'ear 
was probate judge of Steele County. Mr. 
Coggswell was married in 1818 to Miss Har- 
riet I. Clark, who died in 1869. He was 
again married in 1873 to Mrs. Lucinda Dun- 
ning, who died eighteen months later. He 
Avas once more united in matrimony in 1879 
to Mrs. Mary A. Allen, a native of New 
York. Ileman C, Helen, wife of James 
Riley, of Watertown, D. T., and Abbie are 
the names of his children, all of whom are 
by his first wife. Mr. Coggswell is a Mason, 
being a member of the Blue Lodge and 
Chapter at Owatonna. He is an easy and 
effective speaker and an able lawyer. For 
over a quarter of a century he has been 
upon one side or the other of nearly every 
important civil or criminal case tried in Steele 
County, and, as a criminal lawyer, his reputa- 
tion extends throughout the State. 

The following sketch of Hon. J. M. Bur- 
lingame appeared in the /St. Paul Globe in 
January, 1885, among other sketches of mem- 
bers of the legislature of Minnesota of that 
year: 

"James M. Burlingame, of the twelfth 
district, was born in Sterling, Windham 
County, Conn., and is forty-six years old. 
He was a student at Plainfield Academy, 
Connecticut ; afterward prepared for admis- 
sion to the scientific course of Michigan Uni- 
versity, at Monroe, Mich., under Edwin 
Willett — a graduate of the university and 
since member of Congress — and for admis- 
sion to the classical course of the university 
at Ann Arbor, under Prof. Abbot, now 
at the head of the agricultural department 
of the university located at Lansing. He 
completed the law course of the Michigan 
University, graduating with the first class 
that took the full two years' course in March, 
1861, and was at that time admitted to the 
l)ar of Michigan. He went immediately 
from there to Albany, N. Y. ; taught Latin 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



97 



and mathematics in the Albany Female Sem- 
inary two years, occupying a portion of each 
day in the law office of McHarg & Burlin- 
game ; enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Fifty-seventh Eegiment New York Volun- 
teers in 186i (having been rejected on a 
former enlistment in 1861 on account of fee- 
ble health) ; was assigned to service in the 
Second Battalion located in New York har- 
bor ; visited the armies of Thomas, Sherman 
and Grant in chai'ge of recruits ; served till 
the close of the war, then returned to Albany 
and went to Illinois and remained one year ; 
was editor of the Decatur Tribune in 1866. 
He came to Owatonna in April, 1867; was 
city attorney of Owatonna nine years, and 
county attorney of Steele County from 
December 1, 1872, to January 1, 1883 ; was 
married to Marie Louise Grant, of Lexington, 
Ky., in 1866." 

The following account of Mr. Burlingame's 
services in the legislature of Minnesota is 
taken from the Owatonna Journal. 

In November, ISSl, he was elected to the 
legislature and served on the Judiciary, 
Railroad and Education committees. He 
was chairman of the latter committee and 
the attorney of the Railroad Committee, in 
which position he formulated the railroad 
law which is now upon our statute books and 
which has been of almost incalculable value 
to the State. Although new to legislative 
duties, it being his first experience in a leg- 
islative body, Mr. Bui'lingame commenced 
his labors at once as will be seen by the fol- 
lowing extract from the reports of proceed- 
ings in the House : 

" The first bill to come before the House 
in Committee of the "Whole was Mr. Burlin- 
game's, providing for a vote on a constitu- 
tional convention." This bill in Mr. B.'s 
custody passed the House without a dissent- 
ing vote. 

The State Public School Bill was another 
measure in wliich Mr. Burlingame took a 
deep interest, and, as chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Education, hastened it back to the 



House, having combined Mr. Leneau's bill 
and his own and recommended it for passage, 
when under the joint custody of Mr. Leneau 
and himself its passage was secured without 
a dissenting vote. 

Of the part he took in railroad legislation 
the St. Paul papers commented as follows : 

" Mr. Burlingame has figured prominently 
thus far in such debate as has been drawn 
out on the Railroad Bill. He won the confi- 
dence of the Railroad Committee by present- 
ing the bill which most nearly met the 
approval of the committee, and to him has 
since fallen the task of formulating as nearly 
as possible the ideas of a majority of the 
committee. In the explanations and such 
other debate as he has been drawn into, he 
has shown readiness, clear-headedness and 
facilit}' of statement. He talks like a law- 
yer, works like a business man, and is on 
good terms with everybody with whom he 
comes in contact. He will probably have 
much to say in the railroad debate on Tues- 
day." — St. Paul Pioneer Press. 

" The feature of the day has been the 
House special order, set for 11 o'clock, con- 
sideration of the Railroad Bill. 

" Mr. Burlingame made an extended and 
strong speech in its favor, from the com- 
mittee on railroads. Mr. Burlingame was 
followed with marked attention, especially 
in view of the fact that, as the judicial mem- 
ber of the committee, he has been relied 
upon to guard the legal points. Marked 
applause greeted Mr. Burlingame at the con- 
clusion of his speech." — St. Paul Dispatch. 

" Mr. Burlingame's work upon the Railroad 
Committee was particularly important and 
laborious, from the fact of his being the only 
lawyer upon it. In consequence the delicate 
work devolved upon him of passing upon 
various legal points involved in the measures 
considered, more especially the committee's 
own bill, the general arrangement of which 
he had also to supervise. It will thus be seen 
that Mr. Burlingame's first legislative exper- 
ience has been very far removed from a 



98 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



holiday season. . . . Being as he is in the 
very pi-ime of life, with a jnind already well 
stored with useful and professional knowl- 
eilge, industry and commendable ambition, 
and full of bodily vigor, Mr. Burlingame 
should and probably will be heard [from in 
more important positions than he has yet 
occupied." — St. Paid Glohe. 

" Kepresentative Burlingame, of Steele 
County, a lawyer of very great ability, has 
made himself very popular with his co-work- 
ers by his well-expressed and sensible views 
on various subjects, more especially on rail- 
road legislation, in which he has taken a 
leading hand as a member of the Eailroad 
Committee. It was he who drafted the well- 
known Eailroad Bill which created so much 
agitation but finally went through." — St. 
Paul Dispatch. 

During the session of the legislature Mr. 
Burlingame obtained a large acquaintance- 
ship and became one of the most popular mem- 
bers of the House. His friends were very anx- 
ious that he should be selected one of the mem- 
bers of the railroad commission, but that was 
impracticable. During the past eighteen 
years he has been a faithful worker in the 
ranks of the Kepublican party in this State. 
He has never faltered or hesitated in givino- 
his time and labor to secure the success of 
the party. During his long services as 
county attorney, he succeeded in suppress- 
ing a lawless element and worked a reform 
which has proven thorough and lasting. 
His labors to procure proper railroad legis- 
lation by the last legislature show the 
depth of his sympathies for the laboring 
masses, be they farmers, merchants or me- 
chanics. 

Mr. Burlingame's father,?. M. Burlingame, 
and uncle, James Burlingame, were both min- 
isters of the Christian Church, the latter for 
more than fifty years. The names of his an- 
cestors, so far as he can now recall them, 
were Peter Montgomery, Peter, Nathan 
Thomas, Joshua Roger. His grandmother, 
wife of Peter, was Elizabeth Montgomery', a 



relative of Richard Montgomery, a general 
in the Revolutionary War. His grandfather 
also served in the same war, and prior to the 
age of railroads he was the contractor and 
builder of the Providence and Hartford turn- 
pike. Mr. Burlingame's mother was Harriet 
Dean, daughter of Christopher and Lydia 
Dean, of Windham County, Conn. Mr. 
Burlingame is now engaged in the practice 
of the law at Owatonna and at Austin, 
and is also attorney for the Business Men's 
Association of Minnesota, and the Boards of 
Trade Union of Northfield and other cities, 
for whom he has several cases j^ending 
before the State and Interstate Commerce 
commissions. He has five children living, 
James Montgomery, Ernst Marshall, Robert 
Morrison, Ruth and Harold Grant. Two 
have gone before, Carroll Dean and Marie 
Louise. Mrs. Burlingame is a relative of the 
Marshalls and Morrisons of Virginia and 
Iventuckjr, and of the Grants of Kentucky 
and Ohio. Thus the old family names of 
both branches recur in the names of the 
children. 

Prominent among the men who have taken 
an active part in developing the resources 
and in advancing the interests of Owatonna 
and of the State, is Hon. Lewis L. Wheelock. 
He is a son of Lewis L. Wheelock, Sr., 
and Mary Howe Wheelock, and Avas born at 
Mannsville, Jefferson County, N. Y., on 
November 12, 1839. At the early age of 
ten years our subject was left an orphan, and 
thrown upon his own resources. He received 
his early education in the public schools of 
his native State, and at the age of twenty 
he was employed as a teacher in the Mace- 
don Academy, in Waj'^ne Count}', N. Y., 
serving in that capacity until the outbreak 
of the Civil War. In 1S62, he enlisted as a 
private in the One Hundred and Sixtieth 
New York Volunteers ; was mustered in as 
fii'st lieutenant of Company B. He was 
subsequently promoted to captain of Com- 
pany C, of the same regiment, ami served a 
trifle over three years. At the battle of 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



99 



Opequon, near Winchester, September 19, 
1864-, he was wounded in the right arm, 
below the elbow, and was laid up for a 
month. His regiment was mustered out 
at Savannah, Ga., in November, 1SG5. The 
colonel of this regiment was Charles C. 
Dwight, of Auburn, now on the Supreme 
bench of that State. Capt. Wheelock read 
law with Mr. Dwight, came to Owatonna in 
1866, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. 
Subsequently he went to Georgia, and was 
connected with the Freedmen's Bureau for 
some months. He returned north in 1868, 
attended a course of lectures at the Albany 
Law School, and then opened an office at 
Owatonna. Since residing at Owatonna he 
has been city attorney and judge of probate. 
In 1876-7 was in the State Senate. During 
both sessions was chairman of the Committee 
on Education, and also served on Eailroad 
and Judiciary committees. He is the pres- 
ent postmaster of Owatonna, is a Knight 
Templar, and a member of the Congrega- 
tional Church. On July 25, 1871, Mr. 
Wheelock was married to Miss Adaline 
Burch, of Hillsdale, Mich. Following are 
the names of their children : Mary A. (de- 
ceased), Lewis B. (deceased), Arthur B., Lo- 
renzo D., Addie C, Minnie and Paul, twins. 
In 1887 he was elected department com- 
mander for Minnesota of the Grand Army of 
the Republic, which position he holds at this 
writing. Mr. Wheelock, during his service 
in the State Senate, became one of the most 
influential and prominent members of that 
body, being an able speaker and parliament- 
arian. His many years' residence here, 
together with the various public offices 
which he has held, and the prominent part 
he has taken in public and pohtical matters, 
have made him well-known throughout the 
State. 

No western State can boast of an abler 
bar than Minnesota. Prominent among those 
men who have here reached the higher walks 
of the profession, and have done much to 
build up the fame of the State, is Hon. Adam 

L»ve. 



C. Hickman, of Owatonna. He was born in 
Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1837. His 
early life was spent on a farm in that county. 
On reaching the proper age he entered Al- 
legheny College at Meadville, Pa., and grad- 
uated from that institution in 1862. He 
then began the study of law and in 1863 
graduated from the Ohio State and Union 
Law College at Cleveland. After practicing a 
year at Akron, Ohio, he came west, locating 
in Owatonna. In 1866 he was elected super- 
intendent of public schools of Steele County, 
and served two years in that capacity. 
From 1869 to 1873 he was judge of the pro- 
bate Court. In the fall of 1882 was elected 
to the State Senate, and represented this dis- 
trict in that body until January, 1887. Mr. 
Hickman is a Mason, being a member of 
Blue Lodge No. 33 and also of the Chapter 
and Commandery. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. On Novem- 
ber 9, 1875, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Ella B. Peck, a native of New York. 
Judge Hickman is a man of fine personal ap- 
pearance. He is among the best known law- 
yers of this jmrt of the State ; a clear and 
forcible speaker, ready in debate, careful in 
details and has justly earned the high reputa- 
tion he has attained. 

Wesley A. Sperry, county attorney, was 
born in Oakland County, Mich., in 1847. He 
spent his early life in his native county. In 
1873 he graduated from the Ann Arbor Law 
School, and the following year he began the 
practice of law at Mantorville, Minn. In 
ten days after his ai'rival there he was ap- 
pointed county attorney and was elected to 
that position two subsequent terms. He 
came to Owatonna again in the fall of 1879 
and formed a partnership with Judge L. L. 
Wheelock. In the fall of 1886 he was elect- 
ed county attorney of Steele County. Mr. 
Sperry is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. He was married on 
Christmas Day, 1878, to Miss Julia A. Steele, 
a native of New York State. Clara L. is 



100 



HISTORY OF STEELE COTJNTT. 



the name of their only child. Mr. Sperry is 
one of the best read lawyers in the county. 
He is an eifective advocate, and the firm of 
Wheelock & Sperry have an extensive prac- 
tice. 

Charles W. Hadley, attorney-at-law, was 
born in Grafton County, N. H., in 1844. In 
1850 his father moved with his famih' to 
Rockton, 111., thence to Maquoketa, Iowa. 
Here Mr. Hadley took an academical course, 
and later entered Cornell College at IVFt. 
Vernon. In 1801 he left school and enlisted 
in Company H, Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry. He was taken prisoner at Shiloh, 
and was paroled the following September. 
He was discharged in June, 1863. He came 
to Owatonna in 1870, was admitted to the 
bar in 1874, and has practiced here since that 
time. He was married June 17, 1874, to 
Miss Lillie C. Adams. Albert W. is the 
name of their only child. Mr. Hadley is 
adjutant of James A. Goodwin Post No. 
81, Grand Army of the Eepublic. 

Miles B. Chadwick, of the firm of Hick- 
man & Chadwick, was born near Franklin, 
Venango County, Pa., in 1843. He attended 
Allegheny College, at Meadville, and grad- 
uated from that institution with honors in 
1867, and then went to Cleveland, where he 
graduated from the Ohio State and Union 
Law School in 1869. He came to Owatonna 
in 1870, and was associated with Mr. Hick- 
man until 1878, when he was elected county 
auditor, a position he held for four terms. 
He was married in 1872 to Miss Helen S. 
Laird, a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chad- 
wick is a prominent Mason. He was elected 
clerk of the State Legislature in 1874-5, and 
has held many other positions of trust and 
importance. 

Col. Harvey H. Johnson, attorney, was 
born in Rutland, Vt., in 1808. He studied 
law and was admitted to the bar there. 
Later he located in Akron, Ohio, where lie 
was mayor and postmaster for a number of 
years. He moved from there to Asliland in 
1846, and while residing there represented his 



district in the XXXIIId Congress. He came 
to Minnesota in 1855, and was for some time 
connected with the Winona & St. Peter Rail- 
road Co. His son, Robert H. Johnson, was 
born in Akron, Ohio, in 1846. Pie enlisted 
in Company I, Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer 
Infantry, and served one year in defense of 
his country. He came to Owatonna in 18()5, 
and was for some time engaged in tlie lum- 
ber business. Later he went into the boot 
and shoe trade, and is now in the insui-unce 
business. He was elected city marshal in 
1886. He was married in 1871 to Miss Ida 
Morley, a native of New York State. 
Calista A., Harvey M., Ralph S. and Robert 
are their children's names. Mr. Johnson is 
a member of James A. Goodwin Post, Grand 
Army of the Republic No. 81. 

Edward W. Richter, attorney-at-law, was 
born near Berlin, Waushara County, Wis., in 
1851. When he was two years old his parents 
moved to Ripon, Wis., where Mr. Richter 
received his education at Ripon College. He 
came to Dodge County in 1869, and in 1876 
went to Rochester, where he studied law two 
years with Start & Gove. He was admitted 
to the bar at Owatonna in 1881, after which 
he became a partner of Judge Amos Coggs- 
well. After some eighteen months this busi- 
ness relationship was dissolved, and Mr. 
Richter engaged in practice alone. He was 
chosen city attorney in 1883 and held the 
position for about three years. He is now 
doing an extensive real estate and loan busi- 
ness in connection with his legal practice. 
Mr. Richter was married in October, 1881, to 
Miss O'Connor, a native of Massachusetts. 
Edward M., Mary and Jean Paul are their 
children's names. Our subject is a member 
of the Catholic Church. 

J. A. Sawyer, of the law firm of Sawyer 
& Sawyer, was born in Merrimac County, 
N. H., in 1846. When eight years, his old 
father's family came west to Illinois and to 
Minnesota in 1856. Our subject received his 
education at Northfield, where he graduated 
in 1877. He afterward studied law and was 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



101 



admitted to the bar in the spring of 1880. 
The firm of Sawyer & Sawj'er also have an 
office at Waseca and do an extensive legal 
business. Mr. Sawyer's father, Joseph Saw- 
yer, died in the fall of 1886, aged nearly 
eighty-five j'ears. Our subject was married 
in 1882 to Miss E. N. Abbott, a native of 
New Hampshire. The names of their chil- 
dren are Abbott "W. and Carleton J. 

W. F. Saw3^er, junior member of the firm 
of Sawyer & Sawyer, was born in Merrimac 
County, New Hampshire, October 26, 1850. 
He received his education at Carlton College 
in Northfield. He was married November 7, 
1883, to Miss Ella P. Coffman, a native of 
Pennsylvania, and they have been blessed 
with two children, Leon G. and Alice B. Mr. 
Sawyer studied law and was admitted to the 
bar in Steele County in December, 1876. 



A. D. IngersoU, attorney, of Blooming 
Prairie, is a native of Dodge County, Wis., 
born November 8, 1852. His parents were 
A. and Mary (McNamara) IngersoU. They, 
in company with A. D., came to Blooming 
Prairie in October, 1878. The father lived 
in the village until the time of his death in 
1882. Mrs. IngersoU is still living there. 
A. D. began to read law with E. Hooker, of 
Waupun, Wis., in Novembei^ 1876, and re- 
mained with him until October, 1878, when 
he came west and was admitted to the bar 
in June, 1877, at Port Washington, Wis. 
Since his arrival in Minnesota he has devoted 
his attention entirelj^ to his profession. He 
was married June 19, 1880, to Miss Eunice 
T. Bowker. Their union has been blessed 
with two children — Marion, aged four: 
Chester, aged one year. 




CHAPTER XII. 



THE PRESS. 





riETlE is no instrumentality, not 
even excepting the pulpit and the 
bar, which exerts such an influence 
tF^;^' u])on society as the press of the 
and. It is the Archimedian lever 
that moves the world. The tal- 
ented minister of the Gospel on 
the Sabbath day preaches to a lew 
hundred people; on the following 
morning his thoughts are repro- 
duced more than a thousandfold, and are 
read and discussed throughout the lengtli 
and breadth of the land. The attorney at 
the bar, in thrilling tones, pleads for or 
against the criminal arraigned for trial, often 
causing the jury to bring in a verdict against 
the law and the testimony in the case. His 
words are reproduced in every daily that is 
reached by the telegraphic wire, and liis 
arguments are caJmly weighed by unpreju- 
diced men and accepted for what they are 
worth. The politician takes the stand and 
addresses a handful of men upon the political 
questions of the day ; his speech is reported, 
and read by a thousand men for every one 
that heard the address. Suddenly the waters 
of one of our mighty rivers rise, overflowing 
the land for miles and miles, rendering 
thousands of people homeless, and without 
means to secure their daily bread. The news 
is flashed over the wire, taken up by the 
press, and known and read of all men. No 
time is lost in sending to their relief ; the 
press has made known their wants, and thej^ 
are instantly supplied. "Chicago is on fire! 
Two hundi'ed millions' worth of property 
destroyed ! Fifty thousand people rendered 
homeless!" Such is the dread intelligence 



proclaimed by the press. Food and clothing 
are hastily gathered, trains are chartered, 
and the immediate wants of the sufferers are 
in a measure relieved. 

The power for good or evil, of the press, 
is to-day unlimited. The shortcomings of 
the politician are made known through its 
columns ; the dark deeds of the wicked are 
exposed, and each fear it alike. The con- 
trolling influence of a nation, state or county 
is its press ; and the press of Steele County 
is no exception to the rule. 

Tlie local press is justly considered among 
the most important institutions of every 
city, town and village. The people of every 
community regard their particular news- 
paper or newspapers as of peculiar value, 
and this not mereh^ on account of the fact 
already alluded to, but because these papers 
are the repositories wherein are stored the 
facts and the events, the deeds and the say- 
ings, the undertakings and the achievements 
that go to make up final history. One by 
one these things are gathered and placed in 
type ; one by one the papers are issued ; one 
by one these papers are gathered together 
and bound, and another volume of local, 
general and individual history is laid away 
imperishable. The volumes thus collected 
are sifted by the historian, and the book for 
the library is ready. The people of each city 
or town naturally have a pride in tlieir home 
paper. The local press, as a rule, reflects 
the business enterprise of a place. Judging 
from this standard, the enterprise of the 
citizens of Steele County is indeed commend- 
able. Its papers are well filled each week 
with advertisements of home merchants and 



103 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



105 



of its business enterprises. No p;i])er can 
exist without these advertisements, and no 
community can flourfsh that does not use 
the advertising cohimns of its local press. 
Each must sustain the other. 

THE WATCHMAN AND REGISTER. 

The first paper started in the county was 
under the above title. It was established 
at Owatonna, in July, 1856, by J. H. Abbott 
and A. B. Cornell, who purchased press, type 
and fixtures of Maj. W. A. Hotchkiss, at that 
time editor and publisher of the Northwest- 
ern Democrat, at St. Anthony. Mr. Cornell 
acted as editor and business manager for a 
time, when the services of H. M. Sheetz, an 
experienced newspaper man, were secured as 
editor. Sometime in 1857 the word Watcli- 
ma/)i was dropjjed from the name, and the 
Oioatonna Register was published until some 
time in the winter of 1857-8, with Abbott 
& Cornell and W. F. Pettit as proprietors, 
and 11. M. Sheetz as editor, and then it was 
discontinued. It had been a useful means 
of advertising the localit}^ and did its full 
share in molding the public mind. The 
only copy of the early issues of the Watch- 
man and Register still in existence, we 
believe, is one which Dr. E. M. Morehouse 
has preserved. It is no. 2, vol. I, and bears 
date of July 29, 1856. The proprietors 
are given as J. H. Abbott and A. B. Cornell, 
while the names of A. B. Cornell and C. T. 
Smeed appear as editors. The paper is a 
seven-column folio, neatly printed and ably 
edited, and supports the " Democratic-Kepub- 
lican ticket," headed by John C. Fremont for 
President, and William L. Dayton for Vice- 
President. The local advertisers in this issue 
were : 

A. B. Cornell, attorney-at-law and real- 
estate agent ; A. Town, general merchan- 
dise store; F. "Wilbur Fisk, of Franklin, 
land agent; Sylvester McNitt, justice of 
the peace ; John W. Park, surveyor ; N. 
Winship, hotel ; Philo Sanford, hotel ; E. 
M. Morehouse, physician ; Joel Wilson, black- 
r 



smith; Moses Eivard, shoemaker; and 
Charles Ellison, register of deeds. 

All through this paper the name of the 
county -seat is spelled " Owatonia." 

In another chapter we give a number of 
extracts from this pai)er. 

THE MEDFOKD VALLEY ARGUS 

Was the second journal to lay claim to public 
favor as a " retailer of the doings and say- 
ings"- of Steele County. It was published 
at Medford, dating its first appearance about 
the middle of August, 1858, and was under 
the control of Messrs. Francis & Sulley. It 
was printed with the same material which 
had been used in the publication of the 
Register, the material having been purchased 
of the company by William F. Pettit, and 
by him sold to Mr. Bartholomew, of Med- 
ford. Messrs. Francis & Sulley leased it 
of Mr. Bartholomew. Mr. Sulley soon sold 
his interest to Mr. J. R. Lucas, and the pub- 
lication was continued for a short time, when 
the enterprise was abandoned, and the 
material was rented to H. M. Sheetz, who 
removed it back to Owatonna. 

THE OWATONNA JOURNAL. 

This paper was started by H. M. Sheetz, 
with the material which he had secured at 
Medford, and made its appearance shortly 
after the demise of the Argxts. It was a 
seven-column sheet, neatly printed and ably 
edited, and was received with marked favor 
by its patrons. It was Eepublican in poli- 
tics and the earnest and devoted advocate of 
all reforms. In October, 1859, Mr. Sheetz 
died, and the Jotirnal was carried on by his 
widow for some time thereafter. Hon. Will- 
iam F. Pettit, at that time State senator 
from Steele County, had started a project to 
allow Mrs. Sheetz, who was a woman of con- 
siderable literary ability, to retain the olfice 
as a mark of esteem from the public, whom 
her husband had so faithfully served, and 
had already received $150 from his fellow 
members of the Senate to aid in carrying out 



106 



ni STORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



tliis benevolent project. But upon returning 
home he found that the oiRce had been sold 
to A. B. Cornell, which at once put a stop to 
the publication of the Journal. 

THE NEWS LETTER. 

Shortly after the suspension of the Jour- 
nal, the News Letter was established by A. 
B. Cornell. He kept up the enterprise until 
1862, when he took a sutler's position in the 
army, and Mrs. Cornell continued the publi- 
cation of a small sheet some three or four 
columns in width until 1863, when Dr. Kelly, 
editor of the Plaindealer, which in the 
meantime had been started, purchased the 
job office and the good-will of the News Let- 
ter, and its publication was discontinued. 

THE OWATONNA EEPKESENTATIVE. 

In the summer of 1860 Messrs. William F. 
Pettit and John H. Abbott assisted J. "W". 
Crawford in the purchase of an office in Man- 
torville. Dodge County, and the jjublication 
of the Owatonna Representative was com- 
menced. It was an eight-column sheet and 
was very ably conducted and well printed, 
reflecting much credit upon the enterprise of 
the citizens who sustained it, as well as those 
who conducted it. It was continued for 
about eighteen months, when Mr. Crawford 
entered the army, and Messrs. Pettit and 
Abbott sold the material to James E. Child, 
of Wilton, Waseca County. 

THE OWATONNA REGISTER 

Was started by A. B. Cornell soon after his 
return from the army. It was published 
in an independent, neutral manner, conse- 
quently meeting with poor success, yet it 
continued to drag out an existence for some 
little time, when it succumbed from want of 
proper sustenance, and publication was dis- 
continued. 

THE OWATONNA DEMOCRAT. 

This was a newspaper aspirant for public 
favor, started with Capt. J. D. Wood as 
editor and proprietor. It was received with 



considerable enthusiasm by the Democracy, 
as it was a purel}^ Democratic ])aper; j'et it 
did not receive sufficient support to meet the 
necessary expenditures, and after trying the 
experiment for about a year it was discon- 
tinued. 

THE VIDETTE. 

In the spring of 1867 J. A. Spellman 
started a pajier called the Vidette. It was a 
seven-column folio, and Independent Kepub- 
lican in politics. It was continued only for 
a short time, when it was mei'ged with the 
Journal, Mr. Spellman becoming one of the 
proprietors of that paper. 

THE OWATONNA REGISTER. 

In 1867 another Democratic paper was 
started, which was called the Choatonna 
Register, under the control of Mr. C. F. 
George. He continued its publication at a 
pecuniaiy loss for about one year, wheji the 
office was removed to Faribault. 

THE OWATONNA PLAINDEALER. 

In April, 1863, Dr. L. H. Kelley com- 
menced the publication of a paper called the 
Owatonna Plaindealer. The town was then 
growing rapidly, the business kept increasing 
until the Plaindealer became one of the best 
paying offices in this part of the State. It 
was started as a seven-column paper, but in 
the spring of 1866 was enlarged to an eight- 
column folio. In the fall of the same year 
the office was purchased by Tappan, Higbee 
& Hathaway. The new firm shortly after- 
ward commenced the publication of the 

REPUBLICAN JOURNAL, 

and in a few weeks the firm became Iligbee, 
Spellman & Bickham, and the name of the 
paper became 

THE OWATONNA JOURNAL, 

although tlie policy and politics of the 
paper remained the same — Republican. Mr. 
Bickham was then a Democrat and for a 
time part of the paper was given to Dem- 
ocracy. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



107 



The files of the Otoatonna Journal com- 
mence with the issue of January 13, 1876 ; at 
least we have been unable to find any copies 
of prior issues. At that time the paper was 
running as an eight-column folio. The pro- 
prietors at that time were Crandall & Bick- 
ham — C. S. Crandall, W. H. Bickham — and 
Thursday was the day of issue. It was very 
neatly gotten up and well filled with local 
and general news, as well as having a good 
run of local advertising. During the same 
winter Mr. Crandall, one of the firm, was 
appointed postmaster, and that partially 
severed his former intimate connection with 
the management of the Journal. The issue 
of October 19, 1876, was the last bearing the 
names of Crandall & Bickham as editors, for 
F. T. Di'ebert purchased it and assumed 
charge with the following issue. 

In parting with the Journal Mr. Crandall 
severed his connection by saying : " With 
this issue of i\\e Journal ni}' connection with 
it ceases. During a period of nine years my 
relations with this paper have* given me a 
weekly medium of communication with the 
people of this county." His political tend- 
encies were evidently not difl'erent from 
what we find them to-day, for he says : " I 
cannot view the effort to place the control of 
the destinies of this country in the hands of 
the South with any other feeling than of the 
profoundest anxiety for our country. Look- 
ing over that country to which the scepter 
would be given by such an act, I see a total- 
ly different people, a different civilization, 
morally and intellectually, and following 
such a change, I see nothing but a downward 
tendency in the future. Whatever may be 
your party preference here at home, let no 
man deceive you into the belief that the path 
to reform leads to the late Southern Confed- 
eracy." 

With the issue on the 26th of October, 
1876, the name of F. T. Drebert appears at 
the head of the columns as editor and pro- 
prietor. The policy of the paper was not 
changed, as will be seen by the following ex- 



tract from Mr. Drebert's salutatory presented 
in his first issue. 

" ... There will be no change in the 
political course of the Journal. I cast my 
first vote for the first Eepublican candidate 
for the presidency and have since] been 
steadfast in the faith. To the end of my 
life I shall remain loyal to the principles of 
freedom, progress and nationality. If the 
relations existing between myself and the 
Republican party are ever severed, that party 
must abandon its cardinal doctrines, an event 
I cannot conceive as likely to occur, so long 
as its ranks are composed of the truest pa- 
triots of the land, and its destinies directed 
by the wisest and most conscientious of our 
citizens. As a local paper the Journal will 
labor earnestly to advance the best interests 
of Owatonna, Steele County and Minnesota. 
I have come to stay to identify myself with 
the citizens of the city, county and State, and 
become one of them. Their interests wiU be 
my interests, and in being true to them I 
shall also be true to myself. ... " 

Since that time Mr. Di'ebert has retained 
his connection with the paper. At the time 
he came, the office was kept in what was 
known as the Dresser building on the east 
side of Main street. It remained there until 
the building which the office now occupies 
was completed, when it was moved to its 
present finely-finished apartments in what is 
commonly called the Temple Block. One 
incident in the history of the Journal was its 
connection with the failure of L. Bixby's 
Review. Mr. Bixby had rented the material 
of that oifice to A. H. Lewis, and in 1879 he 
made arrangements with Mr. Drebert to turn 
over the subscription in the manner of a con- 
solidation of the two, the publication of the 
Review to cease, and, according to the ar- 
rangement, while he did not become a partner 
in the publication, he was to get a percentage 
on the job work and advertising. By consent 
of Mr. Drebert he moved a lot of paper and 
stock into the Journal rooms for storage 
purposes. As soon as Mr. Bixby learned of 



108 



HISTORY OF STEELE COTNTT. 



this he got out a writ of replevin and secured 
possession of the material, making Mr. Dre- 
bert a co-defendant. When the suit was 
settled Mr. Bixby started a paper called The 
liemeAo, having copied the' subscription list. 
This paper was afterward removed to Min- 
neapolis and became the Temperance Review. 
On the 12th of February, 1886, the Jour- 
nal was consolidated with the Herald, which 
had been established by the Soper Brothers, 
and the name of the paper became the 

JOURNAL AND HERALD. 

Under this arrangement the firm name 
became Drebert & Soper brothers — en j>er- 
sonncl, F. T. Drebert, J. A. and W. B. So])er. 
W. B. Soper retired from the firm in October, 
188(5, leaving the management in the same 
hands as we still find it — Drebert & Soper 
— F. T. Drebert and J. A. Soper. The Jour- 
nal and Herald office is undoubtedly one of 
the finest and most extensively equipped 
offices in the State, outside of Minneapolis and 
St. Paul, and is a credit to Owatonna. It is 
furnished with a newspaper cylinder press, a 
Babcock pony cylinder with steam power 
attached, and three other presses for general 
work ; its assortment of poster, jobbing and 
news type is very extensive, and in fact the 
oflice has capacity for any class of work. 
The paper has attained a wide circulation, 
not only locally, but in a general sense, and 
as an exponent of Kepublican doctrines its 
influence in the party and with the people is 
not surpassed by any journal in this portion 
of the State. 

F. T. Drebert, senior member of the firm 
of Drebert & Soper, proprietors of the Jour- 
nal and Herald, was born in Baltimore, Md., 
March 7, 1831. "While in his infancy his 
parents removed to ConnersviUe, Ind. In 
18-40, his mother having died, his father 
returned to Baltimore. The subject of this 
sketch attended the public schools of that 
city, having his studies interrupted by going 
two voyages to sea with his father,- who was 
master of a merchant vessel. After return- 



ing from these voyages Mr. Drebert resumed 
his place in school, in a short time entering 
the high school, an institution of the charac- 
ter of many of our western colleges. Leav- 
ing school he went into the book and job 
printing oflice of Joseph Bobinson to learn 
the trade. From 1800 to 1868 he was en- 
gaged in editorial work on the ConnersviUe 
(Ind.) Times, except two short intermissions, 
during the first of which he taught school 
and read law in Judge J. M. Wilson's office, 
and during the second was engaged in pub- 
lishing the Liberty Herald, located in the ad- 
joining county of Union. In 1868 he pur- 
chased an interest in the Liberty Herald, 
which, in a few months, he sold to his part- 
ner, and in 1869 purchased the Eushville 
(Ind.) Liejmbllcan. He sold the office in 1876 
and came to Owatonna. During his resi- 
dence in ConnersviUe, Ind., Mr. Drebert was 
married to Mary A. Harrison, of that j^lace. 
They have been blessed with six children, all 
of whom are living as follows : Caroline, 
Oliver M., Mary E., Alexander F., Eleanor 
and Belle. Mr. Drebert, through his many 
years' experience, has become a thorough 
newspaper man, thoroughly mastering his 
profession. He is a versatile, pungent writer 
and is recognized as one of the ablest edito- 
rial writers in the State. 

J. A. Soper, of the firm of Drebert & 
Soper, is a native of the State of Kew York, 
born in 1858. While he was yet a child his 
parents moved west and located in Clinton 
Falls Township, Steele County. After a few 
years they removed to Owatonna, where 
they still live. J. A. Soper was married in 
November, 1883, to Lillie M. Cooper, a 
daughter of John Cooper, of Faribault. One 
child has blessed their union, Bonnie Eveline, 
born August 25, 1887. Mr. Soper, while 
still at home, learned telegraphing and for 
several j'ears followed that business, he and 
his brother for some time having charge of 
the Owatonna office. J. A. Soper began the 
printing business with a little " Novelty Job 
Press," which he "set up" in his father's 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



109 



store and turned out light work. His various 
newspaper ventux'es receive extended notice 
elsewhere. He is a thorough newspaper 
man, and has the reputation of being among 
the most tasty job printers in this part of the 
State. 

THE people's press. 

The first issue of this paper made its 
appearance on Wednesday, the 2d of Sep- 
tember, 1874, as an eight-column folio. It 
was estabhshed by B. E. Darby and N. E. 
Lemen, under the firm name of Darby & 
Lemen. The first issue of the paper pre- 
sented a neat appeai'ance, well filled with 
local as well as general news. The local 
advertisers in the first issue were the fol- 
lowing: Attorneys, Coggswell & Johnson, 
Johnson &_ Burlingame, L. P. McClarren ; 
phj'sician, S. Blood ; dentists, Cole & Medd ; 
tailor, Jolm Cottier ; groceries, P. O. Maly ; 
cigars, C. Bartsch & Co. ; barbers, Valentine 
& Lidington ; meat markets, J. A. Oppliger 
and Pepper & Montgomery ; hotels, Parcher 
& Br^'ant and William Engel ; real estate. 
Dr. E. W. Johnson ; furniture, H. H. Rose- 
brock ; wagon shop, Charles Schoen ; brew- 
ery, Lewis Bion ; hardware, A. Butsch ; 
liver}^, G. B. Twiss ; lumber, A. G. Murray ; 
hardware, S. B. Hunkins ; boots and shoes, 
A. Butsch ; drugs, Z. Handerson ; hardware, 
Requa & Furbers; books, Brown & Spell- 
man ; drugs, Harsha & Donaldson ; jewelry, 
Julius F. Young & Co. ; general merchandise, 
J. W. Morford ; mercliandise, G. F. Albertus 
musical instruments, J. B. Lambert ; liquors, 
H. Hall. 

The campaign jireceding the October 
election of 1874 was at its height. Mark H. 
Dunnell, of Owatonna, had been nominated 
by the Republicans for Congress and Judge 
Franklin H. Waite, of Mankato, had been 
made the Democratic nominee. The People^ s 
Press at once commenced political action, op- 
posing Mr. Dunnell and favoring Waite. In 
an advertisement on the fourth page of the 
first issue it is stated that the People's Press, 
" the anti-monopoly paper of Steele County, 



is independent of rings or cliques, and a true 
representative of the farmers and working- 
men. The Press is devoted to the interests 
of those who make an honest living, and 
opposed to all monopolies whereby a tax- 
ridden people are still further oppressed. 

" ' He who would grow both rich and wise, 
Should either read or advertise.' " 

The motto of the Press was : " Justice' 
Liberty and Union ; Independent of party 
and party cliques." 

As the editors in the first issue present an 
able " salutatory," we herewith give some of 
the most pointed paragraphs, as they outline 
the future policy of the paper : 

"Though the people of Steele County 
have already one paper, we believe there is 
ample room for anotlier. Our people may 
now be considered to be a reading people. 
The benefits arising from our excellent sys- 
tem of free education are patent to every 
observer and the demand for additional read- 
ing matter is continually increasing. Con- 
vinced of this fact, we offer no apology for 
issuing a weekly journal to supply a deside- 
ratum, the want of which has been long felt. 

" Upon presenting this, the initial number 
of the People's Press to the public, we have 
but few promises to make, leaving our fut- 
ure acts to speak for themselves, believing 
that they will be more potential than many 
promises and platforms of words upon words. 

" The Press is not to be an effort of to-day 
to aid in a political campaign or advance a 
tem]3orary interest, but our best efforts will 
be put forth to place it upon a sure founda- 
tion, a journal for to-day, to-morrow and the 
future, a means to earn us a livelihood, while 
doing its duty. 

" The Press will be emphatically inde- 
pendent in the broadest construction of the 
term, free and untrammeled in all things — 
free from any political, money or society 
power ; wearing no collar, but striking for 
the right wherever it ma\' be found, and 
probing the festering sores of corruption, 
whether in the petty places of authority or 



110 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



when concealed by the ermine or gilding 
and trappings of power and place. Against 
monopolies the Press will wage war, and is 
in full sympathy with the efforts of the pro- 
ducing classes against the mighty powers 
whose baneful shadows are cast over the 
struggling tiller of the soil, the mechanic 
and the laborer of whatever degree. The 
organized movement of labor against those 
who would oppress it will be earnestly 
advocated and encouraged. 

" Our design is to make the Press truly 
the people's pajier, devoted to general litera- 
ture, the news of the day, editorial opinions, 
correspondence, a vehicle for the expression 
of our readers' oijinions and criticisms, and 
particularly a faithful and entertaining chron- 
icler of local events. Home will be our first 
consideration always. And while faithfully 
guarding the interests of Owatonna, we will 
conscientiously endeavor to fiu-ther the inter- 
ests of the entire county, not being warped 
by sectional lines, neither preferring the shop 
and store before the farm. In short, we 
intend to build up a paper of an immense 
cii'culation and one of which every subscrib- 
er may be proud. No slang or immorality 
will enter either our reading or advertising- 
columns, and the paper will be one all can 
properly take into the family circle. In con- 
clusion, we only ask for the support that our 
efforts shall seem to deserve, hoping that our 
labors and your encouragement will result 
in our common good, and make the Press a 
worthy champion of the right. 

" Darby & Lemen." 

Although the name of Mr. Lemen appears 
as one of the proprietors of the Press, he was 
not an active partner, and on the 16th of 
September, 187i, his name was dropped from 
tlie head of the columns and that of B. E. 
Darby ap23eared as sole editor and proprie- 
tor. Mr. Lemen had been running a paper 
at Kasson, Dodge County, and when the 
Peopli^s Press was established he sold Mr. 
Darby the material with which the Press 
office was then furnished, and agreed to get 



out the first issue. In this, however, he 
failed, as Mr. Darby arrived before that time, 
and the first number of the Press made its 
appearance through his exertions. Mr. Le- 
men never moved to Owatonna. 

Mr. Darby continued the publication of 
the paper alone until January 6, 1874, when 
L. C. Martin became associated with him as 
partner, under the firm name of Darby & 
Martin. Mr. Martin came here from Prairie 
du Chien, Wis., and worked as a printer for 
Mr. Darby during his first year's residence 
here. In March, 1876, the day of publica- 
tion was changed from Wednesday to Satur- 
day. On the 9th of March, 1878, Mr. 
Darby bought out his partner's interest, and 
the firm of Darby & Martin was dissolved, 
Mr. Darby again assuming full ownership. 
Shortly after severing his connection with 
the Press, Mr. Martin returned to Wisconsin 
and engaged in the publication of a Green- 
back journal in the southwestern part of that 
State. In this, however, he (mly remained a 
short time. He is now in Florida. When 
he first came to Steele Count}^ he was a 
j^oung man, possibly twenty years of age, 
and single. Some time after selling out 
here he returned and was married to a 
daughter of O. S. Crandall. 

October 4, 1878, the day of publication 
was again changed, this time to Frida3^ On 
the 26th of October the Press was enlarged 
and the form changed to a six-column quarto. 
When the paper was started the office occu- 
pied rooms in the Bixby building, on Bridge 
street, where Thon Bros, are now. A 
}'ear later it was moved to H. R. Moore's 
brick block, which was then occupied by 
Seaiies' liardware store. In April, 1880, the 
Press office was removed to its present quar- 
ters in Lord's block, on the east side of Cedar 
street. 

On the 26th of June, ISSo, the People^s 
Press absorbed a paper which had been pub- 
lislied for some time previous at Blooming 
Prairie, under the name of the Tribune. 
Under the arrangement made, the Press 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Ill 



filled out the Tribune's subscription and 
advertising contracts, and started a Bloom- 
ing Prairie department. 

The People^ s Press has always steadfastly 
held to the Democratic faith in political mat- 
ters, yet it is a local paper in every sense. 
It has always taken a most active part in 
all matters tending to benefit either city or 
county. One feature connected with the 
way the paper is conducted is worthy of 
mention. The whole of every issue, except 
that part relating to general news, termed 
"patents," is devoted to local news, and, 
except during political campaigns, the space, 
instead of being devoted to editorials on for- 
eign subjects, is filled with town and county 
matters. This fact has given this paper an 
especially large circulation throughout the 
county. The Press has never missed an is- 
sue since the first number made its appear- 
ance. AU official matters have always been 
published, whether the Press was the official 
paper of the county or not ; yet it has been 
the official paper several years in its history. 
That matter, of course, has always been ar- 
ranged according to the political complexion 
of tlie board of county commissioners. The 
Press wields a powerful influence, and is 
recognized as one of the ablest and most 
active exponents of Democratic ideas in the 
State. 

The office of this paper is well equipped 
for book and general job printing. Im- 
proved cylinder presses, steam-power and 
other first-class machinery, and an excellent 
selection of the latest styles of plain and 
fancy job type enable them to turn out al- 
most any class of work in good, workman- 
like manner. They also do a good class of 
book-binding. 

Benjamin E. Darby, editor and proprietor 
of the People's Press, Owatonna, Minn., was 
born February 18, 1848, at St. Eleanors, 
Prince Edward Island. At the age of two 
years his parents removed with him to their 
farm in Abram's Village, Egmont Bay. Here 
he lived until he was sixteen years old, at- 



tending the district school and doing much 
hard work. He evinced good mathematical 
ability and had acquired an excellent knowl- 
edge of the French language, when he en- 
tered the grammar school at the county -seat, 
remaining there two years, studying alge- 
bra, Latin, Greek, geometry, land-surveying 
and navigation. He afterward attended and 
graduated from the normal school in Char- 
lottetown and the Prince of Wales College 
in the same city. He followed the profes- 
sion of teacher in that province until Aug- 
ust, 1871, when he came to Minnesota. In 

1871 and 1872 he was principal of the public 
school at Zumbrota, Goodhue County; in 

1872 and 1873, principal of the public school 
at Pine Island, in the same county, and in 

1873 and 1874 principal of the public school 
at Kasson, Dodge County. He was married 
in August, 187-4, to Annie K. Barnard. They 
have been blessed with four children, as fol- 
lows : George F., born May 22, 1875 ; Harry 
B., born October 15, 1876; Benjamin E. (de- 
ceased), born March 28, 1880 (died when 
fifteen months old), and Fannie A., born 
November 22, 1883. The People's Press 
has grown steadily in circulation and influ- 
ence under Mr. Darby's management, and 
has been a financial success. He is a thor- 
ough master of the business in all its details, 
being a good job printer as well as an inter- 
esting and forcible writer. Mr. Darby has 
been secretary of the Owatonna fire de- 
partment for a number of years, and was 
again re-elected in the spring of 1887 with- 
out opposition. He is a Master Mason. 

OUB PASTIME. 

A weekly paper bearing this title was 
established at Owatonna, in 1875, by the 
Soper Brothers — J. A. and W. B. Soper. 
It was a four-column folio, neatly printed 
and well edited, the subscription price being 
fi f ty cents per year. The paper was continued, 
being in the meantime enlarged to double 
the size ixnder which it was started, for about 
one year, when the name was changed to 



112 



HISTOKY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



THE WEEKLY KEVIEW, 

and under this name it flourished for some- 
thing like another j^ear. During the time 
A. H. Lewis became associated with the 
Soper Brothers, and the firm name became 
Soper Brothers & Lewis. This arrangement 
only continued for about six months, when 
the Review was sold to Luther Bixby. Lewis' 
connection with the paper assumed a variety 
of characters, in turn being that of a partner, 
a lessor, editor on salary, and finally ter- 
minated. After this, for a time, Mr. Bixby 
employed S. C. Harris as editor and event- 
ually the paper was moved to Minneapolis, 
and became the Tempercmce Review. 

THE MOKNING STAR. 

This was the name of a small daily started 
at Owatonna, in January, 1876, by Hanson 
& Howe, two energetic young men. It was 
only continued for a very short time. 

DAILY HERALD. 

This paper was started by the Soper Broth- 
ers in 1879, with S. C. Harris as editor. It 
was a small paper, a four-column folio, and 
was issued daily for about three or four 
HTonths, when it was changed to a weekly, 
and became 

THE STEELE COUNTY HEEALD. 

The jiaper was enlarged to a four-column 
quarto. The first issue of this paper bore 
the date of April 6, 1880. About a year 
later it was enlarged to a five-column quarto. 
Soper Brothers continued the publication of 
the Herald until tlie 12th of February, 1886, 
when it was consolidated with F. T. Dre- 
bert's pajier, the Journal, and the name of 
the paper became the Journal and Herald, 



with Drebert & Soper Brothers as pro]n'ietors. 
A history of this paper has already been 
given. At the time of the consolidation the 
Herald ofiice was equipped with an excellent 
outfit of presses, steam engine, type, machin- 
ery and fixtures. 

OTHER PUBLICATIONS. 

In 1868, W. H. Mitchell compiled and 
])ublished a work entitled " Geographical 
and Statistical History of Steele County." It 
was got out in pamphlet form, bound in 
paper, and contained about one hundred 
pages. It was a work of considerable merit, 
showing great research in its statistical and 
historical departments, and was the means of 
preserving much historical data that would 
otherwise have been inaccessible. 

In 1874, A. T. Andreas, of Chicago, 111., 
published a complete atlas of Minnesota, 
which contains not only a map of Steele, but 
also a concise and well-written historical 
sketch of the county. The work, in the ex- 
tent of its details, and the mass of historical, 
statistical and geographical information it 
contains, is one which will become more and 
more valuable as years go by ; and, while 
some of its patrons were dissatisfied at the 
time it was published, yet in later years its 
true worth is coming to be fully realized. 
The price charged for the atlas was $15 
per copy. 

In 1879. Warner & Foote, of Minneapolis, 
published a wall map of Steele County, 
which was very complete, showing the size 
and ownership of farms, location of roads, 
dwellings, schools, churches, etc. The work 
was sold for $12 per copy, and its com- 
pilation involved a great deal of time, care 
and expense. 




-^^>^'^^^^^;:^0$^4:^^^^^i<^^ 



CHAPTER XIII. 




EAILROADS. 



HE Vllth Territorial Legislature 
granted 



a charter which was 
approved on the 1st of March, 
1856, for a railroad from the 
Iowa State line, near where the 
Ked Cedar crosses it, and tlience 
up the Cedar Valley, along the 
Straight Eiver Valley, and 
through the " big woods," to 
Minneapolis, a distance of one 
hundred miles. The summer 
previous, 1855, had witnessed a heavy in- 
crease in the population of Steele County- 
Eailroad agitation had already begun in 
earnest; all who were interested here took 
an active part in working the matter up. It 
was evident that a railroad from St. Paul 
south, on the west side of the Mississippi 
River, must go far back into the interior in 
order to avoid the deep ravines and high 
ridges formed by the Zumbro and Root 
rivers ; that in the interior were the Can. 
non and Straight rivers flowing north, the 
latter interlocking with the Cedar River 
flowing south, and that, manifestly in the 
valley of these streams there was not only a 
leading railroad route, but fine timber, ex- 
cellent water-power and a good agricultural 
district. Owatonna also lay in a direct line 
from Winona to the south bend of the Min- 
nesota River, which route had already — 
even at that early day — been looked out, 
and a charter granted to the Transit Com- 
pany. 

• Railroads, it was absolutely necessary to 
have, and strenuous efforts were made to 
put the scheme in operation. Parties went 
to St. Paul to attend the session of the 



Vllth Territorial Legislature, and the char- 
ter above mentioned was granted, and 
the Minneapolis & Cedar Valley Rail- 
road was incorporated. Section 1 of the 
bill provided that "Franklin Steele, Isaac 
Atwater, D. M. Hanson, James F. Brad- 
ley, Ezra Abbott, R. P. Russell, A. M. 
Fridley, H. H. Sibley, John W. North, 
James Shields, Alex. Faribault, John C. Ide, 
Charles Jewett, F. W. Fisk, Benjamin L. 
Arnold, "William F. Pettit, John H. Abbott, 
A. B. Cornell, A. Town, A. B. Vaugn, H. 
O. Billings, Orlando Wilder, and such other 
j)ersons as may become associated with 
them," were created " a body corporate, by 
the name of the Minneapolis & Cedar Valley 
Railroad Company." Section 4 appointed 
Henry H. Sibley, at Mendota, Franklin 
Steele, at Minneapolis, James Shields, at 
Faribault, WiUiam F. Pettit, at Owatonna, 
and A. B. Vaugn, at Austin, commissioners 
to open books and receive subscriptions to 
the capital stock of the company. The 
charter also provided that when $50,000 of 
stock should be subscribed tlie commission- 
ers should meet at Faribault for the purpose 
of apportioning the stock among the sub- 
scribers, and also call a meeting of the stock- 
holders to choose directors. This, according 
to the act, was to be done preA'ious to tlie 
1st of March, 1857. The commissioners suc- 
ceeded in securing stock subscriptions to 
the amount of $200,000. Owatonna, Fari- 
bault and Northliekl were most active in 
raising this amount of stock, which was gen- 
erally referred to as the " Owatonna straw 
stock," the general citizen having little or no 
faith in the success of the enterprise. The 



U3 



lu 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



first meeting of the stockholders was held 
at Mendota in February, 1857, at which 
time the following named directors were 
elected : Ezra Abbott, of St. Anthony ; 
Franklin Steele, of Fort Snelling; II. H. 
Sibley, of Mendota ; J. W. North, of North- 
field ; James Shields, of Faribault ; William 
F. Pettit, of Owatonna, and A. B. Vaugn, 
of Austin ; Ezi'a Abbott, treasurer ; Frank- 
lin Steele, seci-etary, and J. H. Abbott, 
chief engineer. In June Mr. Abbott and L. 
Kellett commenced surveying the route, and 
by the close of September the location was 
made and the estimates for construction 
completed. In May, at the extra session of 
the legislature, that body made to this road 
a munificent grant of lands, according to 
the act of Congress of that year, which was 
much more liberal than that heretofore 
granted to any State or territory. But the 
great financial panic of 1857 followed, and 
men of reputed wealth, who had thought 
themselves wealthy, were reduced from af- 
fluence to poverty, and in this western coun- 
try the pressure was very severe. In 1858 
all the companies in the State did a large 
amount of grading and other work on the 
lines of roads, stimulated thereto by the ac- 
tion of the legislature in passing the " five 
million loan bill " and its ratification by the 
people. Of the 110 miles of the Cedar Val- 
ley Railroad to the State line, seventy-two 
were graded and a large number on the other 
portions of the road. 

When the $5,000,000 loan bill was passed 
it was provided that the road-beds of the 
railroads so aided should be morteae'ed. 
When the financial crash came these mort- 
gages were foi-eclosed, and later the grant 
to the Cedar Valley Company was given 
to the Minnesota Central Company, and 
that of the Transit Company was given 
to the Winona & St. Peter Railroad Com- 
pany. In relation to the bonds, an act 
was passed making them a basis upon 
which the banks could issue currency, and 
this was carried out at nearly all points in 



this part of the State. At Owatonna a bank 
issued circulating notes based u]ion these 
bonds, and as they continued to depreciate 
in value, until they were utterly worthless, 
of course the bank failed. Hundreds of mer- 
chants and business men were ruined, and in 
every way it proved not only a disgraceful 
but a ver}^ disastrous transaction. 

In the fall of 1860 the election contest was 
an exciting one, the main question at issue 
being the location of the Transit Railroad, 
now the Winona & St. Peter Division of 
the Northwestern Railway. The legislature 
was to fix the location. Hon. William F. 
Pettit was the candidate for representative 
who favored Owatonna, and Hon. G. W. 
Green favored a point farther north. Mr. 
Pettit was elected by a handsome majorit}^ 
and at the following session of the legisla- 
ture the land grants were disposed of to 
solid companies, upon condition that a cer- 
tain number of miles should be completed 
and cars running thereon each year, under 
penalty of forfeiture of the whole grant to 
the State. But the Rebellion breaking out 
that spi'ing, work was delayed on all the 
roads. In 1862 an act of Congress was 
secured to facilitate the construction of the 
Minnesota & Cedar Valley Railroad. Work 
was I'esumed in 1863 and 1864 ; and in 
1865 the Cedar Valley road was put in oper- 
ation as far as Faribault ; and the Winona 
& St. Peter as far as Kasson, about sixtj'- 
five miles west of Winona. In August, 1866, 
both roads were completed to Owatonna 
and the struggle and anxiety of the jieo- 
ple received their legitimate reward in the 
improved business and increased value of 
property. The Minneapolis & Cedar Val- 
ley Railwaj^ afterward became the Minnesota 
Railway, and was finally absorbed in the 
great Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- 
way system. In the same way the Transit 
Company's road had become a part of the 
Chicago & Northwestern. Both now belong to 
great railway systems — the leading thorough- 
fares of freight and travel of the West. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



115 



These — the Chicago & Northwestern, and 
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul rail- 
ways — comprise all the lines of railway that 
have as yet been built through Steele 
County. However, at the present writing 
there is prospects that the Duluth, Eed "Wing 
& Southern Railroad will be constructed 
through the county at an early day. The 
company demanded a bonus of $40,000 in 
bonds from the county and the matter was 
finally submitted to the voters at a spe- 
cial election held on the 30tli of June, 

1887, at which the proposition was carried 
in favor of bonding by a majority of 412. 
The proposition for the issuance of the bonds 
states the plan and route of the proposed 
road so clearly that we give it in full, viz. : 

" In consideration of the issuance and do- 
nation thereto of the said bonds, the said 
railroad company will construct, complete 
and put into operation its line of railroad as 
follows : 

" From Albert Lea, in the county of Free- 
born, State of Minnesota, through the said 
county of Steele and Owatonna, the county- 
seat of said county, to the city of Red Wing, 
Minn., within two years from January 1, 

1888, and from said city of Red Wing to 
Duluth, Superior or Ashland, on Lake Su- 
perior, within three years from January 1, 
1888, and further agree that said road shall 
not be owned or operated by any through 
line running to Chicago or Milwaukee and 
will, in consideration of said bonds, at the 
election of said county commissioners of said 
Steele County, issue to it such number of the 
shares of its capital stock as will at par 
value of such stock correspond with the 
principal sum of said bonds. 

"In case the said railroad company, its 
successors or assigns, shall fail to complete 
the said portions of the said railroad in the 
time herein provided, it shall forfeit and lose 
all right to have and obtain all that portion 
of the said bonds to be donated on account 
of the portion or portions of the said rail- 
roads so failed to be completed. 



" The said bonds shall be delivered to the 
said railroad company, its successors or 
assigns, as follows : 

"When said railroad shall be completed 
and the cars running through from either 
Red Wing or Albert Lea to tlae city of Owa- 
tonna in said Steele County, one-third (^) of 
said bonds ; when the road is completed 
from Red Wing to Albert Lea through the 
said city of Owatonna, one-third (-^) of said 
bonds, and when the connection with Lake 
Superior is completed the remaining one- 
third (^) of said bonds shall be delivered. 

" In order to insure the faithful jjerform- 
ance by both the said county of Steele and 
the said railroad company, of the foregoing 
conditions in respect to the issuance of the 
said bonds, the said bonds shall within thirty 
(30) days after the canvass of the vote au- 
thorizing the issuance of the same be duly 
executed by the said county commissioners 
and be placed in escrow in the hands of the 
cashier of the First National Bank of St. 
Paul, Minn., to be delivered to the said rail- 
road company, its successors or assigns, as 
herein provided and not otherwise ; and the 
certificate of stock to be exchanged thereof, 
shall be placed with the same depositary at 
the same time. 

" But, in case the said railroad company 
shall fail to acquire the right to have de- 
livered to it any portion or the whole of the 
said bonds, by failure to build and put into 
operation the said portions of the said rail- 
road in the time aforesaid, in such case all 
such portions of the said bonds as the said 
company shall have so failed to perfect its 
right to have delivered to it, shall, upon the 
demand of the said county commissioners or 
their successors be surrendered to the said 
county commissioners or their successors for 
cancellation. 

"Dated June 3d, A. D. 1887. 

" DcLUTH, Red Wing & Southern Rail- 
road Company. By F. W. IIoyt, 

"Attest, Edgar R. Mills, President. 
" Secretary." 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE WAE— ITS CAUSES. 




STEELE COTTNTY IN THE WAR. 



ROM the commencement of gov- 
ernment there have been two an- 
tagonistic principles contending 
for mastery: slavery and freedom; 
sometimes smoldering and even 
invisible ; but the seeds were there, 
and ever and anon would burst 
into flames, carrying destruction, 
death and desolation with them. A 
rei^etition of the great conflict 
which for ages has agitated our 
globe — the conflict between aristocratic 
usurpation and popular rights. History is 
crowded with descriptions and scenes of this 
irrepressible conflict. Two thousand years 
ago, when the aristocracy of Eome was 
headed by Cneius Pompej^, Julius Caesar, 
esi)ousing the cause of the people, unfurled 
the banner of equal rights, and striding 
through oceans of blood which tossed their 
surges over every portion of the habitable 
globe, overthrew the aristocratic common- 
wealth and reared over the ruins the imperial 
commonwealth. Again, on the field of Phar- 
salia, the aristocratic banner was trailed in 
the dust, and democracy, although exceed- 
ingly imperfect, became victor. It was ar- 
istocracy trying to keep its heel on the 
head of democracy which had deluged the 
Roman empire in blood. But the nobles 
regained foothold, and, regardless of these 
lessons, renewed their oppression. Again 
they commenced sowing the seed which must 
surely bring forth terrible fruit. Over two 
hundred years ago the aristocracy of France, 



housed in magnificent palaces, mounted on 
war horses, with pampered men-at-arms 
ready to ride rough-shod on every embass- 
age of violence, trampled upon the sufl'ering 
serfs until humanity could no longer endure 
it. The masses of the people were deprived 
of every privilege, save that of toiling for 
their masters. The aristocracy so deprived 
the people, whose wives and daughters, 
through their brutality, were forced to go to 
the field bareheaded and barefooted, and 
be yoked to the plow with the donkey, that 
they never dreamed that the wretched boors 
would dare even to look in defiance towards 
the massive and stately castles, whose noble- 
men proudly strode along the battlements 
in measureless contempt for the helpless 
peasantry below. But the pent-up vials of 
vengeance of ages at last burst forth. These 
boors, these jacks, rose, and like maddened 
hyenas rusiied upon their foes. Inibruted 
men, who for ages had been subjected to the 
most outrageous wrongs, rose by millions 
against their oppressors, and wreaked upon 
them every atrocit}'^ which fiend-like ingenu- 
ity could devise. All the brutal and demon 
passions of human nature held high carnival, 
and it can truly be said France ran red with 
blood. But at length disciplined valor pre- 
vailed. After one-half of the peasantry of 
France had perished, the knighted noblemen, 
the aristocrats, resumed their sway, and their 
hellish bondage, worse than slavery, was 
again placed upon the people. Tliis war of 
the jacks, or, as it is called in history. 



U6 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



117 



Jacquekie, is one of the most interesting and 
warning events of the past, and yet it was 
all unheeded. The oppression went on, grow- 
ing more and more outrageous ; the people 
were kept ignorant that they might not 
know of the wrongs ; poor, that they might 
not resent them. That the lords might live 
in castles and be clothed in jjurple, and fare 
sumptuously, the people were doomed to 
hovels, rags and black bread. The peasant 
must not place the bit of dough in the ashes 
by his fireside; he was compelled to have it 
baked at the bakery of his lord, and there 
pay heavy toll. He dare not scrape together 
the few crumbs of salt from the rocks of the 
ocean shore ; he must buy every particle from 
his lord at an exorbitant price. " Servants, 
obey your masters ! " was interpreted to 
apply to all save of noble birth, and religion 
was converted into a method for subjecting 
the masses. Bibles were not allowed to be 
read by these " boors," lest they learn what 
the Saviour really taught, and a peasant 
detected with one in his hand was deemed 
as guilty as if caught with the tools of 
a burglar or the dies of a counterfeiter. 
As associates for lords — the idea would 
have been considered contrary to nature or 
reason. Thus Louis XV., surrounded by 
courtesans, debauchees and the whoredom of 
his castle, once said : "I can give money to 
Voltaire, Montesqueu, Fontenelle, but I can- 
not dme and smjj with these people." If the 
peasant, with his wife and child toiling in the 
field, in the cultivation of a few acres of 
land, managed to raise $640 worth of crops 
during the year, $600 of it went to the king, 
the lord and the church, while the remain- 
ing $40 was left to clothe and feed the 
emaciated family. Thos. Jefferson, in the year 
1785, wrote from Paris to a friend in Phila- 
delphia : " Of twenty millions of people 
supposed to be in France, I am of the opin- 
ion that there are nineteen millions more 
wretched, more accursed in every circum- 
stance of human existence, than the most 
conspicuously wretched individual in the 



whole United States." It was this state of 
affairs which brought on the war of the 
French Revolution, inaugurating the most 
terrific of all time's battles. Such combats 
earth never saw before, probably will never 
see again. Two worlds, as it were, came 
clashing together. Twenty millions of peo- 
ple trampled in the mire, rose ghastly and 
frenzied, and the flames of feudal castles and 
the shrieks of haughty oppressors appalled 
the world. All the combined aristocracy of 
Europe were on the other side to crush the 
demand of the people for the equality of 
man. Russia, Prussia, Sweden, Austria, 
England, Spain- — all the kings rallied their 
armies to the assistance of France in subdu- 
ing the oppressed masses who, believing they 
were right, marched heroically to the victo- 
ries of Marengo, "Wagram and Austerlitz. 
But in the final victories of the despots, aris- 
tocratic privilege again triumphed in Europe. 
In the meantime a similar though less bloody 
and terrific battle had taken place in Eng- 
land ; the same ever rising conflict between 
the united courtiers and cavaliers under 
Charles I. and the Puritans under Cromwell. 
With prayer, fasting and hj^mn, the com- 
mon people, who had for ages been under the 
yoke of servitude, took to arms in defense of 
their riglits, and many cavaliers bit the dust 
through their sturdy blows. But Charles II. 
returned to the throne, and again aristocracy 
triumphed. The oppressed were our Puri- 
tan fathers ; again they were trodden under 
foot. Then it was that the heroic resolution 
was adopted to cross the ocean three thou- 
sand miles, and there in exile establish and 
found a republic where all men in the eye of 
the law should be equal. The result is too 
well known to need rehearsal ; how they 
fought their way through all the dangers of 
the savage new world and succeeded in the 
object; how the aristocracy of England 
made the desperate effort to again bring the 
yoke to bear; to tax us without allowing us 
to be represented in parliament; to place the 
appointment to all important offices in the 



118 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



hands of the king, who would send over the 
sons of EnglaiuFs noblemen to be our gov- 
ernors and our judges, and who would fill all 
the posts of wealth, dignity and power with 
the children of the lords. Hence, the War of 
the Eevolution. We, the people, conquered, 
and established our government independent 
of all the world, placing as corner-stone of 
the edifice, that " all men are born free and 
equal, and are alike entitled to life, liberty 
and the pursuit of happiness." 

Then coming down, the great conflict 
of America, the Rebellion, it was a con- 
tinuance of that irrepressible conflict Avhich 
has shaken the world to its uttermost depths 
for ages. It was based upon slaver^', that 
which has caused the shedding of oceans of 
blood, and making millions of widows and 
orphans. The constitution under which we 
are bound together is, in its spirit and legit- 
imate utterance, doubtless one of the most 
noble documents ever produced by the mind 
of man, and even now, when the advance- 
ment of a century has dawned upon its use, 
not a paragraph requires changing to make 
it true to humanity. But yet ingloriously 
and guiltily we consent to use one phrase 
susceptible of a double meaning — " held to 
labor." So small and apparently so insig- 
nificant were the seeds sown, from ^Vhich 
such a harvest of misery has been reaped. 
In the North these honest words meant a 
hired man or an apprentice. In the South 
they were taken to mean slavery, the degra- 
dation and feudal bondage of a race. A 
privileged class assumed that the constitu- 
tion recognized it, and the right of property 
in human beings. This class endeavored to 
strengthen and extend their aristocratic in- 
stitution, which was dooming ever-increas- 
ing millions to life-long servitude and degra- 
dation. All wealth was rapidly accumulat- 
ing in the hands of these few, who owned 
their fellow-man as property. The poor 
whites, unable to buy slaves, and considering 
labor which was performed by them degrad- 
ing, were rapidly sinking into a state of 



frightful miserJ^ The sparse population 
which slaver}' allowed, excluded churches, 
schools and villages. Immense ^plantations 
of thousands of acres, tilled by as many 
slaves driven to work by overseers, con- 
signed the whole land to apparent solitude. 
The region of the southern country general- 
ly presented an asjoect of desolation which 
Christendom nowhere else could parallel. 
The slaveholders, acting as one man, claimed 
the right of extending this over all the free 
territory of the United States. Free labor 
and slave labor cannot exist together. The 
admission of slavery effectually excluded 
free men from them. It was impossible for 
those men cherishing the sentiment of repub- 
lican equality, to settle there with the priv- 
ileged class who were to own vast realms 
and live in luxury upon the unpaid labor of 
the masses. It was on this jioint that the 
conflict in its fierceness commenced. From 
the year 1790 the strife grew hotter and 
hotter every year. The questions arising 
kept Congress, both the Senate and House, 
in one incessant scene of warfare. There 
could be no peace in the land until this 
aristocratic element was efiFectually banished. 
The Hon. Mr. Iverson, of Georgia, speak- 
ing of antagonism of the two systems, aris- 
tocracy and freedom, said, in the Senate of 
the United States, on December 5, 1S60 : 
" Sir, disguise the fact as you will, there 
is enmity between the northern and south- 
ern people which is deep and enduring, and 
you can never eradicate it, never. Look at 
the spectacle exhibited on this floor. How 
is it 'I There are the northern senators on that 
side ; here are the southern senators on this 
side. You sit upon your side silent and 
gloomy. We sit upon our side with knit 
brows and proten tons scowls. Here are two 
hostile bodies on this floor, and it is but a 
type of the feeling which exists between the 
two sections. We are enemies as much as if 
we were hostile States. We have not lived 
in peace. We are not now living in peace. 
It is not expected that we shall ever live in 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



119 



peace." Hon. Mr. Mason, of Virginia, in 
continuation of the same debate, said : " Tliis 
is a war of sentiment and opinion, b}^ one 
form of society against another form of 
society." The remarks of Hon. Garrett 
Davis, a senator from Kentucky, are to the 
point : " The cotton Stj^tes, by their slave 
labor, have become wealthy, and many of 
their planters have princely revenues, from 
$50,000 to §100,000 per year. This wealth 
has begot a pride, and insolence, and ambi- 
tion, and these points of southern character 
have been displayed most insultingly in the 
halls of Congress. As a class, the wealthy 
cotton-growers are insolent, they are proud, 
they are domineering, they are ambitious. 
They have monopolized the government in 
its honors for forty or fifty years with few 
interruptions. When they saw the scepter 
about to depai't from them, in the election 
of Lincoln, sooner than give up office and the 
spoils of office, in their mad and wicked 
ambition thej^ determined to disrupt the old 
confederation and erect a new one, wherein 
they would have undisputed power." 

Thus the feeling 
stronger. One incessant cry became, " Ab- 
jure 3'our democratic constitution, which 
favors equal rights to all men, and give us 
in its place an aristocratic constitution, which 
will secure the rights of a privileged class." 
They insisted that the domestic slave trade 
should be nurtured, and the foreign slave 
trade opened, saying, in the coarse and vul- 
gar language of one of the most earnest 
advocates of slavery : " The North can im- 
port jackasses from Malta, let the South, 
then, import niggers from Africa." 

The reply of the overwhelming majority 
of the people of the United States was de- 
cisive. Lincoln was elected and inaugurated 
despite the conspiracy to prevent it. Volumes 
could be and have been written upon these 
actions, but they are well known. "We will 
merely mention the most prominent features 
transpiring, until the havoc of war actually 
set in. 



continued growmg 



On the 7th of November, 1860, it was 
known that Abraham Lincoln was elected 
President of the United States, and was to 
enter upon his duties on the fourth day of 
the following March. In the meantime the 
executive government was virtually in the 
hands of the slave power. James Buchanan, 
the President, had been elected to the office 
openly pledged to pursue the general policy 
the slave-holders enjoyed. The cabinet were 
all slave-holders and slave-masters. The 
United States Navy was scattered all over 
the face of the earth, leaving only two vessels 
for the defense of the countrj^ ; the treasury 
was left barren ; the army was so scattered 
in remote fortresses in the far "West as to 
leave all the forts, where they would be 
needed, defenseless ; the United States arse- 
nals were emptied, the Secretary of War 
sending their guns to the slave States, where 
bands of rebels were organized and drilling, 
prepared to receive them. One hundred and 
fifteen thousand arms, of the most approved 
pattern, were transferred from Springfield, 
Mass., and from Watervliet, N. Y., together 
with a vast amount of cannon, mortar, balls, 
powder and shells were also forwarded to 
rebels in the slave States. 

On the 18th of February, 1801, the inau- 
guration of Jefferson Davis, as President of 
the Southern Confederacy, took place at 
Montgomery, Ala. Four days later the col- 
lector of customs, appointed by the Con- 
federate government in Charleston, S. 
C, issued a manifesto that all vessels, 
from any State out of the Confederacy, 
would be treated as foreign vessels, and sub- 
ject to the port dues and other charges 
established by the laws of the Confederate 
States. Thus, by a stroke of the pen, the 
immense commerce of the Northern States 
was declared to be foreign commerce, 
beneath the guns of the forts which the 
United States had reared, at an expense of 
millions of dollars. Already a number of 
States had passed the ordinance of secession. 
On the 4th of March, 18G1, Abraham 



120 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTT. 



Lincoln was inaugurated President, and 
assumed official duties. At half-past four 
o'clock on the morning of the 12t]i of April, 
1861, the rebels opened fire upon Fort 
Sumter, and, after enduring terrific bom- 
bardment from all sides, the heroic defend- 
ers abandoned it and were conveyed to New 
York-. Fort Sumter was the Bunker HiU 
of the Civil War. In both cases a proud 
aristocracy were determined to subject this 
country to its sway. In both cases the 
defeat was a glorious victory. On the next 
Monday, April 15, President Lincoln issued 
a call for three months' service of 75,000 
volunteers. The effect was electrical. 
Within fifteen days it is estimated that 
350,000 men offered themselves in defense 
of our national flag. Thus the Civil War had 
burst upon the United States with almost 
the suddenness of the meteor's glare. It was, 
however, but like the eruption of the volcano 
whose pent-up fires had for ages been gather- 
ing strength for final explosion. The con- 
spirators had for years been busy preparing 
for the conflict. In the rebel convention, 
which met in South Carolina to consumate 
the conspiracy, Mr. Inglis said : " Most of 
us have had this subject under consideration 
for the last twenty years." Mr. Keitt said : 
"I have been engaged in this movement 
ever since I entered political life." Mr. 
Rhett said : " It is nothing produced by Mr. 
Lincoln's election, or the non-execution of 
the fugitive slave law. It is a matter 
which has been gathering for thirty j^ears." 
But more need not be said ; the result is 
too well Ivnown. Call followed call in quick 
succession ; the number reached the total of 
3,339,748. 
The calls were as follows : 

April 15, 1861, for three months 75,000 

May 4, 18G1, for five j'ears 64,748 

July, 1861, for three years 500,000 

July 18, 1863, for three years 300,000 

August 4, 1863, for nine months 300,000 

Juue, 1803, for three years 300,000 

October 17, 1863, for three years 300,000 

February 18, 1864, for three years 500,000 



July 10, 1864, for three years 300,000 

July 16, 1864, for one, two and three years 500,000 

December 31, 1864, for three years 300,000 

Total, 3,339,748 

STEELE COUNTY IN THE WAH. 

Looking at Steele County to-day, we can 
scarcely realize that when the war broke 
upon the country, arraying more than a 
milhon of men in arms, and which made our 
ship of State reel and stagger as if smitten 
by tlmnderbolts and dashed upon rocks, that 
Steele county was but " six years old " ; and 
Minnesota as a State of the American Union 
was yet but three years old. But, notwith- 
standing its own resources had not been 
subjugated to man's use, veiy material aid 
was promptly offered in subduing the rebell- 
ious States. The feeling through Minnesota 
was universal that the Union must be pre- 
served, and the sights and sounds that were 
so noticeable in every village and hamlet, 
north of Mason and Dixon's line, were du- 
plicated liere. The celerity with which men 
abandoned the pursuits of peace to take up 
those of war was most marvelous. Tlie 
population of Steele County in 1860 was 
2,863, and this had grown but little when the 
enlistments began. Alex. Ramsey, of St. 
Paul, happened to be in Washington at the 
time Fort Sumter was fired upon, and was 
with the President when the first call for 
75,000 three months' volunteers was issued. 
He at once telegraplied the State adjutant- 
general to call for troops. In this way the 
news of the firing on Sumter and the call 
for men became known at the new set- 
tlement in Steele County at about the same 
time. Lewis McKune, a talented man 
from Waseca County, was the first to 
raise troops here. He came, and after talk- 
ing the matter over a little, a meeting was 
held in Morford's Hall, at which he and 
others made speeches, and enlistments began. 
Several enlisted for three months the same 
night, among whom were Dwight Morford, 
Anton Schimek, Andrew CoUyer, M. R. Pat- 
ten, Alvin Phelps, Edward Philli])s, Oscar 







(:^^xvx4 c^C(^^^ 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



123 



Gross, Henry Borchert, George Crooker and 
possibly a few others. A company was 
raised in Steele and Kice counties, of which 
Lewis McKune was elected captain. The 
boys marched to Faribault with David Lin- 
dersmith playing the fife and Elder Thomson 
the drum, and were finally mustered in as 
a part of the First Minnesota Eegiment, of 
which Willis A. Gorman was colonel. Many 
of the early volunteers were killed at the 
first battle of Bull Run. 

After this, meetings were held very often 
and enlistments continued throughout the 
war. There were but few Copperheads in 
Steele County, and when one did occasionally 
make himself known he was promptly sub- 
dued, or given twenty-four hours to leave. 

OFFICIALLY. 

Officially Steele County nobly did its part, 
and in addition to the bounties voted by tlie 
county board, nearly every township in the 
county promptly voted aid. August 4, 1862, 
the President's call was issued for three hun- 
dred thousand men. The first action of the 
board was in reference to this call. The 
meeting of the board was held August 12, 
1862, Alex Chambers and B. F. Melvin being 
present. It was ordered by the board that 
the sum of $50 be appropriated for each vol- 
unteer who enlisted, the amount to be paid 
in installments, as follows : Married men to 
receive 10 per cent of whole amount in 
three months ; 10 per cent to be paid at end 
of each month in service until said amount 
was fully paid. Single men to receive 50 
per cent of whole amount at the end of six 
months ; balance at the end of first year in 
service. 

However, on the 2d of September, 1862, 
the board met again and changed the terms 
of payment from the plan involved in their 
2)revious resolution. The members attend- 
ing at this meeting were Alex. Chambers, 
B. F. Melvin and H. Fredenburgh. The 
terms of payment of bounties fixed at this 
meeting were as follows : Ten per cent to 



be paid at end of each month. The county 
treasurer was directed to call upon the sub- 
scribers to the bounty fund, in order to meet 
the installments when due. 

At the next meeting of the board, Janu- 
ary 9, 1863, all members were present : Alex. 
Chambers, B. F. Melvin and H. Fredenburgh. 
The county treasurer stated to the board 
that there was no money in the treasury to 
pay the monthly installments to the volun- 
teers of Steele County, who were entitled to 
bounty-money due them. The county au- 
ditor was therefore directed that upon pres- 
entation of the treasurer's order by any 
volunteer, stating the amount due him upon 
his monthly installment, to issue county 
scrip, bearing 10 per cent interest, to said 
volunteer for the amount of the order. 

On the eighth day of April, 1863, a spe- 
cial meeting of the board was held for the 
purpose of dividing the county into districts 
for the election of officers for military pur- 
poses, each district to elect one captain, one 
first and one second lieutenant. The dis- 
tricts were arranged as follows : 

First District — Aurora and Dover; the 
election to be held at the residence of A. B. 
Clark. 

Second District — Somerset and Summit; 
election to be held at schoolhouse, near 
" Bill's house." 

Third District — Berlin and Lemond ; elec- 
tion to be held at residence of J. "W. Crosby. 

Fourth District — Owatonna ; election to 
be held at " schoolhouse." 

Fifth District — Merton ; election to be 
held at " town-meeting place." 

Sixth District — Clinton Falls and Med- 
ford ; election to be held at residence of 
David Sanborn. 

Seventh District — Meriden and Deerfield ; 
place of election to be at "schoolhouse, near 
John O. Waumett's.'' 

On the 19th of December, 1863, a resolu- 
tion was passed, stating that a majority of 
the taxpayers wished that the bounty to 
volunteers be raised to $100. B. F. Melvin 



124 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



was therefore appointed to see at what terms 
and from whom the county could secure a 
loan suflBcient to pay the claims of the vol- 
unteers. In Januarj^, 1864, Mr. Melvin re- 
ported that Dr. McCutchen, of Faribault, had 
agreed to take $3,000 of the bonds at par ; 
but stated that " he was informed by the 
doctor's attorney that the commissioners 
had no legal right to issue such bonds." 

On the 13th of January, 1874, Alex. 
Chambers was chosen to negotiate the 
" bounty orders " so called, antl if it was 
found that they were illegal the legislature 
was to be asked to authorize the issue of 
$6,000 bonds for payment of bounties, and 
each volunteer who should enlist and be 
accepted, and accredited to Steele County, 
should receive $100 as soon as money could 
be secured. In accordance with this on the 
12th of February, 1864, an act was passed 
by the legislature, authorizing the issuance 
of $6,000 in bonds, drawing 12 per cent 
interest, one-half to be paid at expiration of 
two years, balance in three years. Alex. 
Chambers was appointed to negotiate the 
loan and it was provided that the volun- 
teers should be paid their bounties in the order 
in which they enlisted until the money 
should all be paid out. It was to be paid 
to new recruits or new volunteers, not to 
veterans that should re-enlist. 

THE LIST OF SOLDIEES. 

The following is a complete list of the 
soldiers who enlisted from Steele County, 
as shown by the records in the adjutant- 
general's office : 

AURORA. 

Annis, Levi Fling, George A. 

Berg, Jacob Snj'der, William J. 

Bixby, J. S. McDaniels, E. C. 

Curtis, George H. Thimson, Nils P. 

Lopping, Henry Roberts, John L. 

Green, William Johnson, William J. 

Myers, Felix Howe, Samuel 

Morin, Patrick Dickenson, Chris. 

Morin, Dennis Olmsted, Samuel B. 



Pettie, David Roberts, James L. 

Pettie, C. B. Weed, Clark 

Pettie, G. C. Siverson, Ilalleck 

Cook, Albert T. Richards, Alonzo 

Danchy, Arthur H. 

BERLIN. 

Chase, Levi Pitcher, Eli F. 

Chase, Dudley Reese, Isaac 

Chase, Timothy Grow, Francis 

Hanson, William Roberts, Eugene W. 

Willson, William 



DOVER — 

Chambers, Frank 
Curtis, Manly M. 
DuboiSj James L. 
Emeiy, George W. 
Jones, Anthony 
Jones, Anthony W 
Jones, Isaac W. 
Patterson, Martin 
Strothara, J. E. 
Tiffany, Oscar 
Warfield, John M. 
Willis, John 



(now Havana). 

Webster, Joseph R. 
Bunns, W. H. 
Elliott, Gilbert W. 
McCaslin, John 
Bailey, Richard S. 
Bloomer, Henry 
Minthorne, Henry F. 
Hart, Allen 
Anderson, John 
Hudson, Charles 
Jones, Charles 
Giles, S. F. 



CLINTON FALLS. 



Baker, Ozias B. 
Barnhard, William 
Barnhard, James 
Bortley, John H. 
Cressey, R. W. 
Curtis, Thomas 
Green, George W. 
Hunt, Andrew M. 
Hays, Sanford E. 



Morrison, William E. 
McNitt, Truman E. 
Parsons, Henry 
Sanboi'n, B. C. 
Williamson, D. W. 
Ritchie, Joseph 
Mclntire, Sanford H. 
Morrison, Samuel 
Warner, Martin 



DEERFIELD. 

Condon, Patrick Winchell, Demster L. 

Gypson, Benjamin Williams, Charles H. 

Hodgson, William Carter, Henry G. 

Lilly, Samuel Arnold, William W. 

Morse, Henry N. Houston, Cyrus M. 

Rosenthal, William Parker, Newton 

Star, William Fleury, Joseph 

LEMOND. 

Beach, Samuel B. Tatro, Joseph 

Bragg, Aaron S. Tatro, John 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



125 



Huston, Thomas 
Johnson, Nelson 
Kinney, JSTewcombe 
Kinney, Stillm.in 
Tasker, Daniel 



Gould, Samuel 
Bragg, Henry W. 
Davis, Edward 
Gibbons, James 
Sorenson, Ingbert. 



MEDFOED. 



Barne}', John L. 
Bliss, Calvin G. 
Bissell, Warren P. 
Davis, John L. 
Davis, Thomas E. 
Drake, Kichard M. 
Eastman, Adoniram 
Francis, Albert B. 
Fowler, Francis W. 
Fowler, Loren 
Freeman, Samuel M. 
Guile, Samuel M. 
Haskill, Augustus 
Heath, Isaac P. 
Heath, John A. 
Jeffrey, Charles 
Kendig, George 
King, John H. 
Stoddard, James S. 
McClure, Nelson 



Lincoln, August A. 
Moore, Ambrose 
McCrory, William 
McKinney, Albert 
Melvin, F. L. 
Miller, M. D. L. 
Pike, Elias G. 
Pomeroy, Charles 
Pasco, William 
Ring, Eugene P. 
Shaw, Jotham 
Strong, M. L. 
Sawyer, George B. 
Thurston, H. N. 
Thurston, George H. 
Wentworth, John W. 
Wheeler, W. W. 
Wilkins, W. W. 
Howard, Lewis M. 
Hoit, Moses 



Wilkins, William W. DeReenier, James H. 



MEEIDEN. 



Bradley, Henry 
Bradley, William 
Fitzsimraons, Charles 
Fitzsimmons, Lewis 
Green, L. J. 
Tuthill, William S. 
Williams, Byron J. 
Mosher, Asa 
Baker, Samuel W. 
Cooney, Thomas 
Ritchie, Henry 
McNitt, James R. 
Teed, John A. 
Kern, James W. 



Ross, Cornelius F. 
Carr, Francis H. 
McCabe, William 
Bradley, James 
Jordon, Anthony J. 
Tuthill, John D." 
House, Charles S. 
Hawes, Philo 
Anderson, John L. 
Kidney, William H. 
Middaugh, V. V. 
Harris, William A. 
Lewis, Jacob 
Smith, Adelbert 



Burns, Alvin 
Baker, Charles B. 
Carpenter, Joseph 
Curtis, Samuel J. 
Condin, Patrick 
Carpenter, Thomas 
Eastman, A. R. 
Flake, Levi 
Henry, Michael W. 
Henry, Miles 
Irvin, Frederick J. 
Jones, Henry B. 
Jones, Oliver T. 
Kendall, Frank L. 
Lane, John 
McAndrews, Michael 
Pennick, Wilmot H. 
Thorn, Robert 



McAndrews, Patrick 
Norton, Sewell P. 
Nay lor, George 
Naylor, James 
Reed, Andrew W. 
Thompson, Franklin 
Taylor, Emmons P. 
Williams, Theodore 
Willey, Geo. H. 
Welch, Melvin H. 
MoUey, Lawrence W. 
Barnard, Warren 
Dodge, Daniel, Jr. 
Casler, Smith 
Curtis, John W. 
Curtis, Henry L. 
O'Toole, Terrence 
Collin, Thomas J. 



OWATONA. 



Adams, James H, 
Barnes, James J. 



MERTON. 

Mosher, Norman 
Martin, Willard E. 



Ambler, R. C. 
Arnold, E. M. 
Boll, Fredolin 
Burr, John D. 
Barnett, P. D. 
Barnej^ Michael 
Burns, Hugh 
Babcock, L. F. 
Burr, Murdock P. 
Case, M. B. 
Crooker, Geo. W. 
Colyer, Andrew H. 
Coverdale, D. L. 
Carter, J. T. 
Crawford, J. W. 
Crandall, O. S. 
Case, Simeon 
Carlton, Dexter 
Conwell, F. A. 
Lindersmith, Oliver 
La Gro, Ebenezer 
Morford, S. D. 
Moessner, C. F. 
Mills, Geo. M. 
Morford, Joel G. 
JMoore, Orlando S. 
Minthorne, T. C. S. 



Ernst, A. W. 
Elliott, Jeremiah 
Fillmore, E. D. 
Fletcher, Harvey 
Flinn, J. N. H. 
Foster, Norman T. 
Gordon, Walter 
Goodwin, Jas. A. 
Grear, John 
Hall, James F. 
Hooker, J. B. 
Hadley, J. A. 
Hess, Jacob W. 
Haynes, Asa S. 
Hartz, William 
Hammond, Chas. F. 
Kelley, Thomas 
Kerrott, E. M. 
Livingston, Frank 
Pasco, Richard A. 
Presley, William 
RusseU, W. H. 
Rideout, Andrew J. 
Sawyer, Jas. T. 
Schimek, Austin E. 
Sherman, W. H. 
Stowers, Smith H. 



126 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Miles, Richard ■ 
Morris, John 
Northrop, E. W. 
Nichols, Jacob 
Norman, John B. 
Odell, Geo. W. 
Phillips, E. P. 
Phelps, Alvin 
Patten, M. R. 
Phelps, Addison 
Parsons, Fred 
Phillips, Horace H. 
Yearley, Zeus S. 
Thompson, Thomas 
Brigham, Henry D. 
Epla, Samuel S. 
Howard, C. E» 
Bettig, Samuel, Jr. 
Crocker, Geo. W. 
Coon, John D. 
Harsh, Hiram 
Hulett, Ebon 
Robinson, Hiram 
Thenig, Geo. W. 
Vail, Allen S. 
Young, Joseph 
Lipsey, John F. 
Rock, John M. 
Sweatt, Methia 
Walrod, Jacob W. 
Wickham, John C. 
Young, John 
Buck, Edwin P. 
Andrews, Theodorus J. 



Scott, Wm. B. 
Thom, George 
Towle, Daniel G. 
Thompson, H. R. 
Thomas, James S. 
Town, Julius A. 
Wheaton, Willard 
Wood, Alanson B. 
Winschell, Nathaniel 
Webster, William 
Winched, Wm. B. 
Ware, Marcus 
Bradley, William 
Lindersmith, O. 
Peebles, Jacob 
Siars, Benjamin 
Tasker, Daniel L. 
Tiffany, Oscar 
Tyler, Ezra A. 
Ameigh, Erin H. 
Brooks, George W. 
Clark, Wm. H. 
Giles, Charles 
Jones, Charles A. 
Jepson, John 
Lyons, Wm. B. 
Marshall, D. P. 
Hopkins, Geo. N. 
Chase, Russell 
Middaugh, Solomon 
Sherpy, James M. 
Chambers, George 
Ramsey, Nathaniel 
Wilcox, John 



Euny, Joseph 
Hickok, Frankhn K. 
McPelt, Michael 
Morrison, Daniel R. 
Pitch, Wesley W. 



Wddrich, John 
Slocum, Melvin B. 
Reece, Isaac 
Peggs, Joseph E. E. 
Gardner, Charles W. 



Stevens, Lafayett. 



SUMMIT. 



Fredenburg, Jeremiah 
Farrell, John 
Smith, James 
Winched, George 
Wheeler, Benj. S. 
Benedict, Harvey, Jr. 
Davis, Hanson B. 
Fredenburg, Alvin 
Colanhour, Archibard 



Austin, Freborn L. 
Heath, Roswell F. 
Smith, David V. 
Scram, Wm. T. 
Barrett, Isaac S. 
Ellis, Mortimer R. 
Loomis, Daniel A. 
Work, Adolphus C. 
Warner, John M. 



SOMERSET. 



Borchert, Henry 
Borchert, Ferdinand 
Card. Wm. N. 
Curtis, Chas. C. 
Gross, Oscar 
Thompson, Arza B. 
Breidenstein, Wm. N. 
James, Thos. G. 
Lunn, Joiin 
Buckner, Joseph 
Bailey, Albert 
Ellison, Chas. 
Gross, Gilbert 
Kenyon, Thomas E. 
Hanson, Wm. W. 

Walcott, 



Mitchell, George 
Maynard, David L. 
Sekora, Frank 
King, James S. 
Smith, James B. 
Sawyer, Philo 
Steele, Charles A. 
Onficleson, Ole 
Powers, Byrum 
Pitcher, Henry A. 
Carvey, Stephen 
Johnson, Herman 
Knowlton, Chas. R. 
Howe, Lafayette 
Anderson, Silas 
Theodore. 



CHAPTER XV. 




EEMINISCENCES OF INTEREST. 



N this chapter we present a num- 
ber of reminiscences that have, 
through various means, fallen into 
the hands of the historian. Many 
of the articles will be found 
extremely interesting and all 
contain historical data which 
make them well worthy of preservation. 

RECOLLECTIONS. 

By A. B. Cornell. 

Ever will myself and family remember 
the many pleasant days spent in what is now 
one of the most beautiful cities of Minnesota, 
and never can be forgotten our first thoughts 
on beholding the charming nook, now 
changed into a mart of enterprise by the 
hand of man. 

Oft does our memory linger as we live 
over the first days of our introduction to the 
unsettled portion of the then territory of 
Minnesota, and perhaps a simple sketch of 
events passing at that time may be readable. 

'Twas early in the year 1854 that four 
famihes, incited by the reports received, left 
Sparta, in Monroe County, Wis., to try the 
realities of a border life among the Sioux 
Indians. 

Their names were Geo. F. Pettit, wife and 
three children ; W. F. Pettit, wife and child ; 
Wilbur Fisk and Avife, and the writer with 
his wife and two little girls of less than three 
years of age. 

The first two named parties were possessed 
of some means ; the last t\vo were compara- 
tively poor, but they had all a reasonable 
share of pluck, and left Wisconsin with a 
determination to hew out a home in the far 



Northwest. The trip thither was overland, 
the only traveled route being via Black 
River Falls, Eau Claire, Menominee, Hudson, 
or St. Croix, to St. Paul, from whence we 
were intending to make for the headwaters 
of Cannon River, over what was then a seem- 
ingly boundless prairie. The journe}', though 
not without interest or excitement, was one 
of great fatigue, especially for the wives and 
little ones, but was happily accomplished 
without special accident till we approached a 
small creek, a short distance north of where 
now is located the flourishing city of North- 
field. On arriving at that creek we had 
camped for the night on the bank of the 
Vermillion, had partaken of a supper of fish 
from the limpid waters thereof. When, ere 
we retired, the heavy clouds in the west 
betokened a storm, and the distant rolling 
thunder did not impart special music to our 
ears. Before morning the storm swept along, 
one continued peal of thunder, incessant 
flashes of lightning and a perfect deluge of 
water. In a few moments the whole prairie 
seemed a vast pond ; but as the day broke 
the clouds cleared away, and the original 
party, reinforced by several other teams, 
among whom a Mr. Alexander, who subse- 
quently settled near Northfleld, started out 
for the "land of promise." Passing to the 
west of a towering obelisk on the open prairie 

— a sort of landmark for the early settlers 

— we came to a vast expanse of water which 
forbid further progress. Skirting down, the 
stream we found a trail where evident cross- 
ings had been made previous to the storm, 
and, observing signs of a camp on the other 
side, we too camped for the night. 



127 



128 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



In the morning, the stream having very 
much abated, some of the party waded to 
the bank of the stream, which was not of 
great width, and on inquiring found the 
campers there to consist of a young French- 
man and his Matilda Jane, who had started 
a day or two previous from what was then 
known as Faribault's Trading Post, now 
the city of Faribault, bound to Mendota, 
sixty miles away, to secure the services of a 
priest to join in wedlock two loving hearts. 
The storm coming on they were blockaded 
— could neither proceed nor return — and 
not having provided themselves with any 
lunch, as might naturalh^ be supposed they 
were hungry. Still the delicacy of the situ- 
ation made them rather reticent in applying 
for relief. Our party having taken in the 
situation, fully believing that loving hearts 
even, could not subsist on bliss alone, took 
speedy measures to convey, on the cranium 
of an expert swimmer, some edibles to the 
other bank of the stream, where the swain, 
wading out, met the messenger, but not being 
arrayed in appropriate bridal array was com- 
pelled to decline an introduction to the 
soon-to-be bride. The next day the water 
had so fallen that rafts were put in requi- 
sition, the imrty taken across, a hurried din- 
ner eaten, and the blushing, happy pair 
started j)riest-ward (a new word, but will be 
understood), bound for a blessing or ratifica- 
tion of their promises to each other. 

Here, in ferrying our party over, by some 
slip or carelessness, the raft capsized, carry- 
ing with it a wagon and its entire contents, 
but by good luck no lives were lost, though 
we were delayed for a couple of days in fish- 
ing from the bottom of the stream the 
various articles therein submerged. 

Passing on we came to Cannon River, near 
where Water ford was afterward located, 
where was the first semblance of settlement 
after leaving St. Paul, and finding the water 
so high it was decided to make a permanent 
camp, and like the Israelites of old send out 
spies to view the land. "While making- 



arrangements. Col. Ide, who had located a 
few days previous just east of Faribault, 
came into camp, his mission being to attend 
the Masonic celebration of St. John's day at 
St. Paul, he being a Master Mason. 

We speak of him more particularly because 
he was afterward a member of the legisla- 
ture from Rice County, a candidate for lieu- 
tenant governor on the first organization of 
the Republican part^^ of the State — one of 
the early settlers of Wilton, Waseca County, 
a man universally beloved — and who some 
years since passed away. 

When matters were properly arranged, 
the Pettits, Fisk, and the writer, together 
with several young men, started on a tour of 
exploration — passing up and around Cannon 
Lakes — toward the source of the stream 
to the lakes near Waterville, thence south 
and east to Clear Lake, thence northeast, 
through what then seemed almost inter- 
minable marshes, to the vicinity of Deer- 
field, from there to where Medford is 
now located, where was found a pio- 
neer. Smith Johnson by name, where we 
halted for a day or two. In this vicinity 
three families, Sanborn, Collins and Johnson, 
who were probably the first families settling 
in what is now Steele Count\^, but was then 
embodied in Rice County, taking in what is 
now Rice, Steele, Waseca, Freeborn, Mower, 
Dodge and the greater part of Olmsted and 
Fillmore counties. The only place at which 
an election was held in all that tract of 
country, in 1854, was Faribault, at which 
time the assembly district was composed of 
Hennepin, Dakota and Rice counties, and 
II. H. Siblej-, afterward governor, was 
elected representative, the entire vote being 
about three hundred. Rice County contribut- 
ing the total number of twenty -eight, — all for 
Sibley. 

After partaking of the hospitalities of set- 
tlers Mr. Geo. F. Pettit and several of the 
young men, to whom the mosquitoes paid 
particular attention, decided to return, while 
Mr. Fisk and one or two others went through 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



129 



the timber to East Prairie, Mr. W. F. Pettit 
and tlie writer following up the river to 
where Owatonna now stands, Mr. Pettit lay- 
ing claim to 320 acres northwest of the 
point whei'e Maple Creek forms its junction 
with Straight River, the writer laying claim 
to what is now included in the southern part 
of the city, but, as no lines were then sur- 
veyed, a portion of said land or claim after- 
ward proved to be on the school section. 

Here, far away from any settlement, in the 
midst of and surrounded by Indians, Mrs. 
Cornell and her two little girls commenced 
the making of a home ; the shade of a tree 
just above a spring which was dug in the 
hill-side being the kitchen, and some crutches 
with poles and brushes overhead, covered 
with hay, about nine feet by ten in size, be- 
ing parlor, sitting and bedroom. The first 
day of July, 1854, is a day long to be re- 
membered ; the first white woman beheld 
your now prosperous city, and until the 
twenty-second day of September was the 
sole female inhabitant. No roads trav- 
ersed the country in any direction ; no 
trails except one crossing the river nearly 
a mile north at the jjoint of timber, 
then over the hill to the coast, near where 
the public school building was afterward 
erected ; but we did not lack for company. 
The natives, the noble Sioux, were constant 
visitants, in season and out of season, but 
were viewed with a great apprehension at 
the time. The nearest postofiice was St. 
Paul, eighty miles away ; neither was there a 
store nor a chance to get a box of matches 
nearer than the capital. North of us the 
nearest settler was distant seven miles ; east, 
forty -five miles, where the city of Rochester 
now stands ; south, forty miles, and west, Man- 
kato, fifty miles, with neither roads nor 
bridges nor trails except those made by the 
Indians. 

In the fall a postofiice was established at 
Faribault, which made us feel we had every- 
thing at our very door as we could, by walk- 
ing a journey of eighteen miles, send to St« 



Paul for anything we might want, and it took 
only two weeks to get it. 

The writer and family. Judge Green and 
family, Messrs. Park, Smith and Williams, 
single men, and a family by the name of 
Scott were the only parties who spent the 
winter of 1854-5, though in the early spring 
Messrs. Phelps, Carlton, Town, Sanford, Ar- 
nold, Lindersmith, Meek, Odell, settled near 
by. A school was established. Mr. N. Win- 
ship located -in early part of summer and 
erected the first public-house in the county. 
It was built of logs subsequently enlai'ged, 
and has been kept by the same gentleman 
for about thirty years. Messrs. Smith and 
Park opened a store, a postofiice was estab- 
lished, roads opened and the town laid off. 
The legislature of 1855 laid off SteeleCounty, 
and it was organized by Gov. Gorman, 
Samuel F. Smith, F. W. Fisk and Francis 
Ingraham, commissioners ; Smith Johnson, 
probate judge; Charles Ellison, register of 
deeds ; W. F. Pettit, sheriff ; Simeon Case, 
county attorney ; J. H. Catlin, clerk. 

The first school was taught by Miss Helen 
Holbrook in the summer of 1855, the accom- 
modations being inexpensive, a mere bower 
of brush, while occasionally Eev. Mr. Town 
did the spiritual part of the settlement, in 
the way of preaching. The county -seat was 
established, and Owatonna took a start as a 
town of note. 

In 1856 the Watchman and Register was 
started by Mr. J. H. Abbott and the writer. 
Mr. Ezra Abbott erected a steam sawmiU ; a 
neat log schoolhouse was built, a drug store 
was opened by Dr. D. S. Harsha, J. W. 
Morford opened a shoe store, subsequently 
putting in dry goods and groceries, and 
through the untiring energy of its citizens, 
arrangements were so made as to secure both 
the Transit and Minnesota Central railroads, 
thus making it one of the best towns in south- 
ern Minnesota. 

The name is Sioux, and the proper pronun- 
ciation is " TFbotanna," spelled Owatonna, and 
signifies straight. There were many incidents 



130 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



that took place dui-ing the early settlement, 
many of which were amusing. The early 
settlers were all industrious and enterprising, 
but were generally poor, ready always to ex- 
tend a helping hand, not addicted to vices, 
the consequence being that taxes have been 
measurably low. We look upon Steele as 
one of the best counties of the State, and to- 
day, were it not for the long winters, we would 
prefer Minnesota to any Western State. 

"eaely days" 
By Eon. G. W. Green. 
About the year 1854 I left Beaver Dam, 
Wis., in company with Messrs. Hollings- 
worth, Bradley and Boomer, for the purpose 
of seeing some portion of southeastern Min- 
nesota, with an idea of settling there. Ar- 
riving at La Crosse we purchased material 
for cam2)ing and ferried across the Mississip])i 
River. One log house nearly finished greeted 
us on the west side of the river opposite La 
Crosse. This was all there was of La Cres- 
cent. The next house, twenty-four miles 
distant, was occupied by a Thompsonian 
phj'sician, by name of Bently, who had con- 
cluded to mix claim-taking and rudimen- 
tary farming with his profession. Six miles 
further on, where now is St. Charles, was 
one more log house occupied as a tavern by 
one Springer. There was a slight, newly- 
made wagon track extending about ten 
miles further on, where a young man and 
his wife, by name of Potter, had taken a 
claim and were building a small house. One 
story of this house was finished and the 
chamber floor laid of loose boards, without 
any roof. They asked us to stay with them 
over night ; we did so. In the night it 
rained hard and we got thoroughly soaked. 
After breakfast the next morning we started 
on without any track and no guide but our 
pocket compass. About noon of this day 
we came up with Mr. A. G. Sutliff, who was 
moving with his family from Dodge Count}^ 
Wis., to a point about eight miles northwest 
of Travers des Sioux (a missionary post near 
where St. Peter now is), so named because 



it was at this place that the Sioux Indians 
forded the river. 

Mr. Sutliff was a noted pioneer of Wis- 
consin. On the occasion of a previous trip 
the spring before, he had made a claim at 
the point whither he was now wending his 
way, but by a different route. So he knew 
but little more than we did as to the most 
feasible route to his destination. Mr. IIoll- 
ingsworth was Sutliff's father-in-law. We 
very willingly accepted their kind invitation 
to keep in company with them to their new 
claim. Mr. Suthff had with him a large 
herd of cattle and sheep. We crossed the 
Ashland prairie near the head of the Straight 
and Zumbro rivers and near the Oak Glen 
lakes. AVithin one mile of Straight Kiver 
we camped for dinner. After dinner Mr. 
Sutliff wanted me to go with him and look 
for a suitable place to cross the river. We 
went to the river, and, finding no desirable 
crossing, concluded to cross further up near 
what seemed, by the appearance of the 
timber, to be a very considerable bend in 
the river, apparently some five or six miles 
away. It was agreed that Sutliff should go 
back and guide the teams, while I should 
cross the river and travel up to the proposed 
crossing. Without thinking much about the 
company, I went slowl}' on, until I came to 
the place where Dr. Kenyon subsequently 
lived. I could see or hear nothing of the 
company, not even, a cow-bell, several of 
which I knew were in use on the cattle. I 
tried as well as I could to find their where- 
abouts. Although but a short distance be- 
low the proposed crossing, I could not find 
any trace of them before it was dark. As 
fate would have it, I had neither coat nor 
blanket, jack-knife nor matches, ax nor 
hatchet. Tired and hungry I laid myself un- 
der a tree to rest, and was very soon asleep. 
With no breakfast I renewed my search for 
the companj', going on up the river to a 
point where a Mr. Bennett afterward made 
his claim, but found no signs. I then con- 
cluded to follow down the river as long as 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



131 



my strength lasted, unless I found something 
more desirable. Before proceeding, however, 
I pulled off a boot and, with the head of a 
pin, wrote upon a smooth part of the boot-leg 
my name thus : G. W. Green, Beaver Dam, 
Wis., not knowing but some one would find 
my bones and boots, and thereby my friends 
in Wisconsin might hear from me. I had a 
little matter of $700 in my pockets which, 
in case I should be lost, this act might be 
the means of my family getting. I had 
no other way of writing. After this 
preparation for the worst that might befall 
me, I started down the river, traveling 
slowly until nearly sun-down, when I found 
the trail where they had crossed the river, 
not over a half mile above where I had 
left Sutliff. With new courage I started 
on this trail. I followed it a short dis- 
tance without any trouble ; darkness com- 
ing on, the trail became invisible and I 
lost it. In hunting for it, I stumbled 
and fell, and my weariness and exhaus- 
tion were such that I did not feel dis- 
posed to rise for some time. I unconsciously 
fell asleep ; when I awoke the sun was high 
up and shining brightly. Ke-invigorated by 
my sound and restful sleeji I soon found the 
trail and following it slowly a short time, I 
observed two men approaching me. They 
were of our company. Looking up towards 
the timber about three miles from where 
they had crossed the river, I saw the wagons 
and remainder of the company. They had 
camped there early in the afternoon expect- 
ing that I would see and come to them. 
When night came and I did not appear, they 
built a large fire and kept it going all night, 
hoping thereby to attract my attention. 

The next day they spent on horseback 
looking for me. When I arrived in camp, 
they represented to me that my eyes were 
staring, and my lips and tongue swollen. 
Mrs. Sutliff prepared me something to eat, 
but I had no appetite and could eat nothing, 
instead thereof calling for a cup of sour milk 
which I drank with relish. I took but verv 



little nourishment, except sour milk, the rest 
of the day. My appetite slowly returning 
the next day, I ate sparingly, but it was some 
three or four days before I could take an 
ordinary meal. 

From here we proceeded to Beaver Lake, 
crossing its outlet Avhere the road now runs ; 
here we saw an Indian, and tried to get some 
idea from him what course to take to reach 
the Minnesota River, but failed to secure any 
correct information. Crossing some of the 
rivulets that unite to form the Le Sueur River, 
we forded the main Le Sueur near where St. 
Mary's was afterward built. We wandered 
on we knew not where, and struck Minnesota 
Lake. Here we stayed two days and looked 
for signs.. At last, about three miles west 
of the lake, we found a freshly-made Indian 
trail going southwest. We concluded that 
the Indians had gone on a hunting expedition 
and that they had congregated at the Min- 
nesota River, starting eti masse from there. 
Not knowing anything better to do, we took 
this trail back and struck tlie river at Man- 
kato, July L Mankato then consisted of one 
family who kept a log boarding-house, and 
one man who ])resided over a saloon made of 
small poles. No other evidence of civiliza- 
tion met our gaze. From here we proceeded 
to Mr. Sutliff's claim, remaining with him a 
day. We then followed the trail down the 
Minnesota River to St. Paul, which was at 
this time but little more than an Indian 
trading-post, not as large as St. Anthony. 
And Minneapolis had not yet been spoken 
of. Here we boarded the steamer for La 
Crosse, from which point we took our way 
homeward by our own conveyance. 

At the time of this hasty and imperfect 
observation of this part of southeast Minne- 
sota, the prairies were covered with luxuri- 
ant grasses from three and a half to four 
feet high, over which deer and elk i-oved at 
will, several large herds coming within our 
view. 

After leaving Potter's house, ten miles 
from Springer's, we saw no house until our 



132 



HISTORY OF STEELE Ct)UNTY. 



arrival at Mankato. I think there were two 
or three shanties or at near Le Sueur. At 
Belle Plaine there was one house occupied 
by Indian traders, and Judge Chatfield, then 
late of Racine, "Wis., was building a small 
log house, preparatory to moving his family 
there. We found several township lines re- 
cently run ; one especially prominent in my 
recollection was the corner post at the south- 
east corner of township 107 north, of range 
20 east, being the southeast corner of the 
city of Owatonna, whether I have the num- 
bers right or not. 

I made no definite location on this trip, 
but thought 1 would return to Wisconsin and 
move with my familj^ into the vicinity of 
Straight or Le Sueur River, then making my 
location. Accordingly on the 12th of August, 
1854, I started with my family and mova- 
bles, upon ox wagons, drawn by seven pairs 
of oxen, wagons all lightly loaded, but too 
heavy for the trip, as I afterward found. 
By driving slowly and carefully, and leaving 
on the way about one-third of our load, we 
got through all right. With our train I had 
about eighty cows and young cattle, besides 
three wagons belonging to other parties. 
Eleven men accompanied me to help me 
through and assist in cutting hay for the 
stock, also to put up necessary buildings, 
etc., on our arrival. But it was agreed that 
they need stay no longer than two weeks 
after I had made my location. 

While crossing the Ashland prairie, we 
met Mr. Sutliff returning with his teams and 
wagons to Wisconsin for winter supplies. 
He had sold his claim near Travers de Sioux 
and returned to Le Sueur River, locating 
about six miles south of Wilton. He, being 
anxious that we should all locate near him, 
concluded to return with us and sliow us 
lands in his vicinity. Arriving at Straight 
River at the point where Owatonna is located, 
we found that stream booming, eight feet 
deep. We could go no further with all our 
luggage. Tents were pitched, cattle herded, 
counsel solicited. Here we found A. B. Cor- 



nell and family located on the bank of the 
river in a pole house covered with hay, 
near the bridge on Bridge street. Mr. Cor- 
nell seemed glad to see us and did not fail 
to respond freely to our request for counsel. 
He showed me the ground north of town on 
which I finally located. But as we all 
desired to locate together, and the rest 
could not satisfy themselves near, it was 
decided to leave the women and children 
with a couple of men as guard for them and 
to watch the stock, while the rest of the 
company should move on to Le Sueur River 
and reconnoiter. The next day we crossed 
the river with three wagons, four yoke of 
oxen, and one cow. The men camped on 
the west side of the river that night ; I went 
back to the tent and stayed with my family. 
It rained a large portion of the night. In the 
morning we started, bearing southwest. We 
struck the Big Slough near where the road 
to Lemond now crosses it, and spent until 
the next day noon trying to cross, but all in 
vain. We then made our way to the river, 
where we found that, by mowing some grass 
to cover the outlet to the slough, we could 
cross. Still it rained by spells, and there was 
a well-defined stream in every ravine. We 
went on to Beaver Lake and struck our old 
trail made on the first trip. In crossing 
one of the head rivulets of Le Sueur River, 
now a foaming torrent, the front end- 
board of one wagon-box went out and sev- 
eral articles went down. A broad-ax was 
lost, so we called this stream " Broad- Ax " 
Creek. In fording another rivulet one of 
the men, with boots as high as his knees, 
stood upon the back end-board of a wagon- 
box, holding onto the top of the wagon- 
cover, so this was called "Big Boot" Creek. 
We looked around the prairies and timbers 
between Wilton and Sutliff's claim. We aU 
liked the country and concluded to make 
claims there. I requested the men to go 
and make their claims, then I would make 
mine, which was done. Still it raine<l ; the 
men got wet and cold and finally homesick. 



HI8T0EY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



133 



or sick of their country. They said it would 
all overflow every wet spell, and, should 
they settle there, no one else would venture 
so far from civilization for the next hundred 
years, and for the rest of their natural lives 
and those of their families, they would be 
there without bridges or other improvements, 
except such as they could improvise among 
themselves. So we all went back to Straight 
Eiver and, on the 20th of September, I 
staked out my claim, the south line of which 
extended a short distance nortli of the 
present Owatonna Railway depots. My 
men went to work cutting hay (no mowers 
and horse-rakes then). Two weeks had 
expired ; our hay was cut and stacked ; our 
log house laid up and covered with shake- 
roof ; no gables, no chinking, no flooi's, doors 
or windows. I could not persuade the men 
to stay another day. They said there would 
be no other person settling in there for the 
next fifty years, and that if I wintered they 
knew I would return to Wisconsin in the 
spring. So they started on their return trip. 
Here I was left with an invalid wife and 
three small children, no stables for the stock, 
no house suitable for cold weather, and 
apparently no help attainable. It seemed 
more than I could do to make things endur- 
able for winter, but the next day a wagon- 
load of ten men made their appearance, and 
I got what help I needed from then on. Mr. 
Cornell had a log house commenced on the 
bank of the river, near where Mr. Albertus' 
house now stands. It was laid up about four 
or five logs higli. He fixed the back part 
and moved into it the fore part of winter. 
The upright part was completed the next 
spring and opened as a hotel. We moved 
into our house the latter part of October, 
having got the gables up and the spaces 
between the logs chinked and mudded on the 
outside. 

About the 1st of November I found a com- 
pany of movers, consisting of twenty-two 
men, women and children, camping on the 
prairie between Owatonna and Crane Creek. 



The wind was cold and fresh from the north- 
west, with every appearance of a storm. I 
offered them one-half of my house for a few 
days until they could do better. They ac- 
cepted. In the latter part of November, 
during a severe windstorm, accompanied 
with snow, hail and rain, a company of 
twelve surveyors drove up to my door. 
They had been engaged in dividing town- 
sliips into sections. They were hunting for 
shelter from the storm. I assured them 
they had come to exactly the right place ; 
that I had plenty of room for shelter. (My 
company of twenty-two had not yet left.) 
They observed the crowd of men, women 
and children around, and remarked that, 
judging by appearances, our house must be 
already pretty well filled. I told them that 
only the lower part of the house was occu- 
pied, and that, although there was no cham- 
ber floor, they could take their axes and cut 
poles sufficient to lay across the beams, upon 
which they could place hay to spread their 
blankets on. 

This problem being solved, they desired 
to know what could be done with the teams, 
which needed shelter equally with the men. 
I pointed out to them a large stack of hay 
near the house, which was fenced with a 
hio'h, strono; oak fence. I told them thev 
could turn the horses in there around that 
stack, and pitch off enough hay to make 
them comfortable. After some further in- 
quiries they concluded to accept my offer, 
and went to work' accordingly. 

The next morning they departed for Aus- 
tin, well satisfied with their entertainment. 
My company of twenty-two remained with 
me till spring, and, as there was not space 
sufficient to make beds for all at once, they 
took turns in sleeping, whether by night or 
da3', while the rest sang songs, told stories, 
etc. Some of them went to Le Sueur River, 
some located near Owatonna, and some re- 
turned to Wisconsin. 

In March, 1855, Dr. W. W. Finch, an 
eminent physician of Essex County, N. Y"., 



13-4 



HISTOKY OF STEELE COUNTY, 



settled at Clinton Falls. On the 6th of 
April my son, George K. Green, was born. 
Dr. Finch attending, who went from my 
house to that of A. W. Adams, when his 
son, Frank, was born. These two were the 
first white children born in Steele County. 
The spring and summer of 1855 proved to 
be an important era in the history of Owa- 
tonna. There was no town there yet, but 
Cornell had been reinforced in the persons 
of W. F. Petitt, Ezra and John H. Abbott, 
Squire Phelps and others. There were no 
roads through Steele, Waseca or Dodge 
counties ; only miserable trails. Mr. Cornell, 
with his reinforcement, displayed indom- 
itable energy and tact in converting the 
tracks toward Mantorville and Austin into 
passable roads. Then he and others started 
out as missionaries to enlighten the various 
emigrant trains searching for claims in Min- 
nesota, through the counties of Dodge and 
Mower, and convincing them beyond doubt 
that Steele County was the equal, if not the 
superior, of any other section of the State, 
and that Owatonna was the center around 
which the world revolved — the " open ses- 
ame" to prosperity and wealth. Cornell 
even went as far as La Crescent, opposite La 
Crosse, and later into Sparta, "Wis., instruct- 
ing the emigrants in search of new homes in 
regard to the Eldorado, meaning Owatonna, 
Minn. As a consequence of his labors and 
that of others having the same interest, the 
town site of Owatonna was covered with em- 
igrant wagons, men, women and children 
flocking in from every direction. A large 
corps of energetic young men were engaged 
in gratuitously showing such emigrants as 
desired new homes where they could make 
the most advantageous claims. Very many 
settled in the county that year, and many 
located in Owatonna, and thus the success of 
the enterprise was assured. 

In the spring of 1857 I sold out at Owa- 
tonna and went to Clinton Falls, whei'e I 
engaged in the building of the Clinton mills. 
These mills became the place for custom- 



grinding flour and feed for a large portion 
of Dodge, Mower, Freeborn, Waseca, Blue 
Earth, Faribault and Steele counties, and a 
portion of the south part of Kice County. 
After the advent of railroads better mills 
were erected all over the country, with mod- 
ern machinery and model millers, and better 
flour was obtained from these than could be 
made by any of the pioneer custom-mills. 
The old mills were not generally located 
favorably or conveniently for the new and 
improved order of things that came after 
the building of the railroads. 

I liked Minnesota, and especially Steele 
County ; the people were mostly born and 
reared in the same latitude with me. Their 
habits and modes of thinking were similar 
to mine, and although radical difl'erences 
at times existed, which were combated with 
energy on both sides, yet I liked the people 
and thought to spend the rest of my days 
with them. But in December, 1879, I took 
a violent cold which fastened itself upon me 
for all winter and until the latter part 
of summer, when I seemed to get well, or 
nearly so. But the next winter, while I did 
not take cold in the ordinary acceptation of 
that term, yet, when the cold weather came 
I had asthma, which I did not recover from 
even by keeping myself almost constantly 
in-doors. The malady increased all winter, 
so I could not sleep well nights, and even 
through the ensuing summer there was no 
visible improvement in my condition. 

In the fall I became worse, and it was ev- 
ident to me that I could not stand another Min- 
nesota winter. So on the twenty-fourth day 
of October, 1881, 1 started with my family for 
California. In a few months after my arri- 
val I entirely recovered from asthma, and 
have not felt a touch of it since. 

Salinas, Cal., August, 1887. 
FROM THE WATCHMAN AND REGISTER, 1856. 

As a matter of interest to the old settlers 
we here present a number of extracts from 
a copy of the Waichman and Iie(jider of 
July 29, 1856, which has been preserved by 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



135 



Dr. E. M. Morehouse. It is a copy of the 
second issue of the paper : 

A. B. Cornell advertises as " attorney and 
counselor-at-law, notary public and general 
land agent, Owatonia, M. T. Being well ac- 
quainted with the whole country and its best 
locations, he feels assured that he can satisfy 
aU who may favor him witli their business." 
He states that he will enter land on time for 
occupants, and that he has village property 
in Owatonia, Mantorville, Austin, Wilton 
and Empire. 

Adolphus Town advertises a " lot of books 
many of a religious character, for sale 
cheap." 

The following article in regard to Owa- 
tonia is also found in this issue : 

" Owatonia is situated on the east bank of 
Straight Eiver, on a beautiful table-land some 
thirty feet above the bed of tlie stream, and 
is eighteen miles from its junction with 
Cannon River. To the north and south are 
heavy bodies of timber, while westward it is 
generally prairie, interspersed with beauti- 
ful groves ; clear running streams and gush- 
ing springs abound. 

" But two years since, the first settlement 
was made, at which time no one lived nearer 
than five miles on a direct line north, and in 
any other direction nearly forty. In Octo. 
ber succeeding the settlement, the first sur- 
veys were made in the vicinity, since which 
time the country has been rapidly filling up. 

" The town or village was laid off as such 
last November, and has gone ahead beyond 
all calculation. It is a point well worthy the 
attention of all desiring to invest in town 
property, and the country around cannot fail 
to suit the most particular. 

" Our settlers are all industrious and enter- 
prising, being mostly from the Eastern States; 
good schools are already established, and the 
Word of God is publicly proclaimed by 
preachers of the different denominations 
every Sabbath. 

" No intoxicating drink has been sold, and 
it is the determination of all to Iceep the 



curse away. This place is tlie count3'-seat of 
Steele County, and, being on the direct route 
from La Crosse and Winona to St. Peter city, 
Travers des Sioux and Mankato, and from 
Dubuque by way of Cedar River to St. Paul, 
Minneapolis, and St. Anthony, make it a 
prominent center, — roads connecting it with 
all the surrounding country — in fact, the 
future prospect stands unrivaled." 

POLITICS IN 1857. 

In an issue of the Owatonna Register, dated 
November 13, 1857, we find an article upon 
the jjolitical situation which will be found of 
much interest. A. Brown was acting as edi- 
tor of the paper. It is headed " Results," 
and is as follows : 

" Election is now over, and as the smoke 
of the conflict recedes in the distance we are 
enabled to trace out upon the background 
the result, and deduce conclusions therefrom. 

" The contest was a very close one, throw- 
ing aside the floating vote that must neces- 
sarily be polled under the regulations of the 
schedule and ten-day system of residence. 
Including the Indians and half-breeds, who 
exercised the right of the elective franchise, 
the full vote of the territory is a moiety over 
forty thousand. 

" The entire Democratic State and Terri- 
torial ticket with the exception of governor 
is elected by a small majority, and both 
branches of the legislature are in the hands 
of the Democrats, thus securing the election 
of two United States senators, pro-slavery. 
The Republicans have elected their governor 
by a majority of at least five or six hundred 
throwing out the fraudulent returns from 
Pembina, Cottonwood and Redwood coun- 
ties, Mille Lac, Brown and other frontier 
towns, precincts and fabulous localities that 
have no tangible existence, except upon 
lithographs, which have all been returned 
with enormous votes for Sibley. For in- 
stance : Cass, Pembina and Todd report 
seven hundred votes for Sibley, and Ramsey 
blank. Now it is a well-known fact that east 



136 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



of the Red Eiver of the North, within the 
proposed boundaries of the State, not over 
fifty votes could have been polled ; and in 
the counties of Cass and Todd, that never in 
the aggregate polled over sixty votes, and 
now only claim to have given Sibley ninety 
votes, it is plain the balance of seven hundred 
must have come from Pembina. 

"Again, the counties of Rock, Cottonwood, 
Martin and Murray, whose existence to the 
pul^lic, prior to this, has been a myth, are re- 
jwrted to have given 219 majority for Sibley, 
Ramsey getting but two votes. The unor- 
ganized count}^ of Renville casts 119 votes 
— more than there are inhabitants in the 
county, including men, women, children and 
red-skins; and 111 of those are for Sibley. 
Here is where Stephen A. Douglas, the Dred 
Scott decision, and Buchanan & Co. were so 
unanimously endorsed, as the Pioneer vaunt- 
ingly boasts. 

"We might add McLeod and a host of 
other border localities, inhabited principally 
by a few half-breeds and savages, where ma- 
jorities were ground out for Sibley and the 
' balance ' on the Barstow pi'inciple. By 
these nefarious means and spurious returns, 
Sibley leads Ramsey 290 majority. And 
take into consideration the fact that these 
bogus returns have been laying in the secre- 
tar3''s office for the last two or three weeks, 
unannounced, while their contents were 
bruited upon the street corners, the conclu- 
sion is iri-esistible that they were kept back 
till different sections could be heard from, in 
order to see how many extra votes were nec- 
essary to elect Sibley. 

"These are a portion of the frauds that 
have been forced upon the intelligent people 
of Minnesota. The record is too diso-usting 
and bare-faced to pursue further. We do 
not wish to indulge in harsh language or 
undue invective. We appeal to all honest 
Democrats for the truth and candor of our 
statements. The mass of the Democratic 
party will not sanction this high-handed 
outrage, but their leadei's will. Gorman, 



Brown & Co. willed, and it was performed. 
And the}" will stand by it now — mark that. 
They have luxuriated on the public teat too 
long to think of surrendering it now. 

" The seats of a few members of the legis- 
lature will be contested, but not so as to 
change the result. Ramsey will, undoubt- 
edly, contest the seat for governor ; then 
comes the tug-of-war. If, in the teeth of 
the mass of corruption, ballot-box stuffing, 
and wholesale fraud which have been perpe- 
trated, the courts shall disregard the cry for 
justice, then, indeed, have we fallen upon 
evil times. Should this be the case, the 
Democratic party will go speediljf to the 
wall. The mark of Cain will rest heavily 
upon its forehead. Its doom will be sealed, 
and its own history will ring, trumpet- 
tongued, its own condemnation. The Re- 
publicans have come out of this campaign 
with clean hands. They have the proud 
consciousness of knowing there is no stigma 
attached to an honorable defeat. Their 
escutcheon is untarnished by political dis- 
honor and their future is bright and hope- 
ful."' 

COUNTY MATTEKS IN 1860. 

The following is an editorial from the pen 
of A. B. Cornell, which appeared in the 
News Letter, in its issue of July 17, 1860. 
The article is presented just as it appeared in 
the columns of the paper mentioned, except 
that names of parties are omitted, as it 
would be unfair to give them without giving 
a chance for an answer to the insinuations. 
In the main, however, the article gives a 
fair idea of the general feeling in the county 
at that time : 

" OuK County Affairs : — In our last issue, 
in calling attention to the indebtedness of 
Steele County, we inadvertentlj'^ omitted to 
place in the catalogue the sum of $1,300, or 
thereabouts, that is due to the State, on State 
tax of 1858, as we are informed by Mr. 
Morford, the county treasurer. In this con- 
nection it may be proper to state that there 
are assets in the hands of the county in the 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



137 



shape of returned lands to pa}' quite a pro- 
portion of the indebtedness mentioned, but 
which is not at ^^resent applicable to liquidate 
our debts ; and the question naturallj^ arises 
as to where we are drifting. "We have been 
told by some gentlemen that the assets here- 
tofore mentioned were sufficient to cancel 
all our debts ; and that the time of redemp- 
tion being soon out, we shall then be pre- 
pared to pay ever}'' one. We think that is 
rather poor consolation to our hard-working 
citizens, and that they will hardly appreciate 
it, knowing full well that most ot them have 
jjaid extraordinary high taxes for the last 
three years, with but little prospect of there 
being a change for the better, under the 
present administration of afifairs. Our 
county orders are already hawked about our 
streets at 25 per cent discount. Some of 
our county officers are buying them up of 
our own citizens at even a much lower 
figure, paying them into our already de- 
pleted treasury for taxes, and pocketing 
the profits arising from the trade ; but 
they are only acting as agents of other 
parties who live at distance, so, of course, 
it's all right. 

" One person says to us that the action of 
the county board, in not levying a State tax, 
was a daring assumption of power not war- 
ranted by the constitution, revolutionary in 
its character, and derogatory to the interests 
of some of our citizens. Well, suppose we 
admit it ; does that prove that it was not 
intended as a measure of relief to those of 
our citizens who had parted with their all to 
sustain their families during the trying times 
of a year or two since, save, perchance, it 
might be the last cow, on which they depended 
for living necessary' to their little ones, and 
which last dependence would be liable to be 
sold to pay their taxes to carry on the gov- 
ernment and help to make aristocrats of 
some who were once our associates ? Verily, 
that Steele County Board are an ungrateful 
lot of scamps, and 'Judge Green is the 
worst of the lot, for he knew hctter.'' Poor 



man ! That sin of knowledge outyht to be 
repented of, and that right speedily. 

"Another thing of some moment to the 
taxpayers is the high prices paid some of 
our officials for their services, though it is 
rather a hard matter for outsiders to find out 
what services were rendered by said officials, 
as the accounts are so indefinite. Yet occa- 
sionally we do find out something that is par- 
ticularly definite. Here are four items of ac- 
count taken from the report of September 
13,1859: 

Copying assessment rolls $ 87.01 

Same, — rent, services and disbursemcuts 167.50 

" attendance on session of the board . ... 21.00 

" on com. to settle with sheriff 6.00 

Making an aggregate of $281. .51 

audited at one session of the board, being 
over one-sixth of the annual tax of the whole 
county for county purposes. Now as to 
these items, we are free to state we cannot 
see the justice of allowing the sum of $87 
for copying assessment rolls. A mere ordi- 
nary penman can do it easily in twelve 
days, and we have no doubt but plenty of 
individuals could be found that would do it 
by the job for $25, and make fair wages at 
that. Again we cannot see the justice of 
allowing our assessors but $1 per day for 
making the assessment — traveling through 
the storm and wading marshes to obtain it, 
and allowing a mere copyist from $7 to $12 
per day to sit in a comfortable office and use 
his pen. The third and fourth items are 
specific, and embody nearly or quite all the 
services of ' clerk of the board,' and we 
would like very much to know the character 
of the services mentioned in the second item, 
as well as the amount of rent, and a specific 
statement touching the disbursements therein 
mentioned. Was it for express charges on 
that splendid lot of hooks and stationery 
purchased in Chicago, with the price of 
those nice $5 gold pens reckoned in '\ The 
people who foot the bills are anxious to 
know about these little things, for thej' are 
large in the aggregate." 



138 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



CBOPS. 

The principal agricultural products of the 
county are the same to-day as in earl}' 
times, except that during later years flax 
has taken a more prominent place than 
formerly. The most important items are 
wheat, oats and corn, the first named being 
the great staple. The following figures will 
serve to show the yield of these products for 
several years in an early period in the 
county's history : 



YEAR. 


WHEAT. 


OATS. 


CORN. 




Bush's. 


Av. per 
acre. 

17.30 
13.04 
14.35 
18.21 
19.60 


Bush's. 


Av. per 
acre. 

39.87 
39.22 
38.08 
33.86 


Bush's. 


A\. per 
acre. 


1869 

1870 

1871 

1872 

1873 


3.59,293 
384,098 
3:«,.560 
.553,855 
750,000j 


236,833 
317,233 
193,638 
380,006 


70,479 
93,697 
143,34«i 
151,573 


37..52 
25.95 
34.90 
35.39 



During these years however, other grain 
crops — barley, rye and buckwheat — were 
cultivated to considerable extent. Potatoes 
and other root crops gave abundant yields. 

WHISKEY RUNNING IN THE GUTTER. 

In 1857 Sherwood & Squires traded some 
property which they owned for a stock of 
licfuors, intending to start a saloon. They 
had already hauled in one load of the stuff 
and, as their building was not ready to store 
it inside, it was stored in a little wooden 
building near the Winship House for the 
night. During the evening some of the 
village boys got together and decided to 
destroy the outfit. They crawled up to the 
barrels and bored holes through each cask, 
letting the liquor run out upon the ground. 
Quite a fuss was raised over the affair, but 
it finally blew over and none of the perpe- 
trators were ever discovered. A. IST. Stough- 
ton, who is still an honored resident of the 
city, was arrested at the instance of Squires, 
and taken before Squire Tiffany, of Havana. 
When the case was called it was demanded 
that Squires give bonds for tlie costs, which 
he was unable to do, and the matter was 
finally dropped. Mr. Stoughton, of course, 
had nothing to do with the matter, but the 



affair was quite an interesting joke to the 
old settlers. 

THE OLD VIGILANCE COMMITTEE. 

In August, 1857, a number of the citizens 
of Owatonna held a meeting and formed a 
vigilance committee, for the purpose of pre- 
serving peace, protecting property, pun- 
ishing offenders and cleaning out saloons. 
There were probably twenty or thirty in the 
organization. The first thing they proposed 
doing was to mob a certain saloon and 
throw out the liquors, but then the question 
arose, Who was to lead the van? Uncle Dave 
Lindersmith was the sheriff at that time ; so 
they went to him and proposed that he take 
charge of the campaign which they intended 
to inaugurate. He replied that he supposed 
he was an officer elected to preserve the 
peace and it did not comjjort with the dig- 
nity of his office to lead a mob upon a busi- 
ness which was carried on under the sanction 
of the law. However, he added, that if such 
a thing should occur at any specified time, 
he would be obliged to attend to business in 
a7iothei' part of the county while the cam- 
paign was going on. 

THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF STEELE. 

The following sketch of the early settle- 
ment of Steele County was published in A. 
T. Andreas' Historical Atlas of Minnesota 
(1874), and may be of interest for future ref- 
erence and preservation. There are sev- 
eral mistakes in the article, as will be 
noticed by the reader, but we present it 
verbatim : 

" Edward McCartney settled in the town 
of Deerfield in May, 1855. The first birth in 
the town was a daughter in the family of 
Mr. Hobaugh, and the first death that of 
Miss Austin. The first marriage took place 
on the 16th of June, 1859. Win. B. Evans 
and Miss Frederica C. Williams were the 
happy couple. The first school was taught 
by Miss Elizabeth Hodgson in the summer 
of 1857. 

" A. M. Fitzsiramons settled in the town of • 







{p^ /^ , ^fh^^i^^^e^/L^-i^.^^/^^cS ^ 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



141 



Meriden in June, 1855. The first birth was 
in the family of C. II. Wilker, in 1856. 

" The first marriage was that of W. F. 
Dunn to Miss Roxie Henshaw, which took 
place in September, 1856, at Mr. Austin 
Vinton's, Kev. H. Chapin performing the 
ceremon}'. In the absence of horses, the 
bridal part\' were conveyed in farm wagons 
drawn by oxen. The first death was that of 
Mr. Simmons, in 1858. Miss Leroy taught 
the first school in the summer of 1858. 

" Thomas Thomson made the first claim in 
the town of Somerset, in November, 1855. 
The following Ma}', three brothers, Levi, E. 
W. and Albert Bailey, and Mr. Savins came 
and built shanties. Others soon came, 
among whom were Dr. Thos. Kenyon, T. J. 
Clark, O. A. Barnes, Dexter Smith, E. 
Lagro, D. Barnes, O. Fisher, H. and J. Cat- 
lin, C. R. Knowlton, W. Fisher and J. E. 
Hughes. The first death was that of Mr. M. 
Case, in Juty, 1856. 

"Mi's. T. J. Clark gave birth to a daughter 
in the summer of 1856, which was the first 
child born in the town. The first marriage 
was that of Alexander Hissam to Miss 
Rachel Bill, in 1858. Miss Phebe Kenyon 
taught the first school. 

"Charles McCarty, Wm. Burns, Wm. Close 
and Robert Adair were the first to settle in 
the town of Havana, in 1855. George Den- 
nis, N. Parker and D. C. Tiffany came in the 
following j'ear. The first birth was a child in 
the family of Robert Adair, in 1855. The 
first death was that of Mrs. Newton Parker, 
in November, 1856, Rev. M. Wetzel officiat- 
ing. Miss Elizabeth McCaslin taught the 
first school in the summer of 1857, and in 
the following fall was married to Frank 
Ilickok, having the honor of being the first 
teacher and bride in the town. 

"In the springof 1856, Samuel Thompson, 
S. Keeney and E. Teed settled in the town 
of Lemond. Samuel M. Hastings came in 
the following summer. The first marriage 
was that of Daniel Tuscan to Miss Cornelia 
Davis, and tlie first birtli occurred in the 



family of Mr. Hughs. The first death was 
that of Mr. Wm. Manson, in 1860. The 
first school was taught in the winter of 
1858-9, by Stillman Kinney. 

" G. W. Knapp and family located in the 
town of Summit in June, 1856. Their first 
habitation was a tent, cooking and work 
generally being done in the open air. The 
first birth was in the family of Roswell 
Heath, in 1857, and the first marriage that 
of Benj. Wheeler and Miss Delia Fredin- 
burg, in December, 1858. 

" Col. J. Ball, A. B. Clark, G. W. Grimshaw 
and Charles Adsit, in June of 1856, made 
claims in the town of Aurora. Amos Coggs- 
well, S. A. Sargent, H. Eastman, Oscar King 
and Mr. Perham were the next to locate in 
the town. The first birth was in the family 
of Amos Coggswell, March 6, 1857, and the 
first marriage was that of Joseph Branning 
and Miss Laura Pettie. The first death was 
that of Steven A. Sargent, in 1856 ; Rev..H. 
Chapin conducted the funeral services. Miss 
Jane Arnold taught the first school. 

"In Jul}^ 1856, William Shea, C. V. Brown, 
Hiram Pitcher, Levi Chase, Thomas McCor- 
mick, Robert Rej'uolds, H. S. Howen, Enfin 
Enfinson, Joseph and D. T. Gordon, Marshall 
Warren and Mr. Winchell settled in the town 
of Berlin. ~ The first plowing was done by 
Levi Chase. The first birth was in the fam- 
ily of C. V. Brown. Mr. Joseph Gordon 
died in December, 1859, which was the first 
death in the town. The fii'st marriage was 
that of J. O. Culver and Miss Jane Gordon, in 
1857. The ceremony was performed by 
Hiram Pitcher, a justice of the peace. This 
being the first time the justice had performed 
the ceremony, he varied a little from the 
usual form, and the groom was made to 
promise to obey the bride, instead of the 
bride obeying the groom. D. T. Gordon 
taugjit the first school in the winter of 1857-8. 
C. W. Curtis and L. E. Thompson settled in 
the town of Merton in 1856 ; soon after 
Messrs. Magoon and Naylor came. The first 
death Avas that of a child of Oscar Searls. 



142 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



David Bagley, Thomas Bray, Levi Annis, J. 
J. Bracket and Ira Foster settled in Bloom- 
ing Prairie in 1857. The first birth was 
James Bray, son of Thomas Bray, in 1859. 
The first marriage was that of Ira Foster and 
a widow by the name of Scott, in 1800. Miss 
Hatty Layton taught the first school in 1861. 
"Blooming Prairie (formerly Oak Glen) was 
not organized until 1867, having been for- 
merly attached to the town of Aurora. Tlie 
organization of theotlier towns was eff'ected 
in 1858." 

STAGE BUSINESS. 

The following item appears in the issue of 
the Owatonna Plaindealer, September 22, 
1864: 

" Burbank & Co. have decided to put on the 
road between this place and Rochester, next 
Monday, two daily lines of stages each way, 
owing to the great increase of travel. Last 
Monday afternoon there were twenty-seven 
persons desii'ing passage east. Nineteen got 
on one coach and the rest hired a livery, but 
this is not an unusual occurrence. The com- 
pany have the best of accommodations on 
the road for the convenience of the traveling 
public." 

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE ABBOTTS. 

The Abbotts — Ezra and John H. — who 
took a prominent part in the early history of 
the town and county, were natives of New 
Hampshire. Ezra came west, first settling 
at Batavia, 111., in 1854, although for some 
time he had been living in Virginia. At 
Batavia he and his wife were engaged as 
teachers in an academy. John H. started 
west in May or June, 1855, and at Batavia, 
111., he joined his brother Ezra, and from 
there they came together first to St. Paul, 
which was then the territorial capital and by 
far the largest city in the territory, and a 
few days later to St. Anthony. They next 
visited a number of localities in search of a 
suitable site. Ezra had in view the location 
of a model stock farm, while John H., who 
had been largely engaged in railroad Avork, 



had in view a town site, where it would be 
possiljle to build a railroad center and a me- 
tropolis. After a time they visited Faribault 
and there learned of the Owatonna settlement 
and town-site. Faribault at that time was 
having quite a boom. J. W. North had al- 
ready located at the present site of North- 
field, and was making preparations for build- 
ing a city. There was onh^ one building on 
the site at that time, however, and the dam 
across the river was just being built. At 
Faribault they found a village of several 
hundred inhabitants, a mixture of French, 
Indians and Americans. Gen. Shields, after- 
ward United States senator, was then in the 
"big woods" starting his village — Shields- 
ville. Alex. Faribault, the old Indian trader, 
was the leading spirit of the settlement, sur- 
rounded b\^ his usual coterie of Indians, guns 
and dogs. Gen. Levi Nutting was also there, 
and had started to build a hotel. Many 
others were already engaged in building a 
city there, but those mentioned have become 
familiar names in Minnesota history. While 
in the vicinity of Faribault they ran across 
one of the Pettit families, and through that 
means were tlirected toward Steele County. 
On their way up the river they passed the 
sites of both Medford and Clinton Falls. At 
the first they saw Smith Johnson, who in- 
formed them of the brilliant prospect they 
had for building a town. At Clinton they 
saw Deacon Finch, who was plowing near 
the trail, and he explained to them how 
nature had planned Clinton for a metropolis, 
with its water power, abundance of stone, 
etc. 

Upon arriving at the site of Owatonna at 
about noon one day late in June or early in 
Jul}', 1855, they went to the little log cabin 
just north of where Mr. Albertus' present 
dwelling stands. They found here A. B. 
Cornell and wife, W. F. Pettit, Eev. Mr. 
Thomas, and several boardei's. After din- 
ner they looked over the table-land and 
town-site generally. Pettit's claim extended 
a mile east and west. Bridge street being at 



HISTOET OF STEELE COUNTY. 



143 



he south line of it. Cornell then " claimed " 
eighty acres south of this line, having sold 
some which he had held previously. Park 
& Smith also had a claim, and Addison 
Phelps held one still south of Cornell's. 
Mr. Morehouse was living in a cabin not far 
from the river, near the present site of the 
mill. John Deckering, agent for Judge 
Green, was living near Maple Creek. The 
judge had claimed four forties of land in 
sections 3, 4, 9 and 10, in what is now 
Owatonna Township. Obediah Gains, who 
with his son had claimed 320 acres of land, 
was here. This claim was directly east of 
tlie Pettit and Cornell claims. Elder Town 
was also here as the advance agent for a 
little colony, and was looking up claims. 
Charles Ellison was also among the settlers, 
having a claim two miles south of Owatonna, 
but was stopping at Cornell's. D. Linder- 
smith was living in a log cabin on the west 
side of the river. A man named Pi-esley 
was living ih the woods north of town. In 
addition to these there were a number of 
j-^oung men, who might more properly per- 
haps be termed transients. The only crop 
growing was some sod corn and water- 
melons which Pettit had ^^lanted. Pettit 
was anxious to go to Texas and wanted to 
sell, yet held his claim at quite a high figure 
— $1,300 or $1,400. There were scarcely 
any improvements, and in this condition 
this price seemed high ; yet there were 
many considerations which led them to 
finally accept the proposition, and as a mat- 
ter of interest it will not be out of place in 
this connection to refer briefly to them. 
Up to this time Ezra Abbott and his brother 
had been undecided where to locate. In a 
measure their objects were different, yet of 
course botli desired a location that had some 
promise for the future. 

During the winter of 1854-5 a charter had 
been obtained and organization effected of a 
company proposing the construction of a 
railroad from Winona westward to St. Peter. 
Tliis was called the "Transit." Movements 



were also already on foot, although very 
incomplete and indefinite, with a view to 
building a road from Minneapolis or St. 
Anthony south to Iowa. Owatonna seemed 
to be a natural crossing for these two lines. 
This was one important point in favor of the 
town. Another w'as its location, which was 
magnificent. But there were drawbacks. 
At that day to locate and attempt to build 
a town at a point where there was no hope 
of securing a county-seat was discouraging 
business. During the session of the territo- 
rial legislature, in the winter of 1854-5, 
Steele County had been created and set off 
from Rice County. It embraced twenty 
congressional townships — all of the present 
county of "Waseca and the two western tiers 
of Steele Countj^'s present townships. It 
will thus be seen that Owatonna was virtu- 
ally in the northeast corner of the county as 
then bounded. This, of course, must be 
changed or the county-seat would undoubt- 
edly be finally located farther west. How- 
ever, after looking over the ground 
thoroughly, the Abbotts decided to accept 
Pettit's offer, which they did, and thereupon 
became part owners of the town-site. John 
H. is still a resident of the city. Ezra lived 
there until the time of his death, which 
occurred on the 16th of August, 1876. Both 
took a prominent part in the early develop- 
ment of the city, and their names must 
always be indissolubly connected with the 
early history of the county. 

KEMINISOENCE AND BIOGRAPHY. 

By Rev. William Tlwmson. 

I was born at Taneytown, Frederick (now 
Carroll) County, Md., on the twenty -ninth day 
of April, 1812. At the age of about sixteen 
3'ears I went to the city of New York to 
learn the trade of house-building with my 
uncle, Samuel Thomson, who was at that 
time a master-builder. I served an appren- 
ticeship of over five years at that business, 
and became a fair mechanic in that line, at 
the same time acquiring a knowledge of 



144 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



architectural drawing, etc. In the meantime 
I .was converted and felt a strong desire to 
become a minister of the gospel, but circum- 
stances not being favorable to such a course 
of preparation as was necessary at that time, 
I deferred that work until later in life. 

I served my apprenticeship faithfully and 
when becommg twenty-one years of age I 
left New York and returned to my native 
town in Maryland, and on the nineteenth day 
of June, 1834, was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary E. Peck. Subsequently I took a 
private course of theological studies under 
the supervision of Kev. William Adams 
"Wadsworth, a Lutheran minister, at Canton, 
Stark County, Ohio. After completing my 
course of study, made application to the East 
Oliio Evangelical Lutheran Synod for exam- 
ination, was examined before open synod, 
and admitted as a candidate for ordination, 
and at a subsequent meeting of the same 
body, held at Bethlehem, Ohio, I was 
solemnly ordained by laying on the hands of 
the presbytery. On the seventh day of Octo- 
ber, 1845, after being set apart to the duties 
of the active ministry of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church, I served congregations in 
Stark and Columbiana counties, in Ohio, 
then at Eostraver, Pa. ; retured to Ohio in 
the spring of 1846 and served four congre- 
gations for ten consecutive years. 

About April 1, 1855, in company with a 
portion of my Ohio charge, and my family 
consisting of myself and wife and Joseph 
Hugh, Mary E., Hamilton K., Luther M., 
Cornelia Jane and Louiza Ellen, we took 
steamboat at Wellsville, Ohio, for the then 
territory of Minnesota. After a tedious 
journey of about sixteen days we landed at 
Hastings at midnight, several of our number 
being very sick. I can never forget our first 
night's experience in Minnesota. We were 
hurriedly set ashore on the bare ground, but 
by ])lacing some bedding and arranging our 
pack-boxes around, formed a temporary shel- 
ter by placing four of our number, one at 
each corner, to hold a bed-quilt over the sick 



to keep off the falling rain. And so we stood 
for about one hour trying to get the hotel- 
keeper to take us in, but as he was not will- 
ing to receive our sick we resolved to spend 
the night in watching them. Whilst we 
were thus engaged a Mr. Baily, who kept 
a kind of variety store (the only one in the 
village), came to us and spoke kindly, and 
offered us the free use of his building, telling 
us to make ourselves as comfortable as we 
could. We gladly carried our sick into his 
store-room, and there, on that sad night, and 
on the floor of Mr. Baily's store, Miss Lucetta 
Jane Barrick died in about one hour after 
she was taken in ; her sister, Mrs. James An- 
derson, died in a few days after, and both 
were buried side by side near the then vd- 
lage, now city, of Hastings, and my first 
ministerial services in Minnesota were to jier- 
form the funeral obsequies of those two 
members of my Ohio congregation. 

Leaving my wife in charge of four very 
sickchildren, incorapan}' with Mr. Anderson, 
I started for the interior of this to us new 
country, settled first near Cannon City in 
Rice County, remaining there only one year 
for various reasons. Myself, William N. 
Breidenstien (a son-in-law), my eldest son, 
Joseph, and Mr. Elias Hahn, in the early 
part of April, 1856, made a journej' on foot, 
seeking a better locality'. Our objective 
point was Wilton, in Waseca County. 
Crossing Straight Eiver at Faribault we 
followed the course of said stream on both 
sides, crossing twice after leaving Faribault ; 
we reached Owatonna sometime in the month 
of AprU. Crossing Maple Creek we ap- 
pi-oached the village on the east side. On 
the hill we found a man, whose name I have 
forgotten, who kept a small store ; we inquired 
for "Owatonna." "Why," said he, "this is 
it." " Is this all of it f we asked. " Oh, no," 
said he, " over the hill there you will find the 
rest of it." So on we went, and found the 
rest of " Owatonna," consisting of a few 
houses scattered over a most beautiful site 
for a town. Winship House had just been 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



I.t5 



built, then a log hotel a little down the river, 
kept by a Mr. Sanborn, a schoolhouse, a 
smith-shop, and one or two small stores, 
was about all of Owatonna at that time. 
We crossed Straight River on a farm wagon 
driven by Mr. Thomas Meek. The banks 
were overflowed so as to cover the very poor 
basswood bridge, but Mr. Meek was well 
acquainted with the bearings, and so con- 
veyed us safely over. "We stopped that night 
with Mr. David Lindersmith, who subse- 
quently informed me of the southeast quarter 
section 20, town 107, range 20. I moved 
with my family onto this claim early in May, 
1856, and have resided on it ever since, with 
the exception of two years' residence in the 
city of Minneapolis, having rented the farm 
to my son-in-law, G. B. White. To return 
to our trip to Waseca County, I will state 
that we looked the country over carefullj', 
passing over some beautiful prairie land. 
At last we reached Le Seur River at the 
fording. Seeing a man on the opposite side 
with an ox-team we called to him, and he 
kindly drove across and took us to the other 
side. We remember the gentleman's name 
was John Kelly. We asked for the town. 
" Right here," said Mr. Kelly. He conducted 
us to a log house just being built, where we 
meti Mr. A. B. Cornell, of Owatonna, hewing 
logs to build a house. He said " Wilton was 
to beat Owatonna." We couldn't see it in 
that light. As it was drawing towards night 
and no houses in view we inquired for lodg- 
ing. " Just follow me," said Mr. Kelly, " and I 
will take you to the ' Central Hotel.' " Ac- 
cordingly we obeyed orders, and taking us 
down the slope to the front of the " Central," 
we found a rude structure composed partly 
of pine boards, set perpendicularly, nailed to 
a pole laid over the entrance, to a kind of 
cave in the hill, probably 15x20 feet. The 
host, a Mr. Jenkins, treated us kindly, and 
his charges were quite moderate. We then 
took leave of our kind liost and his excellent 
wife, and took a good look at the surround- 
ing country. It was a grand sight. As far 



as eye could see it was one vast ocean of 
waving grass, not green, but having passed 
the winter, it was changed to a beautiful 
brown, showing that it must be a very good 
grazing ground for the large herds of fine 
cattle that were being daily driven into this 
beautiful land, which had lain so many cen- 
turies only as a hunting ground for the 
aborigines, or a pasturage for the buffalo 
and other wild animals. 

Subsequent circumstances proved that Mr. 
Cornell was entirely wrong in his estimate 
of the future greatness of the contemplated 
" City of Wilton." Thus after looking all over 
the country in and around Wilton, we felt a 
desire to return by the way we came, to the 
then village of Owatonna, and eventually all 
settled as near as we could to the jjromising 
city of Owatonna, Mr. Hahn claiming in 
the town of Somerset, and Breidenstein on 
Straight River, cornering with me on the 
section line. Mr. Hahn still resides on his 
land on Turtle Creek, about five miles from 
Owatonna. Breidenstein lives with his fam- 
ily near Boice Citj', I. Ter., thus, instead of 
being near each other, as we intended, we 
are scattered far and wide. Having traded 
my pre-emption right in Rice County, we 
-went to work in good earnest on the new 
claim ; of course much of my own time was 
occupied in my ministerial duties, and not be- 
ing a practical farmer, and being entirely igno- 
rant of the mode of farming in this climate, 
we labored under great disadvantages in 
many respects ; nevertheless, the second sea- 
son we put out some tw^enty-five acres of 
wheat, corn and rye ; crops looked quite 
promising- until within a few days of har- 
vesting, when suddenly a terrible hail-storm 
destroyed all our hopes, and a general panic 
ensued ; many left for other parts, but a few 
remained and by mutual sympathy and kind- 
ness, no one starved to death. But those 
were the dark days in the life of early pio- 
neers of this country, when 

"Men looked in each other's eyes. 
To read their chance of death or life." 



146 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



It would perhaps be too tedious and 
uninteresting to recount many of the ex- 
periences through which we have passed ; 
I will only give two of the most im- 
portant of my personal adventures. In 
the fall of 1857, I started one day for my 
appointment at East PrairieviUe, and as I 
had several times noticed a road at tlie cross- 
ing of a small creek a short distance below 
Medford, diverging a very little to the left, run- 
ning as I thought very nearly parallel with the 
road I had before taken, and thinking it 
would lead me out to the open prairie, a 
little lower down the river, and bring me 
nearer to a point I wished to reach, I pur- 
sued it but a short distance Avhen I found it 
to bear too much to the left. I then con- 
cluded to cross the V, formed by the two 
roads ; after walking for a long time I came 
to a small stream emanating from a spring. 
I stooped down and took a drink; on 
rising again, I lost my bearings, and in at- 
tempting to make a straiglit line from the 
spring, I only circled round to the same 
place; this I did the third time. I then found 
a line of blazed trees made by the surveyors 
and by watching those marks, I found my 
way out to the road I was in search of. For- 
tunately I found a Mr. Close in his winter 
quarters, and as it was then about 10 o'clock 
at night, he very kindlj' gave me my supper 
and lodging, and on the morrow I reached 
my destination in good time. At another 
time I left home in a snow-storm, and in try- 
ing to make my way to a Mr. Coperth waits', 
where I intended to stay over night, night 
overtook me, and having neither roads nor 
fences to guide me, and a fearful snow-storm 
in full force, I missed my way and went too 
far eastward. I took, as I thought a straight 
course to the gentleman's house, and after 
walking for about two hours, I came to a de- 
serted claim shanty, but there was neither 
door nor window, and tiie snow had drifted m 
and filled it nearly full ; I had matches, but 
no fuel of an}' kind, so I could not build 
a fire. I now fully realized my perilous con- 



dition ; I was really lost. To anyone who 
has not had the same experience, words fail 
to give an adequate idea of the sensation ; I 
never had the same routine to go through, 
that I had in the timber, to-wit : I made 
three tangents to get to the same forlorn 
shanty ; finally' I took great care to keep the 
wind directly on my back, and by that 
means got away from the shanty I had vis- 
ited so often. 

I was perfectlj'calra, and deliberatel}' con- 
cluded that in order to keep from freezing 
I would be compelled to continue walking 
slowly until dayhght should reveal my 
whereabouts, for I had not the least idea of 
the points of the comjiass. After about two 
hours' walking, fortunately I saw a stovepipe 
from which smoke was wafting upward. I 
hastened up and was very kindly entertained 
by the gentleman of the house, whose name 
I have forgotten; next morning — Sunday 

— found me just six miles too far east, but 
after a good breakfast, without charge, I 
made my way to Cannon City in good time. 
It must be remembered that at this time I 
had no horse and was compelled to travel 
on foot, preaching at the following points : 
Cannon City, East PrairieviUe, Brush Creek, 

— occasionally Faribault and Morristown. 
I met the above appointments generally 
promptly and in good time. The Home Mis- 
sionary Society gave me the first year $100 
and from the other sources I received in 
all about $60 ; organized the first English 
Lutheran congregation (that I knew of at 
the time) in the house of Hon. J. C. Ide, at 
East PrairieviUe, in the month of June, 1855. 
I believe I preached the first funeral sermon 
in the Ide settlement at the house of a Mr. 
Pratt, it being on the death of a lady in 
some way related to Mr. Pratt. A Meth- 
odist minister, a young man whose name I 
forget, was present at the funeral service, 
but did not make himself known until after 
the services closed. I believe I was the first 
Lutlieran minister ofiiciating in the English 
language exclusively, in the Territory of 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



147 



Minnesota. If there were any other I never 
heard of him. Through the courtesy of Coh 
Ida, who was a visitor to the territorial 
legislature in 1855, I had my credentials 
filed in the office of a Mr. Noah, at Mendota, 
and afterwards at Owatonna. My creden- 
tials were filed on page 1 of credentials, so I 
must have been among the first in that line. 
Hoping to be excused for this digression to 
Rice County, I will now proceed more particu- 
larly to call up facts and incidents that have 
occurred since our settlement at Owatonna. 
By disposing of my preemption right in 
Rice County I received in exchange an ox- 
team, farm wagon, one cow and calf and $75 
in cash. With this outfit we took possession 
of the southeast quarter, section 20, town 
107, range 20. There were no improvements 
on the claim, so we erected what in that day 
was called a claim-shanty. As this term is 
generally understood I need not particularize. 
We occupied it comfortably, under the cir- 
cumstances, and enjoyed good health and 
spirits for two or three years, until we were 
able to put up a frame house, which sub- 
sequently was destroyed by fire. 

My congregation at Prairieville became 
quite discouraged by the intense cold of the 
winter of 1855-6, and left for other jiarts. 
I had no nucleus foi- a Lutheran Church in 
Owatonna, but by invitation of the Con- 
gregational, Presbyterian and Methodist 
churches, I preached frequently for each of 
them, mostly, however, in Mr. A. N. Stough- 
ton's hall, where in the absence of their pas- 
tor. Rev. Thomas, by request, I admitted 
several members to their church and admin- 
istered the holy communion. Tiie East Ohio 
Synod, to which I belonged, always has been 
in favor of Christian union, consequently im- 
bibing this principle of unity from the s3'nod 
to which I belonged, I have had no difficulty 
in fraternizing with all orthodox denomi- 
nations of Christians, so far as they would 
permit me to worship God with them ; have* 
always been treated kindly and frequently 
preached for all of them. Eeing without a 



regular charge, my ministerial labors have 
been those of a traveling missionarj^ and in 
this capacity I visited and preached at the 
following places with more or less regularity 
from 1858 to the present time, 1887 : Cannon 
City, East Prairieville, Faribault, Brush 
Creek, Morristown, Kenney's hall and school- 
house. Dodge City, Norway, Dodge County ; 
Eyota, Olmstead County ; Washington, Fill- 
more County ; Dorrance's and Beardsley's, 
Rice County ; Berlin, Hastings' schoolhouse, 
and Fitzsimmon's schoolhouse, also at Ha- 
vana and Tiffany's schoolhouse ; meantime I 
preached several funeral sei-mons. In the 
spring of 1858 or 1859 a family by the name 
of Simmons came from Wisconsin and 
bought a claim of a Mr. Woods, and whilst 
temporarily located with Mr. Hiram Green- 
wood, making preparations to build a house 
on his land, he and his wife were killed by 
one stroke of lightning. I preached a short 
funeral sermon at the house, after which 
they were buried in one grave on the claim 
he had just purchased. The ensuing spring 
a Mr. Clinton Simons, a few miles west of 
us, was also killed by lighting, and I was 
called upon to preach his funeral sermon. 
Since the country has been broken and cul- 
tivated, there have been but few deaths by 
lightning. A Mr. Munson, I believe, was 
the first person to die in the town of Lemond. 
I also preached his funeral sermon. Our 
first school was taught in a slab shanty by 
Miss Emaline Hall, with about twenty-five 
scholars. We now have a very good frame 
schooll:ouse, at present taught by Miss 
Stowers, but by removal of several families 
of children out of the district, there is but 
an average attendance of about fifteen. On 
the 7th of September, 1858, our twin sons — 
Ezra and Samuel — were born. I am not 
certain, but think they were the first pair of 
twins born in the township. We have had 
three very severe and destructive hail-storms, 
but at the same time have lived and enjoyed 
good health. Owatonna has grown from a 
village to a very thriving inland city, of 



148 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



probably four tiiousand inhabitants, having 
two banks of issue, many very good dwell- 
ing houses, quite a number of dr}' goods 
stores, groceries, several hotels, also two or 
three drug stores, and alas, that we must 
state it to the shame and disgrace of our 
otherwise pleasant city, twelve liquor saloons, 
at a license of $500. There are to counter- 
balance these several Christian churches, as 
the Catholic, Congregational, Presbyterian, 
Methodist Episcopal, English and German, 
one Lutheran exclusively German, St. Paul's 
Episcopal and one Baptist. I am now in my 



seventy-sixth year, and preach every two 
weeks at Eyota, Olmstead County, Minn. 
My famil}" at present consists of myself, wife 
and our twin sons. We are better than ever 
satisfied and pleased with Minnesota. We 
have had but one death in the family for 
over thirty years — an aged aunt to my wife 
who died in her ninetj'-first year, and now 
lies in our Oakwood Cemetery in peace. We 
are contented and happy, and will not leave 
our present abode until a higher power calls 
us hence to a better land beyond the river. 
WiLLiAJi Thomson. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



IIISTOEICAL EVENTS CHRONOLOGICALLY AREANGED. 





'E have here grouped together 
all the statements, events of im- 
portance, deaths of prominent 
persons, accidents, or crimes, 
which would be of interest, 
commencing with 1853, and 
closing with June, 1887, when 
this manuscript went to press. 
it is not to be expected that this 
chapter includes ever3'thing of 
interest which has occurred during 
the years named, as many of the 
most important events receive 
attention in other chapters ; but 
it embraces hundreds of interest- 
ing items which could not properly be placed 
in other departments. 

Prior to 1874, the fact that the tiles of 
county papers have not been preserved, 
leaves Steele County without reliable rec- 
ords of local happenings, therefore the 
events given for those years are mainly 
based upon the statements of the old settlers. 
1853. 
The first settlement, within the limits now 
comprising Steele County, was effected dar- 



ing the summer of this year, in Medford 
Township. 

The first cabin in the county was erected 
by A. L. Wright and Chauncey Lull. 

1854. 
During the summer, the first settlement 
on the present site of Owatonna City was 
effected by A. B. Cornell and William F. 
Pettit. The first building on the site of the 
city was erected this year. 

1855. 

Steele County was created by the territo- 
rial legislature on the 20th of February. 

August 1, the organization of the county 
was effected, and the board of county com- 
missioners, appointed by Gov. Gorman, held 
their first meeting. 

October 9, the first election was held. It 
was for State officers, with but one excep- 
tion. W. F. Pettit was elected sheriff. He 
was the first county officer elected. 

1856. 
The first election for county officers oc- 
curred in October, when a full set was 
chosen. 



HISTORY f)F fiTEEI.K COUNTY. 



149 



In July, the Watchman, and Register, the 
first newspaper in Steele County, was estab- 
lished at Owatonna, by J. H. Abbott and 
A. B. Cornell. 

April 1, the county was in debt $29. 

The winter of 1856-7 was a very severe 
one. Snow was very deep and a crust be- 
tween one and two inches in thickness formed 
upon it, which made travel almost impos- 
sible, as it would scarcely hold a man. A 
horse would break through and cut his limbs, 
so that, except on the well-broken roads, 
which were very few, travel was completely 
blocked. Deer were plenty that winter, but 
were nearly all killed off before the spring 
thaw came. On account of the snow they 
could be overtaken easily, and hundreds were 
slaughtered with clubs. 

1857. 

A severe hail-storm passed through the 
county in the latter part of July, which was 
very destructive to crops. Hailstones of 
"fabulous size" fell. It is stated that they 
made indentations in the earth which could 
be noticed for three or four years afterward. 
It was during this storm that hailstones 
broke right through the roof of a hotel in 
Mantorville, Dodge County. 

On the 27th of February, Waseca County 
was taken from Steele County; a tier of 
townships had previously been detached 
from Dodge and annexed to Steele, leaving 
the boundaries of the county as they are 
to-day. 

This was the year of the great financial 
panic. The following year its effect was felt 
here ; yet it did not affect times in Steele 
County very much. As one old settler ex- 
presses it : " Times were already as hard as 
they could be made." 

1858. 

During the summer the hail cut the grain 
badly in Steele County, and seed wheat 
brought over $1 per bushel in Owatonna. 

This year was known as "Johnny-cake 
year" in Steele County. Scarcely any pro- 



visions were in the country, and nobody was 
able to buy, anyway. Most of the settlers 
lived upon corn bread ; many were reduced 
to bran bread, while not a few got along on 
bare potatoes without salt or meat. 

January 6, the county was in debt 
$2,129.69. 

During this year the system of county 
government was changed. The board of 
county commissioners was abolished and a 
board of supervisors was created to succeed 
it. The board of supervisors was composed 
of one member from each organized town- 
ship in the county. 

1859. 

Prices were very low this year. Wheat 
was hauled to Hastings and Red Wing, and 
there only brought thirty-five and forty cents 
per bushel part of the year. The money was 
of such character, everyone exacted gold and 
silver. Paper money was worthless, as so 
many of the banks which were authorized to 
issue a circulating medium had failed. These 
were the days of " wild-cat currency." 

The system of county government was 
again changed this yeai", reverting power to 
the board of county commissioners. 

A good crop of wheat was raised this year, 
the average yield per acre being as high 
as any ever produced in the history of 
the county. It is tliought that wheat aver- 
aged at least twenty-five bushels per acre 
throughout all this portion of the State. 

1860. 

The United States census taken this year, 
gave Steele County a population of 2,863. 
Of this number 2,256 were native born 
Americans ; and 607 were of foreign birth. 

At the presidential election this year, 688 
votes were polled, divided among political 
parties as follows : 523 for Abraham Lincoln, 
Republican ; 157 for Stephen A. Douglas, 
Democrat; and 8 for J. C. Breckinridge, 
Democrat. 

Another good crop was raised this year 
with an increased acreage under cultivation. 



150 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



In the fall of 1860 an agricultural society 
was organized with a membership of about 
forty, and a count}^ fair was held. 

1861. 

April 12, Fort Sumter. S. C. was bom- 
barded by Gen. Beauregard, and the "War of 
the Rebellion began. Its effect was soon 
felt in Steele Countj'^ and enlistments began 
almost immediately. 

Prices grew better with tiiis year and 
toward fall, wheat was bringing a good price. 

Crops were good all through the war, 
but the difficult}' was in taking care of them, 
owing to the absence of a great majority of 
the male iniuxbitants. This was the case in 
1863 and 1864, particularly. 

1862. 

A great many of the able-bodied residents 
of Steele Count}'^ enlisted during this year, 
and went South for service. 

Prices continued to grow better and in 
fact continued to advance while the war 
lasted, although in Steele County a very 
light acreage was cultivated. 

1863. 

The war for the Union was still in prog- 
ress. It is said that the settlement and 
development of Steele County was entirely 
at a standstill. The county was half de- 
populated. 

1864. 

This was another presidential election 
year. Eight hundred and forty-five was 
the total number of votes jjoiled in Steele 
County. Abraham Lincoln, Republican, re- 
ceived 636, and Geo. B. McClellan, Demo- 
crat, received 209. 

1865. 

April 9, Gen. Lee, the Confederate, sur- 
rendered to Gen. Grant at Appomatox 
Court House, Va., virtual h' the closing act 
of the war. 

April 14, Abraham Lincoln, President of 
the United States, was assassinated. 



1866. 

This 3'ear marked a new era in Steele 
Count^^'s history. Two hues of railway 
were completed, and trains were running 
into Owatonna in August. 

New settlers began to arrive, and Owa- 
tonna grew wonderfully. 

The water was very high in Straight 
River this year, and overflowed considera- 
ble land in the vicinity of Owatonna. 

1867. 

The settlement of the county was largely 
increased during this and the few years 
immediately following. 

In Mitchell's Statistical History of Steele 
County, the following crop statement ap- 
pears : " The j'ear 1867, though considered 
by all as one of the poorest seasons ever 
known in Minnesota, marked the jiroducts 
of the soil in Steele County as follows: 
Wheat, average yield per acre, 15-|- bushels ; 
oats, 34 bushels ; corn, 38 bushels ; potatoes, 
110 bushels." 

1868. 

Another presidential election. There 
were 1,640 votes polled in Steele County 
for the various electors. U. S. Grant, 
Republican, received 1,137; and Horatio 
Seymour, Democrat, 503. 

1869. 

During this year the board of county 
commissioners was increased from three to 
five members. 

Crops raised this year were as follows : 

Wheat, 359,293 bushels, averaging 17.30 

bushels per acre ; oats, 236,833 bushels, 

averaging 39.87 bushels per acre; corn, 

70,479 bushels, averaging 27.52 bushels per 

acre. 

1870. 

The United States census was again taken 
this j'ear. It gave Steele County a total 
population of 8,271; of which number 6,088 
were American born, and 2,183 were of for- 
eign birth. 

Crop yield : Wheat, 284,098 bushels,— 



HISTORY OF STEELE CODNTY. 



151 



average, 13.04 bushels per acre ; oats, 217,223 
bushels, — average, 29.22 per acre ; corn, 93,- 
697 bushels, — average, 25.95 bushels per acre. 

1871. 
During this year there were 335,560 bush- 
els of wheat raised in the county — an aver- 
age of 14.25 bushels per acre ; 192,638 bushels 
of oats were threshed — an average of 28.08 
bushels per acre; 143,346 bushels of corn 
were gathered — 34.90 bushels per acre. 

1872. 

The presidential election occurred again 
this year. There were 1,660 votes polled in 
Steele County for presidential electors, of 
which number 1,033 were for U. S. Grant, 
Republican ; and 627 for Horace Greele}', 
Democrat and Liberal Eepublican. 

Stock raising and dairying had already 
begun to receive considerable attention in 
Steele County. The number of pounds 
of butter produced in 1872 was 275,024, 
and of cheese 138,479, the latter being at 
that time nearly three times that of any 
other count}^ in the State. There were then 
no less than six cheese factories in successful 
operation in the county. 

The crop j'ield this year was as follows : 
"Wheat, 552,855 bushels, average 18.21 bushels 
per acre; oats, 280,006 bushels, average 33.86 
per acre; corn, 151,573 bushels, average 35.39 
per acre. 

1873. 

During this year another great financial 
panic occurred. Property values decreased 
to almost nothing. Money became very 
scarce and times extremely hard. 

The estimated population of Steele County 
taking the number of school children as a 
basis was 9,171. 

The school statistics for that 3'ear were as 
follows : Number of districts in the county, 
70 ; total expenditure for building, teachers' 
wages, etc., was $^21,081.43 ; number of 
schoolhouses, 70 ; value, $45,321. Of the 
$21,081.43 expended, $12,595.78 was paid to 
teachers. 



During this year there were 750,000 bush- 
els of wheat raised in Steele County — an 
average of 19.60 bushels per acre.* • 

1874. 

The following item appears in the first is- 
sue of the Peoples Press, September 2, 1874 : 
"J. W. Morford, Esq., informs us that he 
raised on his farm, near the city, from sixt}'- 
one acres, 1,700 bushels of the best wheat. 
Who can beat it 'i " 

Dr. Morehouse at that time was erecting 
his opera house, of which the Press, in the 
same issue, said : " The public hall of Dr. 
Morehouse in this city, now in course of con- 
struction, will be one of which our citizens 
have good reason to be proud. It is large, 
extending from Bridge to Main street." 

In the fli'st issue of the People^s Press, 
September 2, 1874, is found a lengthy account 
of a people's convention — or as it is entitled, 
The Democratic, Liberal Eepublican County 
Convention — held to nominate candidates 
for the various county offices. The follow- 
ing are the names of the gentlemen who par- 
ticipated in the proceedings, as it may be of 
interest to refer to in coming years : Hon. 
H. H. Johnson was elected chairman and 
R. M. Drake, secretary. Delegates were ap- 
pointed to attend the congressional conven- 
tion and were instructed to use every honor- 
able means to secure the nomination of Amos. 
Coggswell. The following is a list of the 
delegates who attended the county conven- 
tion : Merton — Dexter Lane, T. J. Conlin, 
M. A. McAndrews and E. Smith ; Medford 
— D. C. Hunkins, N. Parker, E. M. Drake, 
S. Freeman and John Karney ; Aurora — 
Oscar King, Phenix Meyers, E. Stapleton, 
Amos Coggswell, Eeuben Austin and Peter 
McCrady ; Lemond — H. M. Hastings, Hugh 
Murray, Gill Eussell and William Gamble ; 
Owatonna City — H. H. Johnson, G. H. Cole, 



♦From 1873 until this MSS. went to press we havehad news- 
paper files to refer to, so that we are able to give a more de- 
tailed account of the matters and events transpiring. We isive 
all items that may be of interest, referring to the tiles of the 
Paiitle's Pi-ess and the Journal and Herald as authority for all 
statements.— Editor. 



152 



HISTORY OF STEELE OODNTY. 



J. "W. Morford, James Patch, Julius Young, 
George B. Hall, S. M. Hastings, J. B. Soper, 
J. W. Hall, P. Brennen, E. W. Johnson, L. 
Bion, G. F. Albertus, M. A. Dailey, Howard 
Johnson, J. Oppliger, M. L. Deviny, E. Burk, 
H. W. Pratt, Herman Smith, Gilbert Potter, 
E. Tilden and Timothy Hennessy ; Havana 
— J. S. Cass, Andrew Cass, James Cotter and 
J. S. Austin. A few weeks later the follow- 
ing ticket was put into the field : County 
auditor, J. P. Jackson ; register of deeds, M. 
A. Dailey ; probate judge, James Cotter ; 
count}' attorney, Amos Coggswell; county 
commissioners, A. B. Clark and Geo. O. Han- 
kerson ; representatives, L. H. Lane and 
Hugh Murray. 

The Republican county convention for 
1874 was held at Owatonna on October 10. 
Geo. W. Green, of Clinton Falls, was elected 
chairman and C. C. Cornell, secretary. The 
list of delegates has not been preserved in 
the newspaper files from which this report is 
taken. Among those present, however, were 
Geo. W. Green, C. C. Cornell, E. Dart, H. 
EuUiffson, W. W. Wilkins, Moses Norton, T. 
H. Kelley, L. Mucky and W. Sherman. W. 
E. Kinyon, of Owatonna, was nominated for 
representative. The following county ticket 
was placed in nomination : L. S. Padgham, 
auditor ; E. A. Tyler, register of deeds ; L. L. 
"Wheelock, probate judge; J. M. Burlingame, 
■ county attorney. 

The People's Press, on the 9th of Septem- 
ber, 1874, contained the following item: 
" Of the many things worthy of comment is 
the enterprise shown by Messrs. Chambers 
and Mitchell in the erection of the fine build- 
ing that occupies the corner of Cedar and 
Vine streets. It is an honor to Owatonna, and 
speaks highly for some of its business men." 

" Three fights have of late enlivened the 
usual quiet of our city. No lives lost." — 
Press, September 3, 187 If.. 

Speaking of the condition of business in 
Owatonna, the same issue of the Press con- 
tains the following : " One of the surest in- 
dications of business is to see every house 



and storeroom in a town occupied. Conced- 
ing such to be the truth, we freely admit that 
Owatonna is equal to any city of like size in 
the State. Vacant rooms are scarcer than 
divines who support Theodore Tilton." 

Under the head of " Our Debut," the 
Press further says, in speaking of the ad- 
vantages here found : ""We consider the lit- 
erary field in which we are about to labor as 
extensive and as fertile as any in Minnesota. 
We beheve Owatonna is destined, enjoying 
as it does excellent railway communication, 
situated in the midst of the most fertile 
country in the world, and containing only 
one weekly newspaper and more than 3,500 
inhabitants, to offer an excellent opportunity 
for the establishment of a lively journal." 

MARKET REPORT, SEPTEJfBER 9, 1874. 

Wheat per bu. $0 75 

Oats " 40 

Corn in ear " 50 

Potatoes " 50 

Onions " 75 

Tomatoes " 1.00 

Beef Steali per tb. 10 to 13 

Pork •■ •• 10 

Mutton Chops " 13 

Butter " 30 to 30 

Chickens each 35 

Eggs per doz. 13 

" The names of the teachers in the public 
schools of Owatonna are as follows : Super- 
intendent, C. W. Hall ; high school, Miss 
Henrietta FeUows; teachers, Miss A. M. 
Hathaway, A. A. Crandall, Miss M. E. Bear, 
Miss L. Prindle, Julia A. Clark, Ida G. War- 
ren, Mar\' E. Blood and Mary E. Mellen." — 
People^ s Press, Septe7)iber 9, 187 J/-. 

" Never in the history of Steele County 
have our farmers been so far advanced at 
the season of their plowing as now." — 
Press, Octuher U, 187 1^. 

In October Eric Ericson was found dead 
about four miles south of Owatonna. He 
had left town at about 4 o'clock in the 
afternoon for home. The wagon-box was 
found upset and he lying dead on his face. 
It was supposed his cattle (lie was driving 
oxen) had run away with him. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



153 



October 30, a Jiremau uaiuedMaitiii Upper 
fell from the engine on a "Winona & St. Peter 
Railroad express train into a bridge about 
one mile west of Owatonna. Having been 
missed, the train was stopped and he was 
found hanging on to the bridge ties. He 
was terribly bruised, but recovered. 

The issue of the People^ s Press, November 
4, contains the following "Lost Notice": 
" Lost — A pocket-book containing a one-cent 
stamp. Value of the pocket-book, five cents. 
Anyone returning the same will be suitably 
rewarded. — Fi'ed Woodward.''^ 

In December, 1874, the freight rates from 
Chicago to Owatonna, per hundred pounds, 
were as follows : 1st class, $1.10 ; 2d class, 
$1.00 ; 3d class, 75c.; 4th class, 55c. 

During the latter part of 1874 and the 
year 1875, the citizens were treated to an 
old-fashioned newspaper war. The writers 
on both sides were able men, and they cut 
and slashed with their pens, shedding oceans 
of ink. A few samples of the courtesies ex- 
changed are here given for the amusement 
of the reader : 

The Journal of January 13, remarked: 
" The Bridge street sheet is the Despatch, 
and nothing else. To be sure, one side is 
dated here and besmeared with blackness, 
but it is of no interest to anybody, and is a 
disgrace to a city like this." 

On January 20 the Peoples Press retorts : 
" The fact is, the Press gives eight columns 
more reading matter, weeldy, than the 
Snorter, and as the Snorter has had a mo- 
nopoly of the printing, and oppressed and 
slandered the people for so long, it thinks 
it has a perfect right to do it. Besides, it 
has two pages, at least, which the people 
can read with no difficulty, which is better 
than to have four pages, as the Snorter has, 
that look like a hog which has just crawled 
out of a mud puddle." 

In another column one of the papers state 
that they are in one respect like 

" The mule that stood on the steamboat deck, 
The land he would not tread, 



When a very small man, exceedingly frail, 
Attempted to give it a gentle twist of the tail. 
When, to the bystanders' very great amaze, 
He flew, as a hurricane, before their gaze. 
Into the foamy waves." 

1875. 

Late in February, the schoolhouse in dis- 
trict No. 51, Summit Township, was burned 
to the ground. In speaking of the matter, 
one of the local papers stated " that the 
ashes of an armful of burned hay was found 
among the debris, and it is supposed to have 
been set afire. An unsuccessful attempt 
was made some time ago to divide the dis- 
trict, and it is supposed some of the unsuc- 
cessful ones took this manner of revenge." 
A number of school books and the school 
furniture were destroyed. No insurance. 

In the issue of the Press, March 17, there 
appeared the following article : " I came to 
Owatonna a few days ago on business, and 
was obliged to stay a day or two on account 
of the irregularity of the trains. At the sta- 
tion I met a pretended friend, who robbed 
me of a part of the contents of my pocket- 
book. In the evening I was met by an offi- 
cer and ill-used and joked about having a 
place to keep me securely all night. I give 
said officer notice that the next time he will 
know what he meets me for. — T. Farley, of 
Milwaukee." 

Early in the spring of 1875, it was dis- 
covered that the springs northeast of Owa- 
tonna possessed medicinal qualities, and a 
reporter for the Chicago Times visited them 
for investigation, and news matter. Shortly 
afterward an article headed "A New Sara- 
toga " appeared in that journal as follows : 

" For the benefit of such of our readers as 
are not yet acquainted with the geography 
of Minnesota, I will premise my remarks by 
stating that Owatonna is a thriving town of 
about 3,000 inhabitants, the county seat of 
Steele County, situated on the east bank of 
the Straight Eiver, at the crossing of the 
Winona & St. Peter, and the Iowa & Min- 
nesota division of the Milwaukee & St. Paul 



154 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



railroads, sevent}' miles south of St. Paul 
and ninety-one west of "Winona. Happening 
to be detained liere, I found the citizens 
greatly excited by the recent discovery of 
several mineral springs m a line natural 
grove near the town. Having received an 
invitation from Gen. Beers, the discoverer 
of the springs, to visit the future Saratoga 
of tlie West, I started, in company with him 
and two other prominent citizens behind a 
fine team, and thorougly enjoyed the ride of 
little more than a mile, in such an atmos- 
phere as Minnesota alone can boast, a fault- 
less blue sky and brilliant sunshine which 
made the particles of fine snow thrown up 
by our horses' heels glitter like diamonds. 
On i-eaching the grove in which the springs 
are situated, a winding track of about a 
quarter of a mile brought us to the first 
spring, which bubbled clear as crj'stal from 
the bank above a little creek formed by the 
overflow of this and other neighboring 
spring. I was struck at the first glance by 
the rust-like coating of the pebbles and 
twigs over which its water flowed, indicating 
the presence of iron in considerable quan- 
tities, while bubbles of carbonic acid gas, 
rushing continually to the surface, converted 
the little basin formed by the spring into a 
natural soda fountain. On tasting of the 
water I found it rather pleasant than other- 
wise to the palate, and although the flavor 
of iron was very predominant, it lacked the 
abominable combination of horrors inherent 
in some mineral springs, which renders it 
necessary to acquire a taste for them befoi'e 
it is possible to swallow even a single glass of 
the water without experiencing an inward 
qualm. This, on the contrary, was piquant 
and refreshing. I was informed by a farmer 
living in the neighborhood that he had used 
the water for some time, both for drinking 
and culinary purposes, and that both himself 
and wife liad derived great benefit from it. 
It has also been used by several citizens of 
Owatonna who have been troubled by dys- 
pepsia and kidney complaint, all of whom 



testify to a rapid improvement in their 
systems. There are, within the space of 
three or four acres, some seven or eight 
springs, all somewhat similar in character, 
except that some of tliem appear to have 
rather stronger alkaline properties than 
others, and one is so strongly impregnated 
with sulphur that it is apparent, not only to 
the taste, but to the olfactory organs at sev- 
eral feet distant. The waters have not yet 
been submitted to chemical analysis, but 
that will be done shortly, and the mineral 
properties fully ascertained. Whether they 
fully justified the anticipations formed of 
their healing qualities or not, the visiting 
pleasure seeker or invalid will be amply re- 
warded for the fatigue of a journey by the 
beauty of the surroundings. The springs 
are situated in an amphitheater, shut in by 
surrounding hills, the surface of which is 
broken by ravines running in every direction. 

A short time after the publication of the 
above, a mineral spring company was organ- 
ized at Owatonna, for the purpose of improv- 
ing the "plant," with a capital of $10,000. 
They secured qualitative analysis of the water 
from Pi'of. Sharpers, State Assayer and 
Chemist of Massachusetts. He pronounced 
it as closely resembling the Bethesda spring, 
at Waukesha, Wis., and found it to contain 
bicarbonates of lime and magnesia, sul- 
phate of lime, chlorides of soda, potassa, 
silica, alumina, and carbonates of iron. In 
April, 1875, Prof. Bodie, of Milwaukee, pro- 
nounced the water of the springs superior to 
the famous Bethesda spring of Wisconsin. 

At about this time the grasshoppers were 
devastating the western part of the State, 
although Steele County had so far been free 
from trouble on that score. The Press, 
however, on March 31, 1875, contained the 
following item : " Considerable curiosity, if 
not a little excitement, was caused yesterday 
by a man from Crane Creek, bringing in a lot 
of J'oung grasshoppers, supposed to be the 
species that have been devastating the fron- 
tier. But persons who saw those on the 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



155 



frontier readily distinguished them from 
these. So our citizens need not be at all 
alarmed." 

On the 5th of May the cooper shop belong- 
ing to J. D. Holden, in Owatonna, was 
burned to the ground. Total loss, $1,500 ; 
insurance, $500. 

On Sunday, May 30, 1875, a sad accident 
occurred a few miles south of Owatonna, on 
Straight Kiver, by which John Windro, of 
Somerset Township, lost his life. It seems 
that a Bohemian, named Antone Slazek, 
started out hunting and went to the house of 
the deceased, who was of the same nation- 
ality. After fooling with the gun in the 
house for some time, he placed a cap upon 
it and pointed the muzzle toward "Windro, 
saying : " I will shoot you." Windro 
dodged, and in taking down the gun it 
was accidentally discharged, killing Windro 
almost instantly. Slazek was arrested by 
Sheriff Toher, but the grand jury, after ex- 
amining the facts and evidence bearing on 
the case, decided that the shooting was 
accidental and the j^risoner was discharged. 

As to the truth of the following account 
of a matrimonial purchase, the historian is 
unable to vouch. The article was clipped 
from the Aitsiin Begister, of 1875. It is as 
follows : " Two Norwegians living at Nor- 
wegian Lake, near the line of Steele and 
Freeborn Counties, became enamored of the 
same lady, and each had urged his suit with 
respective fervency. One of the suitors 
lived in Steele and the other in Freeborn 
County. The lady had no especial choice, 
the suitor to visit her last always thought he 
got the best of it, as he always thought she 
would never ' go back ' on him. So to des- 
ignate these lovers we will caU them Steele 
and Freeborn. As Steele lived the farthest 
away from his affectionate Dulcinea, Free- 
born rather had the inside track, and he 
accordingly took the girl home with him for 
a visit. The old gentleman was rather 
favorable toward Steele, and thought Free- 
born ought to have a little more respect for 



the feelings of Steele, so he di-opped a letter 
to Steele, informing him how things were 
going on, and told him he thought it would 
be necessary for him to make a pilgrimage 
that way soon in order to keep up with his 
rival, who was making sad havoc with the 
affections of his intended. Steele was a 
big-tisted fellow, and when he received that 
letter he couldn't contain himself, and 
accordingly started down to see about it. 
Freeborn, hearing of his coming, called in 
his friends and stationed a guard around his 
cabin, and swore by all above the sea and 
under the earth he would wade in blood to his 
knees but what he would have the girl. Steele 
went to the cabin of Freeborn under a flag 
of truce, and there met his green-eyed rival 
face to face, and but for the friends of both 
l^arties, would have clawed each other beauti- 
fully. In order to 'compromise' matters, 
Steele offered to take $100 for his interest in 
the girl, but Freeborn couldn't see it; then he 
offered to give $100 to Freeborn, which was 
refused he raised the offer to $125, then to 
$150, and upon being again refused, took a 
friend aside for counsel, and it was finally 
agreed to offer $160 for the girl and not 
another red. Freeborn said he would take it. 
Steele gave his note for the amount, and the 
father of the girl signed it. The young lad}'' — 
the prize for which they were contending — 
stood by a silent listener, all this time ready 
to go with either party. She is about eighteen 
years of age, speaks English, and for the life 
of her can't tell which of these gentlemen 
she likes best. It is said that the old gent 
and Steele afterward repudiated the note, 
claiming they had not got value received. 
The parties were afterward married at the 
Norwegian Church, in Steele County." 

The wet weather during the summer sea- 
son of 1875 proved disastrous to crops in 
Steele as well as in the balance of the State. 

On the llrth of November the old pioneer 
log residence of Elder Town was destroyed 
by fire ; loss, $500. 

The Peoj)le's Preff:, in its issue of Decern- 



156 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



ber 22, 1875, contains the following, under 
the head of a "Eow in Havana:" "John 
Johnson, a son of ' California ' Johnson, of 
Havana, was married to a Miss Christo- 
pherson, on the 13th, at which time a gal- 
lon of alcohol was diluted, and after several 
of them had imbibed freely, old ' California ' 
got on his ear, then took a gun down, and 
striking it on the floor, broke the stock, and 
it was then taken away from him and dis- 
charged. ' California ' then followed Amon 
Christopherson out of the house, and with- 
out any cause or provocation, drew a knife 
and struck him in the cheek. The knife 
went through the cheek, struck and broke a 
piece out of a tooth, cut a gash across the 
tongue, and cut the opposite tooth badly. 
Johnson evidently intended to kill Christo- 
pherson by stabbing liim in the neck, but 
missed his mark. A warrant was issued, 
but by the time the officer had reached 
Havana, Johnson had fled — it is thought 
to Colorado." Mr. Johnson afterward 
returned, reformed and became a respected 

citizen. 

1876. 

''The house of Anuis Krat, on section 11, 
Aurora Township, neighbor of Cord King, 
was destroj'ed by fire a few days ago. The 
inhabitants narrowly escaped with their 
lives."— P«>/>Ze'.s Press, Jan. 26, 1876. 

The following sensational article appeared 
in the Peoples Press, in its issue of April 29, 
1876. It appears in connection with the 
Aurora news, tlie correspondent signing 
himself "H.:" "In order to tell my story 
and that it may be understood, I must go 
back to 1856. Among the firet settlers of 
Aurora was a man named Sargent, whose 
character was unspotted. He lost his wife, 
and lived until about four 3'ears ago, when 
he was taken sick, and though he had the 
best of care by kind friends, he died of old 
age. He was buried near A. B. Clark's. 
He had no relatives here and folks had 
about forgotten him, until last fall it was 
said h» could be seen on certain nights in 



the grove south of A. B. Clark's. I found 
out what kind of nights he was to be seen, 
and being sometiiing of a skeptic, I deter- 
mined to see for myself. So, I started, one 
of those foggy nights, and had gotten about 
half way through the grove, and heboid ! 
there he stood, cane in hand. I was startled 
at first, but put on a bold face and advanced 
to meet him. Now, I had heard in my 
younger days that when the dead returned 
to earth they had something they wished to 
say, so I stepped up and said : ' Uncle Sar- 
gent, what shall I do to be saved?' He 
raised his cane and his face was illuminated 
with a heavenly smile, and he said : ' Vote 
the Democratic ticket ! ' — H." 

In May, a band of four three-card-monte 
men, who had been operating in and about 
Owatonna, were captured. On the r7th 
of that month they had swindled J. Bower, 
of Brown County, out of $42, and he had 
put the officers on their track. The mar- 
shal took after them and found two in the 
vicinity of the old Owatonna House. They 
ran down Bridge street, followed by a large 
crowd, to the river, jumped in and endeav- 
ored to cross, but the river was very high 
and they were caught by men in a boat. 
Two more were afterward caught and locked 
up. When arraigned they gave their 
names as G. H. Richardson alias Top Ro- 
gers, John Manning and Edward Burke. 
They were sentenced to jail for sixty days. 

On February 20 , 1876, the house of 
J. Clark, of Somerset Township, was totally 
destroyed by fire. It was occupied by Wal- 
ter and William Kenyon. Loss, $700. 

In May, 1876, four head of cattle belong- 
ing to J. S. Bixby, of Aurora Township, 
were killed by lightning. 

May 16 , the stable and granary belong- 
ing to George Naylor, in Merton Township, 
were struck by lightning and burned, in- 
cluding contents, consisting of a span of 
horses, three cows, a calf, five hundred bush- 
els of wheat and one hundred bushels of oats. 
When Mr. Naylor discovered the fire, he sent 




-^A /w^ A^^y?^^7p>~p^ 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



159 



his little girl to a neighbor, Mr. Feastons', 
for help, but on arriving there a large dog, 
jumped upon her and bit and tore her in a 
dreadful manner. For several days the life 
of the little girl was despaired of, but she 
finally recovered. 

June 20, Christian Schuelke, a German 
in the employ of H. D. Lewis, in the 
northern part of Meriden Township, was 
struck by lightning and instantly killed. 
He was thirty years old and left one child- 
On examination it was found that the light" 
ning had struck him in the breast and 
]>assed through the body and out at the boots. 

Early in July, Abidan Eessler, a boy of 
fourteen, was drowned in Straight River, at 
Clinton. 

Tuesday morning, September 12 , Mrs. John 
Bi'adshaw, living on the south line of the 
town of Owatonna, met with a serious acci. 
dent. Her son had a large horse-pistol and 
pointed it at her; she thinking it was not 
loaded did not notice, when the boy some, 
how discharged.the pistol and the contents 
struck along the left side of her neck and 
head. One shot pierced her left eye near 
the center, and another the corner of the 
right eye. Dr. Blood, was called, and after 
examination thought that she would lose the 
sight of her left eye. The wounds were 
very painful. 

The People^s Pi'ess, of September 30, 
contained the following in relation to grass- 
hoppers : "Reports from the western part of 
the county are to the effect that grasshop- 
pers are laying eggs, and that the eggs al- 
ready laid are in good condition. Small 
numbers have already hatched, but not 
enough to amount to anything. They are 
mostly in the towns of Lemond and Berlin. 
We have them, and there is no use worrying 
about it ; all we can do is to accept them, 
plow as usual this fall, plant next spring, and 
if the grasshoppers hatch in any gi'eat num- 
bers, as they probably' will, all that can be 
done is to fight them as potato bugs in former 
years. Every farmer in the county should 

10 



take precaution and not burn a load of sti-aw, 
as the article can be made very useful in their 
destruction." 

The following account of a sad accident ap- 
])eared in the issue of the People s Press, dated 
Octol)er 14: "Last night Charles Dailey, while 
taking down his gun, by accident nearly 
fatally shot his sister Maggie. The gun was 
loaded, and as he took it down the hammer 
was pulled back, and falling on the cap dis- 
charged the load. The charge struck his 
sister Maggie (who was in range with the 
muzzle of the gun), between the neck and 
shoulder, passing obliquely downward, cut- 
ting out part of the collar bone. The main 
artery beneath the collar bone was un- 
touched." 

One of Blooming Prairie's earliest settlers, 
Thos. Bray, died November 6, 1876, aged 
fifty years. He had been a universally kind 
man, and was esteemed by all who knew 
him. 

At the presidential election this year, there 
were 2,539 votes polled in Steele County, of 
which R. B. Hayes, Republican, received, 
1,581 ; and Samuel J. Tilden, Democrat, 958. 

1877. 

Monday evening, January 9, the alarm of 
fire was sounded at Owatonna, and a crowd 
rushed to the Central Block, to find that the 
roof of the rear of Melvin & Fox's building was 
in flames. All the stores in the city being shut 
up at 8 o'clock, this was also closed, and no 
one there. The front door was soon forced 
open and the crowd took a lot of clothing 
out, but the fire being under the roof and 
under good headway when discovered, they 
were soon driven out. The building joining 
immediately on the west, occupied by Dow- 
nie Bros., was also soon in flames, as the wind 
came from the southeast and blew the flames 
directly against it. When it was seen that 
this building must also burn, the crowd 
rushed in and carried out goods until kept 
out by the heat. The building occupied by 
Melvin & Fox was owned by the Hon. Lewis 



160 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



L. Wheelock, and valued at $1,000 ; insured 
for $G00. The building occupied by Downie 
•Bros, was owned by E. Scannell, and was 
valued at $1,400, and insured for $800. 
Melvin & Fox had their stock insured for 
$2,500. The stock of Downie Bros, was in- 
sured for $3,000 ; loss, $-4,500. 

"It is said that a pretty school ma'am, 
teaching in Steele County, to prevent 
scholars from being tardy, ado])ted the plan 
of kissing the first scholar who made his 
appearance at the schoolhouse. All went 
well for a few days, when the nineteen-year- 
oldboys, anxious to participate in this fun, 
actually got to roosting on the fence all 
night, in order to be at the school first in the 
morning." — Peopled Press, January^!, 1877. 

Accident — Wednesday, February 21. — 
While down in a well, Mr. D. B. Potter met 
with an accident which came very nearly 
proving fatal. Over two hundred pounds of 
dirt and i-ock fell a distance of twenty feet, 
striking him on the shoulders and back. 
Good care brought him on the street again, 
though somewhat lame and sore. 

Mrs. Mary H. McAndrews died at the 
residence of Henry McAndrews, in Merton 
Townshij), on March 24, aged seventy-six 
years. She was born in County Mayo, Ire- 
Land, in 1801. 

Francis C. McAndrews died in Deer 
Lodge, Mont., January 25, 1877, of con- 
sumption. He was one of the old settlers of 
Steele Count}', having gone to Montana for 
his health. 

The funeral of Mrs. Wm. Pepper, which 
took place Sunday, April 25, was very 
largely attended. The Odd Fellows of both 
lodges in Owatonna turned out and honored 
the memory of their dear, departed sister. 
The funeral services were held at the Univer- 
salist Church, which could not accommodate 
the people that attended. ]\Irs. Pepper was 
greatly beloved by all who knew her, and 
left a large circle of mourning friends. 

"A Ghost Story. — One night as two men 
were returning to their homes in Aurora, in 



a sleigh, having previously imbibed a little. 
The nigiit was clear, and the sleighing all 
that could be desired. While driving along 
in good spirits, they were accosted by several 
figures, apparently human, dressed in white, 
who kept pace with the sleigh on either side 
of the road. The young men were some- 
what alarmed. All the ghost and goblin 
stories which they had ever heard now 
danced before their minds. One of the 
figures made a motion as if wishing to speak. 
The young men, too terrified to disobey, 
stopped and listened, when in a deep-toned, 
unearthly voice, the phantom said : " Get 

YOUR CLOTHES MADE BY JoHN CoTTIER." 

Mrs. J. W. Morford died at Owatonna on 
the 14th of May, 1877. Mrs. Morford was 
born in Luzerne Count}^ Pa., March 24, 
1827. She was married October 9, 1849, to 
J. W. Morford, and in 1856 moved to this 
county with her husband, thus being among 
the earliest settlers. The following incident 
of her life in the pioneer times of this coun- 
try will be read with interest, and give an 
idea of some of the trials endured: "Mr. 
Morford's claim was about three miles east 
of town. He lived on his claim, yet attended 
to his business in town, generally going 
home each night, when not detained too late 
by his business. Whenever he was detained 
in town, Mrs. Morford would spend the 
night at Mr. Odell's. On one of these oc- 
casions, in November, 1856, Mrs. Morford, 
having waited until somewhat late for his 
return, started for Mr. Odell's. After walk- 
ing, as she thought, far enough to reach the 
house, she looked about her but could not 
see the shanty. After wandering about 
some time, she concluded she was lost. She 
did not despond, for she knew daylight 
would set her right, and, coming to a thicket, 
she wrapped her shawl around her and laid 
down to sleep. Next morning she awoke 
and started for home. Seeing a shanty she 
stopped to inquire her whereabouts. No 
one answering her knocks, she went in. 
Things looked strangely familiar to her, and 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



161 



upon closer scrutiny found it was her own 
home. She had become so completely be- 
wildered tliat slie did not recognize it until 
she saw the familiar furniture. 

Robert Adair, one of the earliest settlers 
in Havana Township, died June 7, of par- 
alysis. He was seventy-one years of age. 

The Press, in its issue of June 9, contains 
the following article in relation to the de- 
vastation of the grasshoppers : 

" Last Saturday and Sunday the hoppers 
had hatched out so plentifully in the towns 
of Meriden, Lemond and Berlin, in this 
county, that the inhabitants lost no time in 
coming to town to secure tar and "dozers." 
Almost every farmer in the infested dis- 
trict had a machine and were successfully 
fighting them. But little damage has been 
done, and, by the use of dozers, the crops 
were kept in good condition." 

A serious stabbing affray occurred in the 
town of Somerset on the 31st of June, in 
which W. R. Knickerbocker and a man 
named Barker were badly cut by Frank 
Herdina and several other Bohemians. As 
the matter was afterward carried into court, 
a full account of the fracas is given in Chap- 
ter XI. 

The Journal and Herald, in speaking of 
the grasshoppers in August, said : " We ex- 
pect we shall not chronicle the departure of 
the hoppers until winter. Almost every 
pleasant, warm day, when the wind is from 
the northwest, they can be seen in large 
numbei's, sjoino: southeast. None alight, and 
none fly if the wind is from any other direc- 
tion. Where they go is a mystery. It is 
reported that a swarm lit down in Oakland 
County, Mich., and another swarm in the 
northern part of New York and Vermont, in 
both places devouring ever^ything." 

On Thursday, September 27, a destructive 
fire occurred at Blooming Prairie. The 
losses were as follows : The elevator of Pratt 
& Robinson, $3,500; insured for $2,800. 
Wheat in the same, 2,S00 bushels; 1,800 
bushels belonging to farmers, of which Ole 



Hie had 1,100 bushels, insured for full value. 
The warehouse of C. Whitton, valued at 
$300, containing (500 bushels of wheat, 1,000 
bushels of oats and 800 bushels of barley. 

In November Charles R. Pate, a traveling 
agent for the Atlantic Weekly, committed 
suicide at the Arnold House, Owatonna, by 
cutting his throat from ear to ear with a 
razor. Ill health was the cause assigned. 

On the 5th of December, 1877, Benjamin 
Arnold, an old and respected citizen of Owa- 
tonna, committed suicide by shooting himself 
in the head. Four pistol balls had pene- 
trated the brain. " Tired of living," was 
the cause assigned. He was one of the 
oldest settlers, having located in Steele 
County in 1855 with his wife, who died in 
1876. The Arnold House was at one time 
his property and still bears his name. 

On the 22d of January, Peter Ganser's 
brewery, at Owatonna, was burned to the 
ground. The loss was estimated at $20,000, 
on which there was an insurance of $6,000. 
It was supposed that the fire originated in 
the dry kiln. 

January 28, another disastrous fire oc- 
curred in Owatonna, by which Julius F. 
Young's jewelry store was totally destroyed. 
But little of the stock was saved. On stock, 
furniture and building there was an insur- 
ance of $7,000. 

On the 12th of February, 1878, a serious 
shooting afl'ray occurred at Owatonna, 
through which Thomas Langon lost his life. 
It seems that Langon, in company with sev- 
eral others, had been on a spree during the 
evening, and the city marshal, S. Stowers, 
attempted to arrest one of them, when Lan- 
gon kicked the marshal in the face and 
chest, and ran. Stowers started in pursuit, 
and after ordering Langon to halt several 
times, fired three shots which took effect, 
and he died several days later. A coroner's 
jury was convened, composed of W. A. 
Dynes, Charles Schoen, George B. Hall, 
James Thompson, T. H. Kelly and H. Harts- 
horn, which rendered a verdict in accord- 



162 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



ance with the above facts and exonerated 
Stowers. 

On the 15th of February, Phocion Turte- 
lot was murdered at Owatonna by Claud 
V-an Alstyne, while they were engaged in get- 
tiner out ice on the Straight River. Van 
Alstyne was tried, convicted and sentenced 
to State's prison for life. See Chapter XI. 

A meeting of the old settlers of Steele 
County was held on the 13th of July, 1878, 
at Morehouse's opera hall, Owatonna, for the 
purpose of organizing an old settlers' associa- 
tion for Steele County. On motion of Dex- 
ter Smith, David Lindersraith was elected 
chairman, and J. W. Morford, secretary. It 
was resolved that the chairman appoint one 
or more from each township to draft a con- 
stitution and by-laws to govern the organiza- 
tion. After tliis, on motion of John Shea, 
the meeting was adjourned to September 14, 
but nothing further appears to have been 
done. 

At about 4 o'clock, Tuesday afternoon, 
September 10, a fire broke out in Paddock 
& Bickford's foundry at Owatonna, destroy- 
ing the building and most of tlie contents. 
Tiie stock and building were valued at $'d,- 
200 and insured for $600. 

On Wednesday evening, September 11, 
Fred AnJialdt, a German, in Meriden, com- 
mitted suicide by shooting himself. 

On Wednesday, September 18, a son of 
Mr. E. Norton disappeared. He was ulti- 
mately found drowned in about half a tub of 
water. The little fellow was suj)posed to 
have been leaning over the side, playing in 
the water, when, losing his balance, he fell 
in and it I'esulted fatally. 

Meriden station, on Tuesday night, Sept- 
ember 24, was the scene of a robbery. An 
unknown man entered the Ijar-room of P. G. 
Rosenau's saloon and called for a glass of 
beer, which was given him. At this time a 
masked man stepped in, supposed to be a 
confeilerate, holding out a large jjistol, which 
lie pointed directly at the bartender, and the 
two men soon transferred the contents of the 



money drawer to their pockets and took to 
their heels. 

On Wednesday morning, October 23, a 
shooting affray took place at the residence 
of Samuel Finley. It appears that E. A. 
Wilder, a son of Finley 's wife by a former 
husband, entered the room of Mr. Finley, 
and, on being ordered out, pulled out a 
loaded pistol and discharged two shots at 
the old man, one grazing the top of his head, 
cutting a furrow an inch long, the other 
taking effect in his right cheekbone, and 
l)assing through his ear, causing a bad 
wound. He also discharged a third shot at 
John P. Finley, who came to the assistance 
of his grandfather and who lived with him. 
The young man was arrested. The People's 
Press, in speaking of the affair, said : "After 
getting sureties and having the appeal papers 
ready, in the case of E. A. Wilder, those in 
charge of the matter finally concluded to let 
him sta}' in jail six months rather than carry 
his case to the supreme court or pay his 
fine." 

On Sunday, December 15,Willard Wheaton 
was killed. While driving along the mineral 
springs road where it passes under the rail- 
road track, his hoi-se became frightened, 
throwing him out upon his head on the 
frozen gi'ound, so affecting his spinal cord 
as to paralyze his whole body, causing his 
death. 

Crops were very poor in Steele County 
in the year 1878, therefore money was scarce 
in 1879. 

In the fall of 1878 several highway rob- 
beries Avere committed in and about Owa- 
tonna, the victims being but little worse off, 
financially, yet put to considerable trouble 
in the way of holding up hands, etc. The rob- 
bers being too lazy to get into a man's wagon 
to search him, would make him get out, in 
this way saving their strength for future use 
should they be compelled to run. Some of 
the victims are mentioned as follows : Orrin 
Searle of $4 cash, watch and gold chain; 
C. B. Wilkinson of $5 ; Mr. McMillan of $2. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



163 



Alois Kishavery was killed in Summit 
Township, Wednesday, December 5, while 
attempting to jump out of a wagon when 
the team was running away. 

George Robinson, aged seventy-two years, 
died December 16, of cancer. He was a man 
highly esteemed by all who knew him, and 
his death caused a feelino- of general sadness 
throughout the community. 

Statistics of Steele County for the year 
ending December 31, 18T8, show 405 births 
and 156 deaths, an increase of 249 over the 
previous vear. 

1879. 

Dr. J. J. Aikin, of Owatonna, died Jan- 
uary 4, 1879, of paralysis. Aged sixtj^-four 
years. 

About two o'clock Sunday morning, Jan- 
uary 17, a lire broke out in G. W. Chesley's 
art gallery, and in a few minutes the entire 
roof was in flames. The room underneath 
was then occupied by Skinner & Jewett, 
grocery and boot and shoe dealers, and in 
trying to remove the stock from the store 
about half a dozen men were caught by the 
burning ceiling falling in upon them. All 
escaped, however, but one had his hands 
badly crushed and burned. The building of 
Mr. Chesley was valued at $4,000; insurance, 
$2,200. The stock of Messrs. Skinner & 
Jewett was valued at about $2,000 ; insured 
for $1,500. 

John Wamous, an aged Bohemian, met 
with a fatal accident Saturday, January 18, 
while going home with a load of bran from 
Owatonna. It is supjDosed that in going 
down the hill south of town, beyond the 
Catholic burying ground, he lost his balance 
and fell head-foremost from the load, killing 
him by dislocating his neck, and breaking in 
his skull. 

Mr. John Barney died very suddenly of 
apoplexy Friday morning, January 31. 

At 12:30 o'clock Sunday, February 8, a fire 
broke out in Hammond's building, on west 
side of North Cedar street, burning off the 
roof and the front of the upper story. 



Total amount of insurance on building and 
stock was $1,000 ; damage about $800. 

Sunday, February 16, 1879, a fire broke 
out in the rear of E. M. Morehouse's store 
building on Broadway, then occupied by a 
grocery firm — Sykora & Kaplan. 

On Thursday morning, March 13, 1879, 
Mr. Henry Keans had his left arm broken 
while digging a well. It appears that a hard 
piece of blue clay cleaved loose about thirty 
feet above him, and in falling struck his 
arm, causing the fracture. 

The house of J. C. Backus, of Owatonna, 
was burned March 14, destroying nearly all 
the furniture. The building was valued at 
$2,000, insured for $1,500 ; also $400 on fur- 
niture and $100 on wearing apparel. 

Died of pneumonia, March 24, Mrs. Ann 
Elizabeth Bixb3% eldest daughter of John 
and Christina Eichler, aged thirty-three 
years, five months and twenty-seven days. 
The deceased was born at Lafayette, Onon- 
daga County, N. Y., and came to Wisconsin 
with her parents in 1856. She experienced 
religion in her thirteenth year, being con- 
verted in a play-bouse where the school girls 
were accustomed to hold prayer-meetings. 
She afterward removed with her family to 
Freeborn County, Minn., in 1861. She was 
married to Mr. J. S. Bixby November 29, 
1866. 

H. Reidell died April 8, 1879, aged sixty- 
five years and twenty-seven days. Mr. 
Reidell was born in Vermont and came to 
this State in the fall of 1855. In 1875 he 
came to Owatonna, where he lived until the 
time of his death. 

Saturday, April 5, Rev. Mr. Graves, 
Congregational minister at Medford, in step- 
ping on the train while in motion, fell 
between the cars. One of his feet was run 
over and crushed so badly as to require 
immediate amputation. 

Saturday, April 5, R. S. Hatley, of Ha- 
vana, had the misfortune of having his 
house burned, saving nothing to speak of. 
The house was valued at $500 ; no insurance. 



164 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



.April 13, 1879, Mr. Arad Jones, of Ha- 
vana, died of consumption, aged seventy- 
four years. The deceased was a very old 
settler of Steele County t>nd esteemed by all 
who knew him. 

Saturday, April 30, S. G. Lund, lumber 
dealer in Owatonna, had his safe blown 
open and the few doUars in silver which it 
contained was taken. The burglars effected 
an entrance by the window on the north- 
west corner, and on leaving, left a sledge, a 
number of wedges, two bits and several cold 
chisels. 

Mrs. Katie Siebold, wife of Mr. F. G. Sie- 
bold, died on the 9th of June, 1879, aged 
thirty-six years and nine months. She was 
universally beloved and respected. 

Early in June Dellie Quiggle, a child of 
Mr. and Mrs. M. S. or L. J. Quiggle, of Owa- 
tonna, was drowned in Straiglit Kiver. 

On the 10th of June burglars effected an 
entrance into the residence of L. Bion, in 
Owatonna, and carried off $180 worth of 
cash and jewelry. One of the burglars was 
afterward shot and killed, by an officer at 
Rochester, Minn. Part of the stolen goods 
were found on his person. 

Samuel M. Finley died of old age at Owa- 
tonna on the 30th of May, 1879, aged eighty- 
eight j^ears. 

On Saturday, May 31, 1879, over 86,600 of 
the taxes of 1878 were taken in at the court 
house. 

In June a disastrous storm passed over the 
northeastern part of Steele County, doing 
considerable damage to buildings in Merton 
Township. Among those who suffered loss 
were : P. Malone, Edward Bartley, Mike and 
Mark Henry, P. J. Tuttle, John Lane, P. R. 
Stout, and Dexter Carlton. 

A severe hail-storm passed over Steele 
County on the 2d of July. Especially did 
the farmers in Meriden Township suffer. 
Among others who lost heavily through de- 
struction of grain were G. Mudeking, G. F. 
Albertus, Chris. Schulke, J. P. Jackson, John 
O. Wuamett, Darius Cook, William Presby, 



Mr. Birkle, Archibald Warren, E. L. Scoville, 
P. Schuster, T. W. Irving, G. W. Buffura, C. 
H. Church, G. W. Knapp, and John Q. 
Ellis. It was stated that fully 10 per cent 
of the crops throughout the county was de- 
stroyed. 

On July 4, 1879, the barn of Mr. Henry 
Moffatt, about two miles north of Owatonna, 
was destroyed by fire ; loss, $200. 

On Tuestlay evening, July 8, 1879, a terri- 
ble hail-storm passed through the township 
of Berlin, Steele County, cutting a swath 
over two miles wide, beginning at section 
18 and ending on 36. The following are the 
names of the farmers whose crops were 
wholly destroyed : Lewis Burns, D. Gordon, 
Dwight Gordon, E. Kinney, P. Dunnigan, 
Thomas Brown, James McCormack, William 
Lonergan, John Lonergan, Thomas Loner- 
gan, A. Anderson, J. Johnson, L. Peterson, 
H. Bradley, H. O. and Ole Thompson, Iver 
Oleson and John McGillicudy. The follow- 
ing is a list of the farmers whose crops were 
partly destroyed: Thomas McCormack, A. 
Quitbar, P. McGillicudy, M. McFarland, J. 
M. Sloan, J. Wolaski, H. G. Cusick, G. W. 
Giddings, Edward and Benjamin Wheeler, 
H. W. Rulliffson, J. Bohm, and B.Kingsley. 
The loss to the town of Berlin caused by this 
storm w^as estimated at $20,000. 

Joseph Hoffman, Sr.. aged seventy years 
and five months, died in Owatonna July 28, 
1879. Mr. Hoffman came to Steele County 

in 1858. 

Mr. Daniel Gross, aged seventy-eight 
years, died October 18, of old age. Mr. 
Gross had been long and favorably known 
in the vicinity of Owatonna. 

In Owatonna, on Thursday evening, Oc- 
tober 30, 1879, Vinzenz Nowotne was robbed 
by John Stransky of $8.45. Stransky was 
arrested. 

Andrew Oppliger, of Owatonna, died at 
the residence of his son, J. A. Oppliger, on 
Thursday evening, November 6, of apoplexy, 
aged sixty-nine years. 

In December, 1879, a board of trade was 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



165 



organized in Owatonna. The following offi- 
cers were elected : W. R. Kinyon, president ; 
E. Donaldson, vice-president ; A. Knobloch, 
second vice-president ; W. A. Dynes, secre- 
tary ; "William Leary, treasurer; directors: 
John Shea, Charles Schoen, C. N. Mc- 
Laughlin, M. A. Fredenburg, C. H. Eandall, 
Edward Downie, E. Ray Fenno ; committee 
on by-laws: E. Ray Fenno, H. H. Luers 
and F. T. Drebert. 

A fatal accident.— On Friday, December 
2, Joseph Ripkathen, a resident of Havana, 
was killed. While on his way to Owatonna 
his team became frightened, running on to 
some plowed ground, throwing him off the 
sleigh, fracturing his skull and killing him 
instantly. 

Mrs. Jemima Hartle, of Havana, died De- 
cember 12. She had been a resident of 
Steele County about nine years, and left a 
large circle of friends. 

1880. 

The United States census of this year gave 
Steele County a total population of 12,460. 
The number of American born residents of 
the county was 8,576 and foreign 3,88-4. 

Steele County's total vote at the presiden- 
tial election, held in November of this year, 
was 2,646, divided as follows: James A. 
Garfield, Republican, 1,642 ; W. S. Hancock, 
Democrat, 944 ; Neal Dow, Prohibition, 60. 

Mary Jane Yust, aged thirty -three years, 
died inDeerfield Township, Sunday, January 
18. She was the wife of C. Yust. 

March 26, George Ca ward's barn at Owa- 
tonna burned with all its contents. One 
team valued at $500, and three other horses 
were burned. Loss about $2,000 ; no insur- 
ance. 

John P. Johnson, of Owatonna Township, 
died of consumption, Wednesday, April 21. 
Mr. Johnson had always been a good citizen 
and had the highest'respect of all who knew 
him. 

The house of Henry Brasen, of Meriden, 
was burned May 29. The house was known 



as the Farmers' Home. The building was 
valued at $1,500, insured for $800 ; furniture 
at $500, insured for $200. 

On Thursday night, June 12, M. L. Dev- 
ing, of Meriden, had his barn struck by 
lightning and burned to the ground. It was 
valued at $1,000, and insured for $500. 

Joseph Chambers, of Owatonna, died Sep- 
tember 10, aged sixty-one years, three months 
and ten days. Mr. Chambers was born 
in Argyle, Washington County, N. Y., and 
had come to Steele County in 1864. He was 
a man highly respected by all who knew 

him. 

On Tuesday, October 13, a plank, to which 
was attached a pulley, hoisting a mortar 
cask, broke from its fastening on the top of 
Mr. Moore's brick block, then in course of 
construction, and fell, striking Hans Erick- 
son on the head, crushing his skull, thus 
causing his death. 

On Monday, November 1, five prisoners 
made their escape from the Steele County 
jail. They sawed themselves out of the iron 
cage, then pulled out one of the window 
casings, and dug enough brick out below to 
let themselves out. Sheriff Chambers im- 
mediately offered $25 for their arrest. 

1881. 

On Friday, March 18, a fire broke out in 
John Lawler's house near the depot, destroy- 
ing the house and contents. The occupants 
merely escaped with their lives. No insur- 
ance on building. 

Died, on Thursday morning, March 26, 
Mrs. A. P. Riggs, aged forty -five years. The 
deceased was born in Cattaraugus County, 
N. Y., November 7, 1836, and came to Owa- 
tonna in 1868, where she had lived until 

death. 

Mrs. Hannah Moulton, aged eighty-six 
years and six months, died in Owatonna, 
April 27, having been an invalid for five 
years. She was born in New Bedford, Mass., 
in 1794. 

Dr. Edward Wallace Johnson was born m 



166 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Vermont, on the 5th of May, 1813. He 
graduated at Willoughby Medical College, 
Ohio, and subsequently entered u])on an 
extensive and lucrative practice, and was so 
successful in his chosen profession that he 
accumulated a handsome competency. In 
1881 he retired from active practice and 
located in Owatonna, where he remained un- 
til the time of his death. 

Hon. Francis Coo-gswell, father of Judge 
Amos Coggswell, died at Goodwin, I). T., 
October 22, 1881. He was born at Dover, 
N.H., April 6, 1790, being over ninety -one 
years old at the time of his death. He was 
a graduate of Dartmouth College, and was 
in the defense at Portsmouth in the War 
of 1812. After the war he studied law, was 
admitted, and practiced at the Merrimack 
Count}' bar for thirty years, ranking high 
as an able advocate and criminal lawyer. 
He came west in 1868, and lived with his 
sons, Amos and G. W. Coggswell, both well 
known. His remains were brought from 
Dakota and placed for their last long rest 
beside those of his wife, in Aurora cemetery'. 

On the 29th of December, 1881, the resi- 
dence of Mr. M. J. Mooney, in Merton 
Township, was destroyed by tire. Loss, 
$800 ; insurance, $500. 

1882. 

Mrs. John Cottier died at Owatonna, Jan- 
uary 16, of heart disease. She was born in 
Mansfield, Cattaraugus County, N. T., April 
1, 1826, her maiden name being Anna Grif- 
fin. She married Mr. Cottier at EUicott- 
ville in the same county, September 15, 
18i8, and they had seven children, all 
of whom were alive at the time of her 
death. She was beloved by all who knew 
her, for her many virtues. 

John Q. Ellis died of cancer, February 3. 
He was born at Sumner, Me., JSToveraber 13, 
1824, and came to Sparta, Wis., in 1856, 
Avhere he lived until coming to Steele 
County, in March, 1867. At the time of his 
death he was chairman of the board of 



county commissioners, wihch position he had 
occupied for several years. He was a man 
of good abilities, careful, painstaking and 
efficient in all his official duties, and his death 
was mourned sincerely, by not only his 
family but a very large circle of intimate 
friends. 

Early in February, 1882, the schoolhouse 
in District JSTo. 13, Aurora Township — near 
Stapleton's — was burned to the ground. 

On the 11th of March, 1882, the house of 
John Pavek, Jr., located a short distance 
southeast of Owatonna, took fire and burned 
to the ground. The family had difficulty 
in saving their lives. The building and furni- 
ture were a total loss. The value of building 
and furniture was about $1,000 ; insured 
for $400. 

In February, 1882, a stock company was 
organized at Owatonna for the purpose of 
establishing a tow and twine factory. The 
following parties were first to subscribe 
stock : B. S. Cook, Neal Graham, W. E. 
Kinyon, A. Keynolds, L. L. Bennett, M. J. 
Toher, W. A. Dynes, J. E. Buxton, Whee- 
lock & Sperry, A. C. Hickman, N. C. Lar- 
son and B. E. Darby. The organization of 
the companj' was effected on the 11th of 
March, 1882, when $20,000 of stock had 
been subscribed. The name adopted was 
the " Owatonna Twine and Oil Company." 
The following gentlemen were duly elected 
directors for the ensuing year : W. R. Kin- 
yon, L. L. Bennett, B. S. Cook, L. Lord and 
W. A. Dynes. A. Reynolds was engaged as 
superintendent, at $1,200 per year. Quite 
an active effort was made to secure the 
cooperation of the farmers, but it was un- 
successful. In April, of the same year, a 
meeting of the stockholders was held, at 
which the directors made a full report, in 
which they stated : " We have earnestly 
and faithfully tried to induce our farmers to 
sow sufficient fiax to warrant us in the erec- 
tion of buildings, purchase of machinery, 
etc., in order to conlmence the manufactur- 
ing of twine this season, but find it impossi- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



167 



ble to do so. In view of this state of facts 
we do not feel warranted in making tlie 
necessary expenditure tliis season. We can 
suspend furtlier operations for tlie present, 
dispose of flax seed on hand at a trifling 
expense to the stockholders, continue our 
organization and be fully prepared to resume 
operations next year, jirovided we can get 
the flax grown. We therefore respectfully 
recommend and advise that further opera- 
tions be suspended for the present ; that the 
secretary and treasurer be instructed to dis- 
pose of the seed, etc., belonging to the 
company, pay all obligations and return pro 
rata to the stockholders the balance of the 
money that has been paid in. Our largest 
stockholder and superintendent, Mr. A. 
Eeynolds, advises this course, and has can- 
celled his engagement with the company, 
which was made for one year at a salary of 
$1,200 per year." This report is signed by 
"W. E. Kinyon, L. L. Bennett, B. S. Cook, 
Lewis Lord and W. A. Dynes, directors." It 
was further explained that they had only 
been able to make contracts with farmers 
for raising thirty-five acres of flax, and that 
the mill would require at least eight hundred 
acres. They had conditional promises of 
farmers to sow 109 acres more. 

On Tuesday morning, April 3, 1882, the 
graded school-building at Owatonna was to- 
tally destroyed by fire, together with all fur- 
niture and contents. The building was in- 
sured for 15,000. 

Late in March, 1882, Mrs. Eaedel, a resi- 
dent of Deerfield Township, committed sui- 
cide by hanging. She had been sick nearly 
all winter and her mind was partiallj' de- 
ranged, so that it was necessary to keep the 
house locked, for fear she would run off in 
the night and freeze to death. She was fifty 
years old. 

E. B. Newhall died of consumption, March 
31, 1882. He had contracted rheumatism in 
the army, and it affected him until the time 
of his death. He was fifty-nine years old. 

Mrs. W. H. Ilolden died of heart disease in 



Owatonna on April 9, 1882, aged thirty 
years. 

April 15, 1882, a fire occurred in Lemond 
Township, which destroyed the dwelling- 
house owned by H. E. Johnson, which was 
occupied by Mrs. Eease. 

Mrs. Eliza S. Burns, an early pioneer, died 
at Somerset, on Thursday, April 23, 1882. 
Mrs. Burns was born in Stephentown, Mass., 
January 7, 1817, and was married to William 
Burns in Italy, Yates County, N. Y., March 
23, 18-10. They came to Minnesota in 1856 
and settled in what is now Havana Town- 
ship, being among the very first settlers. 
She was a generous, kind-hearted lady, a 
characteristic pioneer, and beloved by all 
who knew her. 

On the 18th of April, W. S. Melvin, a for- 
mer prominent resident of Owatonna, met 
with an accident at Brookings, D. T., which 
resulted in his death. It ajipears that he had 
stai'ted to cross a railway track obliquely, 
when an engine — coming swiftly from the 
direction toward which his back was turned 
— struck him. He was thrown half as high 
as the locomotive smoke-stack and fell on the 
side of the engine, rolling off on the ground 
seventy feet from where he was struck. After 
the accident he lay in an unconscious condi- 
tion for thirty-six hours, when he died. The 
remains were brought back to Owatonna and 
buried, with Masonic honors. At the time 
of his death he was thirty-five years old, 
having been born in Hallowell. Me., in 1846. 

Cornelius Moran died of cancer at his 
home in Lemond Township, on April 27, 
1882, aged fifty-nine years. He was a 
man respected by all who knew him, and a 
valuable citizen. He came from New York 
State to Wisconsin at an early day, and in 
1857 moved to Steele County, Minn., set- 
tling first in Meriden Township, but later 
moved to Laniond, wliere he lived until his 
death. 

Dr. Thomas Kenyon died at his residence 
in Somerset on the 17th of April, 1882, 
aged sixty-nine years. He was an old set- 



168 



HISTOKY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



tier and for many years had taken a promi- 
nent part in all public and political matters. 

John M. Sloan died at his home in Berlin 
Township, on the 30th of April, 1S82, aged 
fifty-eight years and eight months. He 
was a man of many friends and stood high 
as a neiglibor and a friend. 

August Sayler died on the 16th of May, 
aged sixty-four years, universally respected, 
a hard-working man and a good citizen. 

June 3, 1882, a fire occurred in Merton 
Township, by which James Clark lost a 
barn and granary, together with several 
hundred bushels of wheat and oats, several 
tons of hay, two sets of harness, and other 
farming tools. Loss about $700, al)out half 
of the amount being covered by insurance. 

A few days later, the house of M. J. 
Toher, on his farm three miles south of 
Owatonna, was burned. Loss, $-±00 ; no 
insurance. 

William Shea died at the home of his son, 
P. Shea, in Berlin Township, on June 12, 
1882, of old age. He was born at Dingle, 
County Kerry, Ireland, in 1775, making 
him one hundred and seven years old. At 
the time of his death he was beyond doubt 
the oldest man west of the Mississippi, and 
possibly in the United States. He was one 
of the pioneer settlers of Steele County, 
having been a resident of Berlin Township 
for twenty -seven years. He was a good 
citizen and highly respected by all who 
knew him. 

Mrs. Dolly Kinyon died of old age at the 
reridence of her son, C. J. Kinyon, on the 
17th of June, 1882. She was seventy-two 
years of age. 

Herschel Titfany, aged seven years, a son 
of Oscar Tiffany, was drowned in the 
Straight River on June 15, 1882. 

On the 23d of June, 1882, a sad accident 
occurred on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul Railway in Aurora Townsiiip. A stone 
culvert had been washed out, and the en- 
gine, tender and three cars containing stock, 
emigrant movables, baled hay and grain. 



were piled in a heap. Mr. Musser, the en- 
gineer, was instantly killed, having got his 
legs jammed between the engine and the 
tender, and Dr. Hawkins, of Blooming 
Prairie, was obliged to cut off his feet, be- 
tween the ankle and knee, before he could 
be taken out. Seventy head of cattle and 
forty hogs were killed. 

On the 1st of October, 1882, the county 
jail at Owatonna was broken open and four 
prisoners escaped. They were all (except 
one crazy man) in one cell, and succeeded in 
sawing or cutting a hole in the iron cage, 
througli which they crawled, and soon dug 
a hole through the brick wall and disap- 
]>eared. They were all from Dodge County. 
Three of them were awaiting trial for hav- 
ing robbed a man on a train near Dodge 
Center, and, after robbing him, threw him out 
of a box car. Tlie names of the parties who 
escaped were David Collins, alias James 
Prescott, Thomas Barrett, Michael Smith 
and John Snyder. 

Byron C. Holmes died at his home in 
Owatonna Township, November 25, 1882, 
aged thirty-two years. He was a well-to-do 
farmer, respected by all. He left a wife 
and four cliildren. 

1883. 

Henry Borchert died at Owatonna on 
January 3, 1883. He had for several years 
previous to his death been living on the 
Clark farm, in Aurora Township, where he 
had been chairman of the townshi}) board 
and had taken a prominent part in local 
matters. He was among the early settlers 
of the county, having settled here with his 
father in 1858. He was forty-four 3'ears 
old at the time of his death. 

David "Wells died at Owatonna on the 
same day, aged nearly fifty-five years. He 
was a man universally respected. 

Robert Crosby, one of the sut)stantial farm- 
ers of Meriden Townsiiip, died at his resi- 
dence on the 8th of February, aged seventy- 
hree years and ten months. He had been a 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



169 



great sufferer for ten months previous to his 
death from a cancer to which he finally suc- 
cumbed. 

Philip Jacob lunker died on the 2d of 
March, of inflammation of the lungs. He 
was born February 9, 1833, in Eisighofen, 
District Nastetlen, Prussia. He came to 
America when nineteen years of age, and 
came to Minnesota from Wisconsin in May, 
1867. At the time of his death he was the 
president of the Deerfield Farmers' Mutual 
Fire Insurance Company, and was univer- 
sally esteemed by all who had the pleasure 
of his acquaintance. He was buried with 
Masonic honors. 

A disastrou s storm s wept over Steele County 
on Saturday morning, July 21, 1883, the 
damage resulting from which was estimated 
at $20,000, although no lives were lost. The 
morning was sultry and very oppressive ; an 
easterly storm set in and everybody expected 
a rainy time. At about 11 o'clock the heav- 
ens north and west grew ominously dark, 
and shortly afterward the storm burst upon 
the city. Trees were bent almost double 
and broken off like pipe stems. The elevator 
and roundhouse on the C, M. & St. P. rail- 
road were partially unroofed. A. Simpson's 
wind flouring-niill was ground to kindling 
wood. A large new building, size 72x140, 
on the State Fair grounds, was flattened to 
the ground, and the grand amphitheater was 
blown down and broken up badly. The 
damage to the State fair grounds was fully 
$2,000; on Simpson's flouring-mill, about 
$6,000. The old Turtelott ice house was 
blown down and Potter's stock barn was 
unroofed. The north end of the Main street 
Methodist Episcopal Church was moved east 
four inches. Probably, two hundred chim- 
neys in various parts of the city were de- 
molished. The porches on the west side of 
the Nickerson House were badly Avrecked, 
and the roof of the upper one carried off. 
At Meriden Station the C4erman Methodist 
Episcopal Church was blown down, a part 
of the steam flouring-mill unroofed and 



the depot moved half a foot. The house 
and barn of "William Abbe were blown down, 
loss about $2,000. Frank Chambers' barn in 
Havana blew down, killing four of the five 
horses it contained. William Gowdie's new 
barn was blown down. The east end of 
George Chambers' barn was unroofed. Byron 
Holmes' barn, about three miles southeast 
of town, was demolished. T. H. Frazer's 
granary was destroyed. Levi Morehouse's 
barn was partially unroofed and Thomas 
Irving's barn blown down. Besides these 
were many smaller losses scattered over the 
north half of the county. But the most 
serious calamity was the effect of the storm 
upon the passenger train on the Winona & 
St. Peter Railroad, then due at Owatonna at 
ll:-48. Whilst nearing town at full speed, 
the coaches were caught in the clutches of 
the wind and whirled almost over and over. 
The baggage car turned a double somerset 
and landed right side up. The rear car was 
well filled with jiassengers and was hurled 
over and dashed against a stout wire post- 
fence. It is almost miraculous that none 
were killed, although quite a number sus- 
tained severe injuries. 

On the 30th of July, Frederick Punge, of 
Havana, was run over by his heavy lumber 
wagon, on which there was a load of lumber, 
and soon died from the effects of his in- 
juries. It appears that he had got off the 
load to fix something when the team made a 
sudden start, throwing him down, and the 
wheels passed over his body. 

People's Press, August 17, 1883: "Steele 
County never had better harvest weather 
than the past week afforded. The crops are 
remarkably fine and the farmers are jubilant." 

Mrs. Harriet Knowlton, wife of C. R. 
Knowlton, died of paralysis at their home in 
Lemond Township, September 1. She was 
fifty-seven years of age." 

On Sunday, the 8th of September, 1883, 
the house of Mrs. Smith, in Owatonna, was 
entered by burglars, and the inmates robbed 
of about $150 in cash and jewelry. No clues 



170 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



The death of Cyrus J. Heynolds occurred 
on the 29th of September. He was born 
in " Madrid, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., 
March 15, 1830. He removetl to Minnesota 
in 1862 and from that time until his deatli 
he spent most of the time in Owatonna. He 
was widely and favorably known as a man 
of integrity and an upright citizen. 

G. G. Oppliger died at his residence in 
Owatonna on Wednesdaj% October 10. He 
was a man whom all respected, a careful 
business man, and his death was a loss to 
the community. 

On the 22d of September, 1883, the Bryant 
house, about three miles southwest of Owa- 
tonna, was destroyed, together with all its 
contents, by fire; insurance, $600. 

It was stated on good authority that the 
average j'ield of the southern half of Steele 
County in 1883 was : Wheat, sixteen bushels 
per acre; oats, fifty-five to sixty. 

"William Goudie, of Havana, died on the 
20th of October. He was born in A^^rshire, 
Scotland, August 12, 1824. When seven- 
teen years old, he commenced his apprentice- 
ship at the carpenter and joiner trade. At 
twenty-two he married, and five years lat- 
er, in 1851, he removed to America, locat- 
ing at Waukesha, Wis., where he remained 
eight years, then removing to Vernon, 
in the same State. In 1861 he came to 
Minnesota, locating in the township where 
he died. 

William Jones, a highly respected resident 
of Havana Township, died on the 23d of 
October, 1883, of consumption. 

Matthew P. Hough died October 23, 1883. 
He was born in New York State in 1795, 
and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He 
was the father of B. S. Hough. 

The blacksmith shop and residence of F. 
A. Stebbins, at Meriden, were entirely de- 
stroyed by tire on the 23d of October. 
Loss, about $1,000 ; insurance, $550. 

Robert C. McClintock died at Owatonna 
on the Ith of November, 1883, aged fifty-six 
years. 



MAUKET REPORT, NOVEMBER 1, 1883. 

Wheat, No. 2 |0 80 

Wheat, No. 3 75 

Oats 35 to 30 

Corn 50 to 65 

Barley 50 

Potatoes 20 to 35 

Beans 2 50 

Butter 30 

Cheese 14 

Eggs per doz 30 

Hogs, dressed, per hundred 4 50 to 5 00 

Hogs, live, per hundred 3 50 to 3 00 

Wood, drj', soft, per cord 3 50 

Wood, dry, hard, per cord 5 00 to 5 50 

Wood, green, soft, per cord 3 50 

Wood, green, hard, per cord 4 00 

Cattle on foot, per hundred 2 50 to 3 00 

Hay, per ton 5 00 

Flour, straight, per hundred 3 00 

Flour, patent, per hundred 3 50 

Wool, unwashed 18 

Wool, fleece washed 34 

Wool, tub washed 37 

A serious accident occurred early in De- 
cember, at Owatonna, by which Fred. L. 
Burdick nearh' lost his life. A runaway 
team was the cause. 

December 19 Charles Early's house, just 
north of Owatonna, was burned to the 
ground. 

A destructive fire occurred at Medford on 
the 20tli of December, 1883, destroying five 
stores and a doctor's office. The losses were 
as follows : Capt. Heath, building and pool 
table ; loss, $1,000 ; G. H. Butler, stock, loss, 
$550 ; insurance, $400 ; A. P. Bryant, drug 
store, loss, $800 ; insurance, $600 ; J. F. 
Curtis, drug store, loss, $1,500 ; insurance, 
$1,000; O. Lee's meat market, barber shop, 
doctor's office, store and hall, loss, $2,800 ; 
insurance, $1,350. John Bailey's loss was 
about $1,000 on store. This was the only 
fire that had occurred at IVIedford for over 
twent}'' years, except the burning of the 
flouring-mill. 

1884. 

January 5, 1884, Dr. Morehouse's building 
at Owatonna, occupied by Bennett's butter 
depot, was destro^'ed by fire. Loss about 
$900. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COTJNTT. 



171 



On the 18th of the same month another 
fire occurred at Owatonna, which destroyed 
several buildings. The losses were as follows : 
P. Mallinger, saloon, residence, stock, etc., 
loss $2,000; insurance, $800. Ole Hanson, 
owner of what was known as the Thompson 
building, loss $1,000; insurance, $700; James 
Thompson, loss on stock $500 ; insurance, 
$1,100, loss on household goods, $100. 

Elisha Smith died of consuniption at 
Blooming Prairie, January, 25, 1884. He 
was born in Vermont in 1809. He settled 
in Bloomington, Minn., in May, 1855, and in 
1870 settled at Blooming Prairie. 

John Warren died at Owatonna in Febru- 
ary, 1884:, of pneumonia. 

On Saturday, February IC, 1884, "William 
Davis died of cancer. He came to this coun- 
ty manj^ years ago and was one of the pio- 
neers in Meriden Township, where he had 
lived for some twenty-five years. In 1882 
he sold the old homestead and moved into 
Lemond Township, where he died. 

Patrick Collins, another of the pioneers of 
Meriden Township, died February 5, 1884. 

Nathan Sage died at the residence of his 
son-in-law, Alanson Holmes, in the town of 
Meriden, February 23, 1884. Mr. Sage was 
born in New Berlin, Chenango County, 
N. Y., October 11, 1800. He had been a 
resident of Steele County for about ten 
years, at the time of his death, and was well 
and favorably known. 

A fatal accident occurred on the Chicago 
& Northwestern Railroad on March 7, 1884, 
at Owatonna. A brakeman named Elmer 
Tooke fell under the wheels of a car he was 
coupling and was horribly mangled. His 
left leg and arm were so badly crushed that 
the bones were broken into short pieces. He 
was taken to the Nickerson House, where he 
died the following morning. He was twenty- 
three years old, and his relatives lived at 
Zumbrota, Minn. 

Ambrose Benjamin Tiffany died of old 
age at the residence of his son, Oscar Tiff- 
any, in Owatonna, March 31, 1884. He was 



born in Massachusetts, January 31, 1811. He 
moved with his parents to Cicero, N. Y., 
where he lived thirty-four years, removing 
to Wisconsin at an early day. He came 
from Wisconsin to Rice Lake, Minn., in 1855, 
where he kept hotel for a number of years 
and prospered. He was one of the first set- 
tlers there, and on his arrival found about 
three hundred Indians camped on its shore. 

April 2, 1884, burglars effected an entrance 
into the residence of P. Mallinger, at Owa- 
tonna, and stole $68 in money. Several 
other houses were broken into the same 
night. 

Thomas Foster died at his residence in 
Medford, on the 7th of April, 1884, aged 
sixty-eight years. He was one of the early 
settlers in that neighborhood, a good citizen 
and respected by all. 

J. H. McDaniels died on the 2d of April, 
1884, at his home in Blooming Prairie Town- 
ship, of paralysis. He was about sixty years 
old. 

Dr. R. W. Middaugh died among his rela- 
tives at Waupun, Wis., May 9, at the ripe 
old age of seventy-eight years. He was well 
known in Steele County. 

On the 3d of June, the dwelling house of 
William Siewert, in Deerfield Township, was 
destroyed by fire. He had a light insurance 
upon the property. 

Napoleon Seai'l died at his residence in 
Owatonna, June 10, 1884. lie was born at 
Whitehall, N. Y., June 8, 1823, and lived 
in New York State until 1860, when he 
removed from Cattaraugus County, N. Y.,to 
Owatonna. He was burietl witli Oild Fel- 
lows' honors. 

August MoUenhauer died at his home in 
Somerset Township on the 21st of June, 1884, 
aged sixty-two years. 

On the 28th of July, 1884, (Manser's brew- 
ery at Owatonna was destroyed by fire. 
The loss was estimated at between $15,000 
and $16,000 ; insurance, $7,000. 

SejJtember 3, 1884, Cornelius Hanson was 
killed by lightning while plowing in Lemond 



172 



BISTORT OF STEELE CODNTT. 



Township. The team was killed and the 
man's clothing was almost entirely burned 
off his back. Three stacks of grain which 
stood near by, were also struck and burned 
to the ground. 

On Friday night, September 12, 1881, at 
Owatonna, James Jacobs struck Policeman, 
John Blair with a club, from the effects of 
which he died the following day. Jacobs was 
tried, convicted and sentenced to four years 
in the penitentiary. (See chapter XL) 

Rev. T. Ware died at his residence in 
Owatonna on the 16th of September, 1881-, 
of inflammation of the lungs. He was fifty- 
eight years old, and had been a resident 
of Minnesota since 1861. 

Martin L. Blair died at his residence in 
Owatonna, October 9, 1884:. He was born 
in Massachusetts, February 11, 1801. He 
was a member of the Masonic fraternity and 
Avas buried by them. 

Rev. N. Olson, pastor of the Norwegian 
Church in Owatonna, died October 15, 1881. 
He was seventy years of age. 

A fatal accident occurred on the 13th of 
November, 1881. Ciiris. Behne, of Aurora, 
was run over and fatally injured, dying fr-om 
the effects a few days later. It appears that 
Mr. Behne had been plowing and, having 
attached his team to the lumber wagon, 
started home for dinner, when his team, 
becoming frightened, ran away, throwing 
him off, and the wheels passed over his body 
with the above result. 

George Hart died at the residence of his 
son, William Hart, in Havana Township, 
on the 18th of December, 1884. He was 
eighty-seven years old. Mr. Hart was born 
in Queen's County, Ireland. He had been a 
resident of Steele County for almost eight- 
een years.. 

December 21, 1884, Gilljert II. Russell died 
at his home, in Lemond Township, after a 
painful illness. He was fiftj^ years of 
age. 

In November of this year, another pres- 
idential election occurred ; 2,328 votes were 



polled in Steele County, as foUows : James 
6. Blaine, Republican, received 1,273 ; Grover 
Cleveland, Democrat, 1,006; J. P. St. John, 
Prohibition, 49. 

1885. 

H. J. Robinson died at his home in Owa- 
tonna, January 4, aged forty -one years. He 
had lived in Lemond Township until about 
one year before his death. He was a mem- 
ber of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

In January, the cheese factory at Dodge 
City, Steele County, was destroyed by fire. 

On the 25th of the same month the farm- 
house of C. F. Ellis, in Aurora Township, was 
destroyed by fire Neils Ray and family, 
who occupied the house, narrowly escaped 
with their lives, and Mr. Ray was seriously 
burned. 

S. E. Preiser, of the firm of Oppliger & 
Preiser, died of typhoid fever at Owatonna, 
January 30. He was born in Germany, 
January 1, 1859; was liberally educated, a 
fine accountant, and a good business man. 

On the 11th of February, a fatal accident 
occurred at Owatonna. John Labare was 
caught by his left arm on a belt which was 
revolvine: on a horizontal shaft in the machine 
shop of Howe & Co., and received injuries 
from which he died in about one hour. 

George Parsons died in Clinton Township, 
February 14, 1885, aged seventy-nine 3'ears. 
He was one of the pioneers of the county. 

Samuel M. Ring died in Medford, Minn., 
February 18, 1885. He was born in Salis- 
bury, Mass., February 28, 1806. In 1831 he 
married Lois W. Pike, who with four sons 
and three daughters were alive at the time 
of his death- — one son and one daughter be- 
ing dead. About the year 1845, Mr. Ring 
removed with his family to Chelsea, Me., 
where he resided until 1856, when he came 
to ]\Iedford, and made a home upon the farm 
where he died. 

J. S. Hamblin, of Havana Township, died 
on the 11th of March, 1885, of heart disease. 
Mr. Hamblin was born in Addison County, 
Vt., and was sixty-eight years old at the time 



HISTORY OF STEELE CODNTT. 



173 



of his death. He had been a resident of 
Steele County for about seventeen years. 

On the 13th of May, 1885, a terrible calam- 
ity befell Henrj'- Lewison, who then lived 
one mile north of Aurora station. His 
house was burned down about midnight and 
the following children were burned to death : 
Hans, aged seventeen years ; Lewis, aged 
fifteen; Barbara, aged nine; Berent, aged 
seven, and Samuel, aged four. It appears 
that they were all sleeping up stairs, and 
hearing a noise and crackling of flames be- 
low, Mr. Lewison and wife, hired man and 
the boy aged ten years went down carrying 
the baby. Mrs. Lewison was burned on the 
face and hands, but not seriously. When 
they got down they found the kitchen part 
entirely burned down, and the stairs by 
which they escaped were immediately en- 
veloped in flames. Their household goods 
were all burned. There was no insurance 
on the property. 

On the 9th of June, 1885, Mrs. J. J. 
Guthrie, wife of the station agent at Auro- 
ra, gave birth to three living children — all 
girls. The first child weighed 7| pounds, 
the other two each li pounds respectively, 
their aggregate weight being 22f pounds. 
Prior to their birth Mrs. Guthrie weighed 
155 pounds, after their birth 95 pounds. 
Lnmediately after the birth of the last child 
the mother went into a condition of pro- 
found colla])se, from the sudden removal of 
so great a bulk from the abdomen and con- 
sequent diminution in the blood pressure. 
This tendenc}^ to collapse continued for four- 
teen hours, and it was only by constant and 
continued attention that death was averted. 
At the present time these three little girls 
are all in a thriving condition. Their respect- 
ive names are Mary Kegina, Catherine 
Derina and Winnefred Lavina Guthrie. Dr. 
T. L. Hatch, of Owatonna, was the attend- 
ing physician. He also attended Mrs. Wenzel 
Boucker, at Blooming Prairie, on the 20th of 
October, 1878, when she gave birth to three 
boys, weigliing about three pounds apiece. 



On the 4th of July, 1885, three boys were 
drowned in the Straight River at Owatonna. 
The boys' names were : Milton Rhodes, 
adopted son of Lysander House ; Albert 
Lutgens, son of Henry Lutgens, of Meriden, 
and Edward Erickson. 

Early in Jul}', 1885, John Statler, a 
twelve-year-old son of Nicholas Statler, of 
Deerfield, was killed b}' lightning. 

R. A. Stoughton died of consumption at 
his home in Owatonna, September 19, 1885. 
His death was mourned by a large circle, 
and the community lost an upright and 
honoi'able citizen. 

On the 1st of October, 1885, an accident 
occurred about a mile northeast of Owa- 
tonna, by which John Larson lost his life. 
He fell from a wagon and received injuries 
from which he died. 

S. M. Hastings died of old age at the resi- 
dence of his daughter, Mrs. S. H. Stowers, 
on the 17th of October, 1885. He had been 
in feeble health for several years. 

John Fritze, of Havana Township, died 
on the 2oth of October, 1885, of heart dis- 
ease. He was sixty-seven years old, and 
the father of a large family. 

MARKET HEroRT, isio\t:eber 1, 1885. 

Wheat, per bushel $ 71 

Oats, per bushel 20 

Corn, per bushel 3.5 

Barley, per bushel 30 to 40 

Potatoes, per bushel 35 to 30 

Beans, per bushel 1 00 to 1 25 

Butter, per pound 15 

Cheese, per pound 12^ 

Eggs, per doz 17 

Hogs, dressed, per hundred 4 00 

Hogs, live, per hundred 3 00 

Wood, dry, soft, per cord 3 50 to 4 00 

Wood, hard, oer cord 4 75 to 5 50 

Wood, green, soft, per cord 3 50 to 4 00 

Wood, green, hard, per cord 2 75 to 3 00 

Cattle, on foot, per hundred 3 00 

Hay, per ton 5 00 

Flour, straight, per hundred 2 40 

Flour, patent, per hundred 2 80 

Sheep, per pound 03 to02K 

Wool, unwashed 12 to 15 

Wool, tleece washed 18 to 18 

Wool, tub washed 20 to 30 



174 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Andrew Erdraann died at his home in 
Havana Township, on the 5th of Novem- 
ber, 1885, after an iUness extending over a 
period of two years. Mr. Erdmann was born 
at Strocewo, Posen, Prussia, May 12, 1837. 
He attended school from the age of six to 
fourteen ; was then a farm laborer for about 
four 3^ears, after which he came to Beaver 
Dam, Wis., in 1855. When the Civil War 
broke out he enlisted on the Union side, but 
was soon afterward discharged for failing 
health, and later came to Steele County. He 
was a member of the board of county com- 
missioners for several years. 

Natlian K. Hill died of heart disease at 
the residence of his son, J. H. Hill, in Ha- 
vana Townsliij), on the lOth of November, 
1885. He was born in Westbrook, Conn., 
July 28, 1814, and came to Steele County 
in 1874. 

1886. 

On Thursdaj', February 4, Mr. Joseph 
Waurin, of Merton, committed suicide by 
hanging himself. Mr. Waurin had been 
more or less troubled with dyspepsia for 
about eight years, and it is thought he took 
this means of ending his misery. He was a 
man in good circumstances and iiighly re- 
spected. 

Mrs. Mary A. Hill died February 12, 1886. 
Mrs. Hill was born in the State of New 
York, October 11, 1811. She was mar- 
ried in 1839 to Mr. Wm. Hill, wiio survives 
her. 

,0n Thursday, July 8, 1886, a terrible acci- 
dent took place in Medford Township. It 
ap])ears that Mr. P. J. Webber was mowing 
grass, and his two little children followed 
him for awhile, but finally disappeared. Mr. 
Webber inferred that thej^ had gone home, 
but instead of that they were in tiie tall grass. 
Pie drove along, not knowing that they were 
in so close proximity, and as little Eva, a 
a four-year-old girl, stood in the way of the 
siclvle, both of her feet were cut off. 

In Lemond, Saturday, March 20, 1886, Mr. 
August Jerger died at his residence, aged 



sixty-three years. Mr. Jerger was a man 
highh^ respected bj' all. 

Died in Owatonna, on Sunday, August 29, 
1886, Mr. J. B. Jensen, aged sixty years. He 
had formerly lived in Meriden Township. 

On Friday morning, September 3, 1886, 
Mrs. liuth Ann Partridge, aged about sixtj'- 
five years, died at the residence of her son- 
in-law, Mr. Kobert Lennon. 

Died of old age, at his home, in Meriden, 
on Friday, September 17, 1886, Hon. H. D. 
Lewis, aged eightj'-five years, six months and 
two days. 

Joseph Sawyer died of old age on Septem- 
ber 20, 1886, at tlie home of his son, J. A. 
Sawyer, in Owatonna, aged eighty-four years 
seven months and eighteen days. The de- 
ceased was born February 21, 1802, and at 
the time of his death was one of the oldest 
men in Steele County. He settled in Steele 
County early in the summer of 1856, and 
through all these years had held the respect 
and esteem of a large circle of friends and 
acquaintances. 

Mr. Dennis Dugan died in Owatonna, 
Friday, October 15,1886, of old age. Mr. 
Dugan was an old settler in Steele County, 
and at the time of his death was ninety 
years old. 

J. D. Holden, of Owatonna, died on Thurs- 
day, November IS, 1886. Mr. Hoklen 
was born in New Hampshire and was near 
fifty-eight years of age at the time of his 
death. lie came to Owatonna in 1859 and 
had always taken a prominent part in public 
matters. He was an estimable citizen and 
liis death was sincerely regretted by a large 
circle of friends. 

On December 26, 1886, Thomas Lee 
stabbed and severely wounded John Buttle- 
son in the thigh. His face was also badly 
cut. Lee was arrested. 

On Saturday, December 26, 1886, Mrs. 
Ellen Casidy, aged twenty-one j^ears, died 
at her residence in Summit Township. 

The Owatonna Packing House was built 
in 1886. 







/^^^-^it/ > 




HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



177 



1887. 

Z. Henderson died at his home in Thojnas- 
town, Wadena County, Minn., January 12, 
1887, aged seventy-three years, two months 
and nineteen days. The deceased was born 
in Massachusetts, October 24, 1883. During 
his younger days he Hved in the East, and a 
portion of the time in Ohio. He was mar- 
ried in March, 18il, to Miss Carohne Myr- 
rick. In 1863 he was a member of the lower 
branch of the Vth Legislature from Roch- 
ester, Minn. Later he moved to Steele 
County and lived there until 1877, when he 
moved to Wadena County, Minn. 

M. A. Fredenburg died on Tuesday, 
March 29, 1887, of malignant erysipelas, 
aged sixty years. He was born in Schoha- 
rie County, N. Y., in the year 1826, settled in 
Owatonna in 1874, and a few years later be- 
came maj^or of the city. Mr. Fredenburg was 
one of those quiet, self-possessed, irreproacha- 
ble men who always win the respect of all. 



A fatal accident occurred in Owatonna 
Tuesday evening, April 19, 1887. Mr. 
Kuchenbecker, of Meriden, in company 
with Reuben Grubich and Geo Karth, were 
starting home, and when between Soper's 
wheat warehouse and H. M. Hastings & 
Co.'s flouring-mill, the tongue dropped 
down, frightening the team, which ran 
away, upsetting the wagon. Reuben Gru- 
bick was killed; the others were seriously 
injured but net fatally. 

In June the corner-stone of the State 
school was laid at Owatonna, the ceremo- 
nies being attended by a large concourse of 
people, including many of the most promi- 
nent men of the State. 

Early in October the elevator of the Wi- 
nona Mill Company at Owatonna, together 
with a large amount of grain, was destroyed 
by fire. It was said to have been the largest 
elevator on the Northwestern Railroad west 
of Winona. 



CHAPTER XVII. 




THE CITY OF OWATONNA. 



N the banks of Straight River, a 
little over three miles north of 
the geographical center of Steele 
County, is located the city of 
Owatonna. Its location is among 
the most beautiful, and its sur- 
roundings among the most pleas- 
ant of any of Minnesota's mau}^ 
beautiful cities. Nature seeming- 
ly designed this spot for the site 
of a city, with the broad table-land adjoining 
the clear, sparkling stream, and bounded by 
the range of hills on each side. The change 
from the primitive to the developed state has 
been constant and rapid, as it has been but 
a third of a century since the idea of build- 
ing a city here was first conceived; but 
u 



it has been one continual change from the 
moment of its origin, until Owatonna of to- 
day stands forth, one of the brightest in the 
diadem of " Minnesota Cities." To those who 
have watched its progress from its earliest 
origin until the present time, the accom- 
plished results of bygone years seem like an 
Herculean task, and there is much that can- 
not fail to be of interest to those who have 
been connected and identified with the city 
in all the various changes that have occurred 
from year to year. 

Endowed with many natural advantages, 
aided by the strong arm of an enterprising 
husbandry, Steele County has assumed a 
position among the best and wealthier of her 
sister counties throughout the State; and 



178 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Owatonna, as the first town within her 
boundaries, has kept jiace with the improve- 
ment and advancement of the country by 
which it is surrounded. The city is well laid 
out. There are many substantial brick blocks 
to be seen upon the business thoroughfares, 
and a stroll through the city discloses many 
handsome and costly dwellings. An abund- 
ance of shade trees adoi-n the streets, which 
in summer add greatly to the beauty of the 
place. The location is exceedingly healthy, 
the inhabitants are an educated and intel- 
ligent class, and society is of the most refined 
and desirable character. 

No locality could present more favorable 
opportunities for the employment of capital 
in industrial or manufacturing enterprises. 
Situated at the junction of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul and Chicago & 
Northwestern railways — two of the most 
important thoroughfares of the country — it 
is possessed of the most desirable shipping 
facilities. 

At the present writing the city has a pop- 
ulation of about 3,500. The name grew from 
an Indian word, " Wootcmna,^' signifying, 
straight. The latter name had already been 
applied to the river when the first settlement 
was made here, the river being given the 
English, and the city the Indian title, both, 
however, meaning the same. 

THE BEGINNING. 

The first settlement on the present site of 
the city of Owatonna was made by William 
F. Pettit and A. B. Cornell in the summer 
of 1854. About the middle of May, of that 
year, William F. Pettit, George F. Pettit, 
A. B. Cornell and F. Wilbur Fisk left Spar- 
ta, Wis., for a visit to the far-famed prairies 
of Minnesota. George F. Pettit had been at 
Faribault some time previous, and made such 
a glowing report of the country that those 
who had families took them along, deter- 
mined to make their homes on the sunset side 
of the Mississippi. Seven wagon-loads of peo- 
ple, furniture, supplies, etc., set out, and 



were four weeks in reaching Faribault — a 
long journey, attended with toil, discomfort 
and fatigue, and one that none but strong 
brave hearts would undertake and success- 
fully accomplish. George F. Pettit settled 
at Faribault, F. W. Fisk on East Pi'airie, 
and William F. Pettit and A. B. Cornell 
located on the present site of the city of 
Owatonna. Mr. Cornell made his claim on 
the east side of the river and Mr. Pettit on 
the west. Cornell built a somewhat prim- 
itive dwelling, which was constructed of 
poles covered with prairie grass, but it was 
sufficient to protect them from the storm 
and the scorching rays of the sun, and they 
were all contented to wait patiently till 
a more commodious house could be erected. 
This was the first residence and the first 
building erected within what is now the city 
limits. Mr. Cornell soon commenced putting 
up a log house, just north of where the 
bridge now stands, and had the logs raised 
ready to put up on the roof, when he sold 
his claim to Mr. Pettit, who had, in the 
meantime, disposed of his own on the west 
side of the river to a Mr. Crehore. Some 
time in August, Mr. Pettit had contracted 
with Mr. Cornell to build a house for him, 
similar to the one he was building for him- 
self, but when he purchased Cornell's claim 
the contract was annulled and another made 
that he could finish the one. already com- 
menced. We give the contract in full, as it 
is probably the first ever made in the coun- 
ty. It is as follows : 

"It is hereby agreed by and between W. 
F. Pettit and A. B. Cornell, that A. B. Cor- 
nell shall, previous to the twentieth day of 
October next, build for said Pettit a log 
dwelling house on the foundation said Pettit 
has already commenced ; saitl house to be 22 
feet long and 18 feet wide ; puncheon floor 
below, two doors and five windows, shingled 
roof, logs hewn inside up to beams and mud- 
ded on the outside ; also, a cellar 14x18 
feet, dug so as to be 6 feet from bottom to 
sleepei's ; said house to be one and a half 



HISTORY OF STEELE COTTNTT. 



179 



stories high and put up similar to said Cor- 
nell's, and the said Pettit is to furnish all 
nails, glass, sash putty and lumber for doors 
and the upper floor so as not to delay said 
job and to pay for said building $75. 

"W.F. Pettit, 

" A. B, COENELL." 

"August 3, 1854." 

These movements gave a material start to 
the growth of the embryo city. The first 
track made across the prairies is the pioneer 
of civilization, and the forerunner generally 
of a crowd of immigration, and this was no 
exception to the general rule. . Otliers fol- 
lowed the lead of Messrs. Pettit and Cornell 
and several houses were built that fall (1851). 
lion. G. "W. Green, of Beaver Dam, Wis., 
commenced the erection of a house which 
was raised on the 2d of October, all the set- 
tlers in the vicinity assisting. Interesting 
articles, Avritten by both Judge Green and 
A. B. Cornell, and giving a detailed account 
of the experiences of each will be found in 
Chapter XV. In the winter following, of 
1854-5, J. W. Park and S. B. Smith erected 
a log cabin near where the railroad tracks 
are now located. 

These were dreary, lonesome days to the 
settlers ; far from friends, marts and posts of 
trade, with no one save themselves to com- 
mune with, their lives must, indeed, have been 
" hermit-like." Sometimes, too, a little fear of 
what the Indians might do, crept into their 
minds to disturb their tranquillity, j'et the 
Indians were at peace with the whites, and 
at that time considered them their best 
friends. But at times circumstances would 
occur to arouse the suspicions of the people 
to a high pitch. The following instance of 
this was related to the historian : The first 
year of the settlement (1854) all the provi- 
sions and supplies of all kinds were brought 
from St. Paul, and at one time Mr. Cornell 
went with his team to that town to bring a 
load of provisions, etc., and was absent about 
a week, leaving Mrs. Cornell with only her 
children and a boy to keep her company. 



During his absence a party of Indians, a 
hundred or more, encamped for a time near 
Mr. Cornell's shantj'. Yet they were very 
respectful and civil to the white lady, and did 
not venture into her house. One evening they 
gathered material and lighted huge bonfires 
a little back of the shanty, and commenced 
an Indian dance with all its wild accompani- 
ments of songs and shouts, making night 
hideous with their antics and bowlings. Just 
at this time Mr. Cornell, with his load 
reached the hill about two miles north of the 
town, and, as he gained the summit, he saw 
the flames of the fires, and the dusky red- 
skins dancing in the lurid glare of light. 
His wife and children ! Had they become 
victims to the savage thirst for blood ? The 
thought came crashing through his brain 
with the rapidity of lightning. He did not 
stop long to gaze, but, unhitching his team, 
he stripped the harness from the fleetest 
horse, and mounting him, rode at the top of 
his speed, resolved to know the worst and 
save his loved ones or perish with them. 
Eeaching the ford, his ej'es were made glad 
at seeing his wife on the opposite bank 
awaiting his return, who assured him that all 
were well and glad to see him return as safe 
as they were. Thankful that he was the 
only one victimized, Mr. Cornell returned 
and got his load of provisions. 

When spring opened, in 1855, the settle- 
ment continued rapidly. During the spring 
and early summer the following named all 
came, many accompanied by their families : 
Addison Phelps, Nelson Morehouse, B. L. 
Arnold, Joel Wilson, Dexter Carlton, Parker 
Carlton, Alson Selleck, IST. Winship, John 
Wilcox, two Schimeks, David Lindersmith, 
Leonard and Simeon Case, Bazil Meek, Obed 
Gaines, Miner Prisby, Adolphus Town, Philo 
Sanford, Charles Ellison, John H. and Ezra 
Abbott, C. G. Hayes, John Moon and Mr. 
Ward. Possibly there were a few others. 
All of these parties settled within a radius 
of a mile or two of the present center of the 
city. Many at once erected cabins, while 



ISO 



HISTORY OP STEELE COUNTY. 



others selected claims and returned for their 
families. The only sign of business here 
w-as at the residence of A. B. Cornell, where 
the traveling public was fed and lodged. 
Early in May of this year (1855) Smith & 
Park began keeping a few groceries and pro- 
visions at their cabin near the present railway 
depots. About the first of July, N. Winship 
commenced hauling logs for his hotel. They 
iiKjved into it on the -tth of August, and it 
was opened for the accommodation of the 
traveling public. Tliis was the first hotel 
erected here, and, in fact, was the first build- 
ing upon what was tiien the village plat. In 
later years, however, the plat has extended 
so as to take in the site of Cornell's first 
cabin. In September, 1855, John Sweat put 
up a little cabin and opened a blacksmitli 
shop near where Deeg's wagon shop now 
stands. Later he sold to Joel Wilson, and left. 
In October, 1855, J. W. Park and S. B. Smith 
erected a log house just north of the Win- 
ship House, on Oak street, and filled it with 
a stock of goods which proved of great con- 
venience to the pioneers. Quite a number 
of young men came this year, who only re- 
mained a short time. 

In the summer of 1855 Mr. Pettit sold his 
claim to John 11. Abbott, and soon afterward 
bought an undivided half of Mr. Cornell's 
claim lying immediately south of the one 
just sold. All hands at once went to work 
to buikl up a first-class town. Koads and 
bridges, for the purpose of communication 
with other sections of the country, were the 
first things to be attended to, and with will- 
ino- hearts and stout hands they went to 
work and opened up the roads, bridged the 
sluices and water courses, and soon had the 
satisfaction of knowing that at least an 
important thoroughfare was opened through 
their town. Mr. Cornell, with true western 
energy and perseverance, built a bridge 
across the Straight Rivei- and travel was 
seemingly nearly constant. Not unfre- 
quently were there from twenty to tliirty or 
forty emigrant teams in the streets at the 



same time. Business flourished. Every set- 
tler whose house was large enough to accom- 
modate more than his own family had aU the 
spare room occupied with strangers and those 
seeking homes. Cornell, also, made several 
extended trips in advertising this local- 
ity. A village was platted, streets and lots 
marked out and speculation in city property 
was very active. In the autumn of 1855 the 
county was organized and Owatonna was 
made the county-seat. A postoifice was 
opened this fall ; mail routes were estab- 
lislied and stages were shortly afterward put 
on. In September Mr. Cornell and John H. 
Abbott laid out the town site, comprising 
about 120 acres — about sixt}' acres on each 
of their claims. In November they went to 
Winona and preempted the land, and on the 
26tii of December, 1855, filed the town plats 
in tlie office of Charles Ellison, register of 
deeds. A very I'espectable log schoolhouse 
was also built this fall, thougii the first 
school had already been taught. The old 
log schoolhouse performed a somewhat im- 
portant ])art in the early history of the 
place. Schools were held in it during all 
school terms ; each of the denominations 
used it in turn as a house of worship. All 
the political meetings and elections were 
held there ; singing schools, lyceums and 
prayer-meetings occupied the evenings, so 
that it was kept in almost constant use until 
it was removed and torn down. The town 
projjrietoi's donated about fort}' lots to tliose 
who would erect substantial and useful build- 
ings. During this summer (1855). Mr. Pettit 
l)ui]t the first frame house in the county, on 
the hill in the eastern part of the city. He 
was obliged to haul part of the i)ine lumber 
from Bed Wing, with which to complete the 
house, which cost $107 per thousand, and the 
roof boards, procured at Faribault, cost $60 
per thousand. Such were the disadvantages 
under which the pioneers had to labor. 

With 1856 came renewed activity in a busi- 
ness waj' as well as in emigi-ation, and the 
little settlement on Straight River increased 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



181 



rapidly. The winter had been a severe one, 
but had not depressed the spirits of the col- 
onists. In April of this year Messrs. Pettit, 
Abbott and Cornell bought of Park & Smith 
five hundred acres of land lying on the north 
side of the town for $8,000. This was after- 
ward known as the " Five Hundred Acre 
Tract." Early this year B. L. Arnold put up 
the Eureka House, the first frame hotel 
erected in the county. Philo Sanford during 
the same summer and fall put up what was 
then called the American House — now the 
Central. Elder Town, who had bought out 
Smith & Park, erected a small building on 
Bridge street — nearly opposite Hunnewill's 
hardware store — and moved his goods into 
it. Nathaniel "Winship built an addition to 
his hotel. John Dingman came and put up 
a building near where Rosebrock's furniture 
store is now located, and J. W. Morford, who 
arrived at about the same time, opened a 
stock of goods in it. A hardware stock was 
established by a couple of young men who, 
after a few weeks, sold to E. Y. Ilunnewill. 
Business took long strides forward. In July 
of this year J. W. Morford and John Odell 
opened a store on Bridge street, and some- 
what later in the season Dr. Harsha and 
Judge Donaldson a drug and general provi- 
sion store. Potwin & Stoughton — A. N. 
Stoughton and Geo. Potwin — opened busi- 
ness on Main street, in a building which stood 
where the jail now is located. J. B. Crooker 
came this year and a few years later opened 
a general store. Among those who came 
were M. A. Dailey, H. M. Sheetz, Willard 
Wheaton, Harvej'' Beardsley, Joseph Web- 
ster, James Moore, George Oulton, Eev. II. 
Chapin, D. Potwin, the Odells and others. 

During this year (1856) Town & Buroh 
(Loren Town and J. W. Burch) were engaged 
in the general merchandise trade. In the 
following year Mr. Burch sold his intei'est to 
A. Town, who afterwai'd secured the whole 
business and finally closed out the stock. 

In the spring of the same year (1856) Ezra 
Abbott, J. W. Park and S. B. Smith brought 



a steam sawmill from Walcott, where it had 
been in operation for a year or so, and this 
was set up just north of the bridge on the 
east side of the river. Building operations 
were greatly accelerated. The common lum- 
ber for most of the new buildings was manu- 
factured by it. This mill was in operation 
here for about three years, Mr. Abbott in the 
meantime having purchased his partners' in- 
terests, and it was then sold and removed to 
Faribault. 

In the fall of 1856 Nelson Morehouse 
erected a building and put a sawmill into 
operation on the water-power on the west 
side of the river. He operated this for a 
munber of years, and it was finally remodeled 
into a flouring-mill. A live western news- 
paper was established in 1856 that did much 
toward making known to the outside world 
Steele County's advantages. During the 
same summer Melbourne Burr opened a cab- 
inet shop in a building near where the Epis- 
copal Church is now located. 

In 1857 the growth was not so rapid as it 
had been the preceding year ; consideralile 
railway agitation was had, although not 
more than had been the case in 1856. Dur- 
ing this year (1S57) G. W. True and Mr. 
Potwin brought a sawmill here from Mount 
Vernon, Ohio, a bonus being raised to secure 
it. The mill came in the name of True, 
although Pettit and Abbott were interested 
in it. It was set up just west of the Win- 
ship House. Machinery for a gristmill was 
also brought here, although this was never 
set up. The sawmill was run for several 
years and it was finally removed to Morris- 
town. 

In 1857, the first millinery store was 
started by Mrs. Lambert, in a building 
where the Brooks bakery is now located. 
Mrs. Magoon also started a millinery estab- 
lishment at an early day. 

N. Squires established a meat-market this 
year. William Wadsworth started a jewelry 
store on Main street where the jail is now 
located. The Sherwood brothers opened a 



182 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



saloon. Mr. Coburn started a general store, 
trusted the railway contractors and it soon 
ended in bankruptcy'. 

In 1858 and 1859 the financial depression 
which had commenced with 1857 was se- 
verely felt here. Business development was 
at a standstill. Money was very close ; pa- 
per money was almost worthless and every- 
one demanded gold or silver. The bank 
issue, based upon railway securities, also 
hurt this country sadly, and it is a trutli- 
ful saying that a hatfull of $100 bills of 
such currency would scarcely buy a meal of 
victuals. 

J. B. Crooker established a general store 
in 1859 and among other business interests 
which in early days clustered here should 
be mentioned : Tlie tailor shop started b}' 
Dresser & Goodwin in a building nearly 
opposite Hunnewill's hardware store ; the 
general store started at an early day by 
Bascom Bros, in a building near where 
Greeley's pump factory is now located. 

The same state of affairs, financially, con- 
tinued through 1860 and 1861, while in the 
latter year, the breaking out of the war 
made matters still worse. A great many of 
the able-bodied young and middle-aged men 
left during " '61 " and went into the service. 

In 1862 business began to pick up a little. 
The Indian massacre drove many from their 
homes west of here, and Owatonna, being 
upon a main thoroughfare and the first feas- 
ible stopping point, again became a scene of 
activit}'. The soldiers going through, and 
the fleeing settlers, besides the fact that the 
soldiers in the army began to receive their 
pa}' at about this time, made money matters 
easier, and its effect was soon felt in the 
channels of business. 

From 1863 to 1867 the city grew rapidly, 
and many substantial improvements were 
made. Two lines of railway reached the 
city in 1866, as is detailed elsewhere in this 
volume, and this added new life to the 
growth, although, to a great extent, the im- 
]ietus to business development given by rail- 



way connections had been anticipated,and the 
growth caused by it really began in tlie sum- 
mer of 1 865. From that time until 1S67-S many 
fine business buildings were erected, among 
them being Dresser's block, Kinyon's build- 
ing, Kelly block, Abbott block, Wadworth's 
building, Crooker's (now H. R. Moore's) res- 
idence ; Crooker, Kelly, Bixby and Dr. 
Morehouse erected the row of bricks on the 
south side of Bridge street. Dr. Harsha the 
First National Bank building, Odell & Pott's 
building, "Wadworth put up a brick build- 
ing, Ilunnewill a hardware store, and Soule 
erected the north sixty feet of the H. R. 
Moore & Co. block. The Arnold and Park 
hotels, Howe's foundry and machine shops, 
and other buildings erected and enterprises 
inaugurated. 

The business boom of these years was al- 
most without parallel in the history of Min- 
nesota. The population of the city more 
than doubled, increasing from a village of 
six or seven hundred to a city of two thou- 
sand durmg the years 1866 and 1867. 
Since that time the growth has been more 
gradual, but of a permanent and beneficial 
character. At the present writing the city 
has a population of at least 3,500. 

BUSINESS MEN IN 1868. 

As a matter worthy of preservation we 
here present a full business directory of 
Owatonna in 1868 : 

Attorneys — Amos Coggswell, A. A. Har- 
wood, Searles & Hickman, Delos Higbee, 
Kinyon & "Wheelock, M. A. Dailey, J. J. 
Aiken, N. M. Donaldson (judge). 

Agricultural Implements — Lowth, Howe 
& Co., Allen & Dearborn, Fisk & Medal, G. 
W. Payne, J. E. Buxton, "Wm. Scruby. 

Boots and Shoes — Chase Bros., Lord 
Bros. & Co., Cooper Bros., Morford, Willsey 
& Co., G. F. Albertus, J. Lonergan, Frank 
Yaneck, J. E. Griggs. 

Books and Stationery — C. E. Seaton. 

Bankers — Easton & Kinyon, S. Mills, Jr., 
&Co. 



HISTOBT OF STEELE COUNTY. 



183 



Barbers — Jerry Pope, J. A. Pierce, Louis 
Teabean. 

Bakeries — Mrs. J. G. Cochran, George 
Chapman, M. J. "White. 

Blaclcsmiths — F. H. Cooper, M. S. Quig- 
gle, P. Scliuster, C. Hanson, Hiram Cart- 
wright, Sherman, King. 

Brewery — Mace & Co. 

Clothing — J. G. A. Denerline, Friend & 
JSTewsalt, G. F. Albertus, Soule Bros., Arm- 
strong & Cottrell, J. E. Griggs, Marble & 
Co., Lord Bros. & Co., Cooper Bros. 

Cooper Shop — Peter Hanson. 

Dry Goods — Lord Bros. & Co.. Cooper 
Bros., Arnston & Connell, Morford, Will- 
sey & Co., Armstrong & Cottrell, Siebold & 
Hortsman, Soule Bros., L. Andrews, G. F. 
Albertus, Jo. "Wilson. 

Dentists — G. H. Cole, Miss Kellogg. 

Drugs — Harsha & Donaldson, L. Bixby, 
Bennett & Hubbard. 

Eating Houses — Eailroad Eating House, 
C. F. McNamara, Mitchell Bros., Hiram 
Cartwright, Mrs. Cochrane, W. C. Bosworth, 
George Chapman, M. Lont. 

Earthenware Factory — C. C. Cornell. 

Express OflBces — Merchants' Union and 
American. 

Furniture — J. F. Hanna, H. & J. Hickox, 
Chas. Schoen. 

Flour and Feed Stores — Farmer Brothers, 
KeUy & Tyler, Marble & Co., J. P. Eequa, 
T. J. Clark, Arntson & Connelly, Newton & 
Gross. 

Foundry and Machine Shops — Lowth, 
Howe & Co. 

Groceries — Kelly & Tyler, S. S. Eussell, 
Soule Brothers, G. F. Albertus, Joos & Boll, 
L. Andrews, Siebold & Hortsman, Morford, 
Willsey & Co., Armstrong & Cottrell, Arn- 
ston & Connelly, Cooper Bros., T. J. Clark, 
"William Cleator, J. Chambers, H. Cart- 
wright. 

Hardware — Cottrell & Hunkins, J. E. Bux- 
ton, Thomas & White, E. Y. Hunnewill. 

Harness Shops — O. M. Hammond, O. A. 
Albee, A. Bm-ch. 



Hotels — "Winship House, Barker's Ex- 
change, National Hotel, American House, 
Arnold House, Scandinavian Hotel, Steele 
Center House, Tilden House, Owatonna 
House. 

Hoopskirt Factory — "W. Holt. 

Jewelry — Ezra Abbott, J. F. Young, J. 
Hough. 

Lumber Dealers — Crocker Bros. & Lam- 
areaux, S. B. "Washburn, Backus Bros., Ster- 
ling & Searles, Dean & Co. 

Livery Stables — Twiss & Christie, C. W. 
Hastings. 

MiUinery — Mrs. L. H. Kelly, Mrs. Magoon, 
Mrs. White, Mrs. W. Holt, Mrs. M. J. 
Myrick. 

Meat Markets — J. A. Oppliger & Co., 
Kowietz & Eiedon, Truax & Savage. 

Physicians and Surgeons — E. M. More- 
house, L. H. Kelly, Dr. Blood, L. L. Bennett, 
D. Bodle, D. S. Harsha, J. G. Gilchrist and 
W. A. Ware. 

Photographers — G. W. Chesley, Mrs. J. 
P. Briggs, A. F. Simons. 

Painters — Hall, Beors & Co. 

Planing-mill — Lamonte Gilbert. 

Eeal Estate Dealers — W. H. Kelley, B. F. 
Melvin, John H. Abbott, Ezra Abbott, 
Searles & Hickman, Kinyon & Wheelock. 

Tailors — John Cottier, J. G. A. Dener- 
line, Christopher Fahriess, D. B. Marble & 
Co. 

Telegraph Offices^ A. H. Lee, operator at 
C, M. & St. P. depot ; G. H. Merrill, at W. 
& St. P. depot. 

Wagon Shops — P. Schuster, Sherman & 



Brown, 



Brown, 



Kint 



BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. 



Owatonna's history in a mercantile point 
of view began in the spring of 1855, when 
Smith & Park opened their little stock of 
general goods in their log cabin, which had 
been erected for a residence. In the fall of 
the same year they put up a log cabin on the 
corner of Oak and Main streets, north of the 
Winship House, and moved their store into 



184 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



this. The stock was very small but was 
all that the trade demanded in those daj^s. 
The firm remained in business about a year 
when they sold to Elder Adolphus Town. 
Mr. Town conducted the business in the 
same building for a time and then erected a 
building on Bridge street, near where Gree- 
ley's pump factory now stands. He con- 
tinued the business for a time, when it passed 
into the hands of J. W. Burch and L. B. 
Town. Later Elder Town again became 
proprietor and finally closed out the stock. 

In 1856 J. W. Morford and John Odell 
started a store, stocking it with a full line of 
groceries, boots and shoes. In 1858 Mr. 
Morford bought out Mr. Odell's interest and 
ran the business himself until the spring of 
1859, when W. H. Willsey bought in. Im- 
mediately' after this they added dry goods 
and notions, making it a general store. This 
firm remained in business thirteen years. 
Mr. Morford then bought out Mr. Willsey's 
interest and ran the store with the same line 
for some time, but finally made it an exclu- 
sive boot and shoe store. In 1883 he closed 
out part of this stock and removed the bal- 
ance to Watertown, Dak. There, it is stated, 
he traded it for a farm. 

It a]ipears that the first hardware store was 
started in 1856, by two young men whose 
names have been forgotten. The building 
occupied was about 16x24 feet in size, and is 
stiU on the ground where it was built. The 
young men remained in business about four 
weeks, when the}' sold stock and building to 
Hunnewill & A.rmstrong — E. Y. Hunnewill 
and William Armstrong. These gentlemen 
remained in business together for about five 
years, when they divided their stock, each 
taking half. Mr. Hunnewill remained at the 
old stand for about eighteen j-ears ; during 
this time, however, he made several addi- 
tions to the building, as the trade demanded, 
and then put up the brick which he now 
occupies. William Armstrong erected a 
building on Main street and remained in 
business about four years, then sold to 



George CottreU, who was succeeded bj' 
Hunkins & Cottrell, the latter being a brother 
of George. They were succeeded by Searles 
& Dynes ; later Mr. Dynes sold to his part- 
ner. Mr. Searles remained in business until 
his death, May 24, 1885, which was the re- 
sult of an accident. While handling barbed 
wire a large roU fell upon him, inflicting 
fatal injuries. Parrot & Smith succeeded 
D. O. Searles after his death and are the 
present proprietors. In 1866 G. F. White 
started a hardware store, but only remained 
in business about two years, when he closed 
out his stock and went to California. The 
next was started by A. Knobloch and N. C. 
Larson in 1874. The same year they erected 
the building now occupied by Mr. Knobloch. 
In 1878 they divided their stock, Mr. Knob- 
loch remaining in the building, where his 
store is still located. Mr. Larson then bought 
the building he now occupies, and is still in 
trade. In March. 1879, Thon Brothers came 
here from Chicago and put in a full line of 
hardware in building near Julius Young's 
jewelry store, and are still in business. The 
building now occupied by Crandall & Nelson 
as a hardware store was built by W. H. 
Kelley in 1880. Shortly after this Mr. 
Crandall purchased it. P. Bliss then occu- 
pied it as a book store and the postoffice was 
also in same building until April, 1884. Mr. 
Bliss remained until Se])tember of the same 
year. Immediately after Mr. Bliss vacated 
the building Crandall & Nelson moved their 
stock of hardware into it from the building 
just north of Mork's boot and shoe store, 
where they had been doing business for 
about two years. 

The first drug store in Owatonna was 
started by Dr. D. S. Harsha and Judge Don- 
aldson in 1856. The store was stocked with 
a full line of drugs and was called the " Steele 
County drug store." In 1866 Dr. Harsha 
erected the brick building now occupied by 
the First National Bank, and into this moved 
the stock of drugs. Mr. Harsha remained 
in the drus: business until his death, which 



HISTORY OF STKELE COUNTY. 



185 



occurred in 1880, after which the entire stock 
was closed out. During this time Edward 
Donaldson was also a partner a portion of 
the time. 

In 1856 Melbourne Burr started a furni- 
ture store in a building near where the jail 
now stands. lie remained in business a 
number of years, when he sold to J. F. 
Hanna. He remained in business until about 
1870, then closed out his stock, and began 
farming. James Hickox in 1865 also started 
a furniture store occupying a building 
on North Cedar street. In 1871-2 he 
partly closed out his stock, and removed 
the balance to Eochester. The next was 
started by Charles Schoen in about 1866, on 
the corner of Bridge and Oak streets. He 
sold his stock to F. Kruschke, who con- 
tinued in business until 1870, when he sold 
to H. M. Brown. In 1877 Mr. Brown sold 
to Albert Hafeman who is still in busi- 
ness. In 1869 H. H. Rosebrock opened a 
stock of furniture in a building near where 
Julius Young's jewelry store now stands. 
He remained in this building about two and 
one-half years, when he purchased of J. W. 
Morford the building which he now occupies. 
S. B. Hunkins in about 1873 opened a line of 
furniture in the second story of the building 
occupied by H. R. Moore, Jr., & Co. One 
year later he closed out his stock to H. 
M. Brown and H. H. Rosebrock. A furni- 
ture store was started by P. S. Westburg in 
1874. In 1876 he sold to Ole Ecker who, in 
1877, sold to J. A. Cansdell. About one 
year later, Cansdell sold to Mr. Nickerson. 
D. C. Adams afterward purchased the stock 
and remained in business until 1882, when 
he sold to Fuller & Green. Fuller afterward 
bought Green's interest and in a short time 
sold it to Mr. Graraps. Fuller & Gramps 
remained in business until the winter of 
1886-7, when they failed. In 1879 S. Deutsch- 
mann started a second-hand furniture store 
and remained in this line about two years, 
when a new and complete stock was put 
in. These changes in this line of trade 



leave the furniture business at this writing 
in the hands of H. H. Rosebrock, A. A. Hafe- 
man and S. Deutsclimann. 

In 1860 a book store was started by Will- 
iam Seaton. He had run it but a short time 
when D. D. F. Brown bought an interest. 
Later Mr. Farmer purchased Seaton's inter- 
est and Mr. Spelman afterward bought out 
Mr. Brown's, leaving the firm Spelman & 
Farmer. In 1877 Mr. Farmer sold to P. 
Bliss, and the firm of Spelman & Bliss re- 
mained in business together until 1884, 
when Philo Bliss bought Mr. Spelman's 
interest and continued until tlie summer of 
1887, when the stock was purchased by 
Anson M. Kinyon, who still conducts the 
business. 

The first jewelry store was started by 
William Wadworth. In about the year 
1864 another was established by Burr & 
McClure (Richard Burr and Henry McClure). 
The building occupied was near the present 
postoffice building on Bridge street. These 
gentlemen remained in business together 
until 1866, when they dissolved partnership, 
Mr. McClure remaining in trade. Shortly 
after this Mr. McClure moved his stock of 
goods into a building on the corner of Cen- 
tral and Broadway, where he remained in 
business until his death, which occurred in 
October, 1866. Ezra Abbott then bought 
the stock and in a short time took in a jjart- 
ner, Mr. Richmond. Two years later Mi'. 
Richmond retired from business, and the 
firm became Abbott & Son. Later they 
sold to Henry Birkett, the jiresent proprietor. 
A few years later Mr. Abbott's son, Ed- 
mund Abbott, again started in the jewelry 
trade and remained in business until 1885, 
when he removed his stock to Minneapolis. 
In 1867 Julius Young started a jewelry 
store in a building where now stands the 
Farmers' National Bank. At this time he 
had but very little, if any, stock, simply 
doing repairing. He remained in this build- 
ing about six months, then moved into J. 
Newsalt's clothing store under the Opera 



186 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



House. Here he put in a small line of 
jewelry. In ISfiS he moved his stock into 
a 5Vooden building on Bridge street and en- 
larged his stock, remaining there about one 
year, when he bought a one-story brick, 
which stood on the site of his present build- 
ing. Shortly after purchasing this he en- 
larged it and arranged a fine store. In 1878 
this building burned with all of the fur- 
niture. A short time before the fire Mr. 
Young had let a $2,000 policy run out. The 
insurance he held was for $5,000 ; loss 
$11,000, leaving amount not covered by 
insurance, $6,000. Shortly after the fire 
Mr. Young began the large brick which he 
now occupies, completing it in the fall of 
1878. In 1876 C. F. Warner established a 
jewelry store. He is still in business, carrying 
a large line of jewehy and sportsmen's goods. 
It is stated that the first exclusive boot 
and shoe store was started by Chase Bros. & 
Co. in 1866. This firm remained in business 
until 1869. R. H. Johnson bought them out 
and remained in business until the spring of 
1873, then closed out the entire stock, and is 
now city marshal. The next was started by 
Gottfried Doufner in 1869. In 188-t he sold 
to Mr. Butsch, who is still in business. In 
1868 Wm. Mork came to Owatonna from 
Chicago and worked for Chase Bros. & Co. 
and li. H. Johnson until 1872, when he estab- 
lished a boot and shoe store, occupying a 
building which stood on the site of his present 
store. The structure he now occupies was 
erected in 1880. In 1876 Weber & Son came 
here from Sauk Center and started a boot 
and shoe business. They occuj)ied the Hig- 
bie building until 1879, when the}^ erected 
the two-story brick which they now occupy. 

BANKING. 

The first banlc in Owatonna was estab- 
lished on the 1st of January, 1859, by a man 
who came here from St. Paul, whose name 
has been forgotten. It was opened in M. A, 
Dailey's office, a building which stood where 
Kelly's store is now located. It was estab- 



lished for the purpose of issuing a currency 
based upon the railroad bonds. After a few 
months the railway securities becoming more 
and more worthless, the banker packed up 
his few "traps'" and left. He had brought 
a little iron safe here, the first brought into 
the county, and upon his leaving Dailey kept 
it for office rent. W. R. Kinyon afterward 
jjurchased and moved it into a little building 
just west of where the First National Bank 
now stands. The safe was afterward removed 
to Waseca, when Mr. Kinyon established a 
bank at that place, where it was blown open 
and robbed of $3,000. 

During the year 1866 another bank was 
established by J. C. Easton and W. R. Kin- 
yon. Even before that time Mr. Kinyon had 
been doing a light banking business, but in 
that year the partnership was formed, and 
June 1, they opened their books for regular 
banking business. During the same summer 
they completed the brick building just west 
of the First National Bank, which is now 
used for a milliner^^ store, and in this build- 
ing the firm of Easton ifc Kinyon continued 
business for about five years, when they or- 
ganized the First National Bank with a caj)- 
ital stock of $50,000. The stockholders at 
that time were W. R. Kinyon, J. C. Easton, 
J. W. Morford, E. Y. Ilunnewill, Otis Lord 
and Lewis Lord. In 1874 the capital stock 
was increased to $75,000, and in 1876 reduced 
to $60,000, the present capital. The present 
stockholders are W. R. Kinyon, J. C. Easton, 

E. Y. Ilunnewill, Otis Lord, Lewis Lord, G. 

F. Albertus, C. J. Kinyon, Geo. R. Kinyon, 
R. H. Chapin, II. M. Hastings, Mrs. A. L. 
Higbie, Mrs. James Cooper, Mrs. N. M. Don- 
aldson and daughters, Mrs. M. S. Ilarsha and 
W. H. Kelly. The present officers are as 
follows : W. R. Kinyon, president ; C. J. 
Kinyon, vice-president; Geo. R. Kinyon, 
cashier ; directors, W. R. Kinyon, E. Y. 
Ilunnewill, Otis Lord, G. F. Albertus, Lewis 
Lord, W. H. Kelly and C. J. Kinyon. The 
building now occupied by the bank was re- 
fitted and occupied b}^ the bank in 1882. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



187 



Hon. William Eiley Kinyon, president of 
the First National bank, is a son of Samuel 
and Dolly (Wheelock) Kinyon, dating his 
birth at Ellisburg, Jefferson County, N. Y., 
on the 3d of February, 1833. He comes from 
an early Rhode Island family. His grand- 
father, Joshua Kinyon, was in the War of 
1812-15. The Wheelocks are traced back 
to Vermont; hence, his ancestors on both 
sides are New Englanders. Samuel Kinyon 
was a farmer, d\'ing when William was sev- 
enteen years old. The latter had to work 
hard in his youth, being part of the time in 
a dairy. He had a strong thirst for knowl- 
edge, and gave to books every hour of time 
at his command. He supplemented a few 
terms at the Union Academy, Belleville, 
with much hard study in private, with 
almost every conceivable disadvantage, and 
yet, at the age of twenty-one (1854), entered 
the junior class of Union College, Schenec- 
tady, N. y., graduating in course and deliv- 
ering the valedictory of the Adelphic society. 
The two winters before entering college, 
and the winter before graduating, he taught 
school, following the college curriculum all 
the time and keeping up with his class. 
Soon after closing his studies, Mr. Kinyon 
came as far west as Juneau, Wis., where he 
taught a graded school one year, and subse- 
quently spent seven or eight months in the 
office of the clerk of the court, reading law 
all the time he was at Juneau. He was 
there admitted to the bar in the spring of 
1858; came thence directly to Owatonna; 
was here admitted to practice and continued 
it until 1870. In 1866, in company with 
Jason C. Easton, he opened a private bank, 
which has since become the First National 
Bank, as stated. He was a member of the 
House of Minnesota Eepresentatives in 
1868 ; chief clerk of the House in 1869 and 
1870, and again member and also speaker in 
1875 and 1876, the XVIIth and XVIIIth leg- 
islatures. Mr. Kinyon was originally a Doug- 
las Democrat, voting for the Little Giant in 
1860, and the Republican ticket since the old 



flag was dishonored by rebel hands at Fort 
Sumter. He is an active worker in Masonic 
circles, being member of the Blue Lodge, 
Chapter and Commandery. Mrs. Kinyon 
was Miss Mettie Gillett, of Juneau, Wis., a 
native of Wayne County, N. Y., their union 
taking place on the 31st of December, 1857. 
They have one son, George R., mentioned 
elsewhere. The family attend the Congre- 
gational Church, of which Mr. Kinyon is a 
liberal supporter. The life and character of 
Mr. Kinyon need no eulogy from the pen of 
a biographer. His career has ever been free 
from disreputable methods. His name has 
been prominent in the affairs of his county 
and State for nearly a quarter of a century, 
yet has passed through the gauntlet of 
political strife without a stain. 

Charles J. Kinyon, vice-president of the 
First National Bank, was born in Ellisburg, 
Jefferson County, N. Y., in 18'48. His early 
life was spent on a farm. When twenty-one 
years of age he entered Hungerf ord Collegiate 
Institute, at Adams, N. Y., and graduated 
from the business department. He came 
west in 1871, and in the fall of 1872 he en- 
tered the First National Bank as clerk, and 
in 1875 was made cashier. He acted in that 
capacity until 1883, when he was made vice- 
president. Mr. Kinyon was married in Sep- 
tember, 187-1, to Miss Charlotte E. Ward well, 
a native of New York State. Fayette C, 
Ward W. and Edna A. are the names of 
their children. Mr. Kinyon was city treas- 
urer from 1883 to 1886. 

George R. Kinyon, cashier of the First 
National Bank, was born in Owatonna, Minn., 
May 31, 1861, his parents being W. R. and 
Mettie G. Kinyon. George R.'s earlier edu- 
cation was obtained in the common schools 
of the city, and when the Minnesota Academy 
was opened he entered that institution, and 
was a member of the first class, graduating 
in June, 1880. The same spring he was ap- 
pointed teller of the First National Bank, in 
1881 assistant cashier, and in 1882 cashier, 
which position he now holds. He was mar- 



188 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



ried April 24, 1883, to Miss Alice Hall, of 
Owatonna. 

is. Mills, Jr., & Co. also established a bank 
in 1866. They opened in a little wooden 
building which stood where A. M. Kinyon's 
book store is now located, and the same fall 
tliey moved into the south end of H. E. 
Moore & Co.'s store building. A year or so 
later they removed to the building now oc- 
cupied by the Fai-mers' National Bank. S. 
Mills, Jr., & Co. remained in business until 
1871 or 1872, when they failed. 

Soon after the failure of S. Mills, Jr., & Co., 
the building occupied by them passed under 
the control of the Farmers' National Bank, 
and was partially rebuilt in 1872. In 1873 
the Farmers' National Bank commenced 
business, with capital stock, $50,000. The 
stockholders were: W. H. Burdick, A. C. 
Hickman, C. W. Plastings, W. H. Sherman, 
A. C. Gutterson, E. H. S. Dart, Hiram 
Backus, A. C. Dodge, W. H. Willsey, J. G. A. 
Denerline, A. L. Higbie, D. Higbie, T. B. 
Lawrence, J. C. Backus, L. L. Bennett and 
Amos Coggswell. In 1878 their capital stock 
was increased to .$60,000, and in 1881 to 
$75,000. The present stockholders are : A. B. 
Wood, J. B. Soper, L. L. Bennett, J. C. 
Backus, W. 11. Willsey, D. Freeman, M. W. 
Cooper, A. Backus, C. F. Backus, P. Bald- 
win, A. C. Gutterson, E. H. S. Dart, Neil 
Graham, D. Higbie, A. L. Higbie, E. C. 
Holden, Jesse Healey, D. D. Fenno, W. H. 
Kelly, T. B. Lawrence, Lillian M. Harlow, 
F. L. Murray, H. Birkett, Sarah II. Abbott, 
A. C. Searl, N. P. Jefferson, S. McNitt, O. 
Lindersmith and T. R. Medd. The present 
officers are : L. L. Bennett, president ; W. H. 
Willsey, vice-president ; A. C. Gutterson, 
cashier; C. F. Backus, assistant cashier. The 
present directors are : L. L. Bennett, W. H. 
Willsey, W. H. Kelly, Neil Graham, C. F. 
Backus, J. C. Backus and D. Higbie. 

Leonard L. Bennett, M. D., president of 
the Farmers' National Bank, was born in 
Will County, 111., in 1839. He received his 
earl}' education at Wauconda, 111., taking an 



academic course. He then studied medicine 
with his brother at Richmond, 111., and grad- 
uated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, 
in 1862. In 1861 he came to Owatonna and 
pursued the practice of his profession. Later 
he became connected with the Farmers' Na- 
tional Bank, of which he is president, and 
retired from the practice of medicine. On 
the 21th of May, 1864, he was married to 
Miss Arabella F. Brown, a native of New 
York State. Carl K. and Guy B. are the 
names of their children. Dr. Bennett is a 
Mason ; a prominent member of the Univer- 
salist Church. He has taken an active part 
toward building up city and county; is a 
man of the strictest integrity ; liberal, enter- 
prising, and widely and favorably known. 
He has been county commissioner, besides 
holding various other offices of importance. 

A biographical sketch of W. H. Willsey, 
the vice-president of the bank, appears else- 
where. 

Prof. A. C. Gutterson, cashier of the 
Farmers' National Bank, was born in Wind- 
sor County, Vt., March 10, 1830. He re- 
mained at home until about twenty-one 
years of age when he began life for himself. 
He had received thorough schooling in music, 
and that was his first avocation. Two years 
later he engaged in the general mercantile 
trade, following that for three or four years. 
In 1858 he came west and located at Mazo 
Manie, Wis. Eighteen months later he 
returned to his native town, and remained 
there two years, after which he again came 
west to Wisconsin, locating in Black Earth. 
In 1866 he came to Owatonna, and for 
about five years was a member of the firm of 
Lord Bros. & Co., after which, for several 
years, he followed his profession, music. In 
1873 he became connected with the Farmers' 
National Bank, of which he is cashier. In 
1873 he organized the Beethoven Musical 
Association at Owatonna, and in 1883 the 
orchestra, being director in each. Both of 
these organizations are a credit to the city, 
being well drilled, and composed of compe- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COCNTY. 



189 



tent musicians ; they handle the very best 
grades of music. As will be seen from read- 
ing the cliapter relating to Pillsbury Acad- 
emy, Mr. Gutterson has for years held the 
professoi'ship of music in that institution. 
Prof. Gutterson was married in February, 
1855, to Miss Nancy Stickney. 

MANUFACTUEING INDUSTEIES. 

Manufacturing industries are the most 
important of Owatonna's business interests. 
The following is a list of the principal man- 
ufactories now in operation : Hastings, Will- 
se\' &Edson, flouring-mill ; A. Simpson, flour- 
ing-mill ; McLaughlin, Sheldon & Co., manu- 
facturei's Diamond Feedmill ; T. J. Howe & 
Co., and C. W. Burdic, foundry and machine 
shops ; Schunian & Fenner, and C. M. Lo- 
rence, cigar manufacturers; Orrin Greely, 
pump factory ; Owatonna Creamery, Henry 
A. Holmes, su])erintendent ; P. Ganser's 
brewery ; L. Bion's brewery, and the wagon 
and carriage factories of Charles Schoen and 
John Deeg. 

Hon. Hector M. Hastings, of the firm of 
H. M. Hastings & Co., millers, was born in 
Horse Heads, Chemung County, N. Y., in 
1835. His father, Samuel M. Hastings, came 
with his family to Kendall County, 111., in 
1847. Hector M. came to Minnesota in 1855 
on a prospecting tour, and in 1856 he located 
in Le Sueur County, where he remained 
until 1863, then moved to Steele County, 
locating on section 14, Lemond Township, 
where he now owns a tract of 2,300 acres. 
He participated in the Indian wars of 1862 
and witnessed the hanging of the thirty- 
eight Sioux Indians at Mankato. He was 
married on April 2, 1853, to Miss Mai-y A. 
Eoberts, a native of Pennsylvania. George 
W., Ida and Fannie are the names of the 
children born to them. Mr. Hastings has 
taken a prominent part in all public 
matters, and all enterprises calculated to 
build up city or county have always had 
his hearty support. The enterprise of 
which he is the head is among the most 



important manufacturing industries of the 
county. 

William H. "Willsey, of the milling firm 
of II. M. Hastings & Co., was born in Scho- 
harie County, N. Y., in 1832. He came 
west to Walworth County, Wis., in 1848, 
and was engaged in various pursuits until 
1851, when he went to St. Paul and on 
reaching that village found Little Crow's 
band encamped on the west side of the river. 
During the winter of 1851-2 he worked in a 
sawmill and for five subsequent years he 
was engaged in the logging business, first on 
Rum Piver two years, then three years on 
the St. Croix and tributaries. He then came 
to Owatonna and was elected sherifl' in 
1858. After acting in that capacity for two 
3'ears, he embai'ked in the mercantile busi- 
ness being of the firm of Morford & Willsey. 
In 1885 he became one of the firm of H. M. 
Hastings & Co. Mr. Willsey is vice-presi- 
dent of the Farmers' National Bank. He 
was married January 1, 1863, to Emily V. 
Phelps, a native of Ohio. Maud is the 
name of their only child. He is a Ma- 
son, and Mrs. Willsey is a member of the 
Universalist Church. Mr. Willsey's name ap- 
pears very frequently through the pages of 
this volume. For nearly thirty years he has 
been intimately connected with the growth 
and development of the city and count}^ and 
his name is indissolubly connected with 
their history. 

O. E. Edson, of the firm of II. M. Hast- 
ings (fc Co., came to Owatonna in June, 1885, 
and bought a third interest in the mills and 
since that time has had charge of them. 
Mr. Edson is a native of Pennsylvania, born 
April 7, 1842. His parents wei'e Ilii'am S. 
and Mary (Van Dusen) Edson, both of 
whom were natives of New York, but who 
at an early day removed to Pennsylvania 
where O. E. was born. In 1855 they went 
to Illinois, where Mr. Edson, Sr., died in 1856. 
Later Mrs. Edson married again and in 
1876 went to Washington Territory, where 
she now lives. O. E. Edson remained with 



190 



HISTORY OP STEELE COUNTY. 



his parents until twelve years old, when he 
■went to Chicago to attend school, working 
out of school hours for his board and clothes 
for three years. When fifteen years old he 
went to McHenry County, 111 , and served 
three years at the miller's trade. When eigh- 
teen he went to Colorado, where he follow- 
ed mining for a year. In 1861 he enlisted in 
Company B of First Colorado Infantry, and 
served in the western army for four and a 
half years, receiving his discharge at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kan., in the fall of 1865. 
From there he went to St. Louis and was in 
a mill there for a year ; then went to Wiscon- 
sin and in 1867 married Miss Martha E. Smith, 
of Black Biver Falls. From there he ^vent 
to Eau Claire and took charge of a flouring- 
mill for three years. He was next located 
at Osseo, where he had charge of a mill for 
five years. From there going to Minneap- 
olis, he was engaged in the milling busi- 
ness until April, 1884, when he removed 
to Faribault. His next move was to Owa- 
tonna in 1885. He is a thorough master of 
the milling business in all its details. 

Adam Simpson, one of the enterprising 
millers of Owatonna, was born in Ontario, 
Canada, in 1844. He came to Owatonna in 
1870, and rented a windmill, which he ran 
for a number of years. In 1878 he bought 
the water-mill west of the cit}', which he still 
conducts. This mill has a capacity of 150 
barrels per day, and is doing a flourishing 
business. Mr. Simpson was married in 1870 
to Miss Emma L. Wheelock. They have 
seven children. Mr. Simpson is a member 
of the Christadelphian Church. He is a man 
who stands high among the many substan- 
tial business men of the city. 

C. N. McLaughlin, of the firm of Mc- 
Laughlin, Sheldon & Co., manufacturers of 
the Diamond feedmill, was born in Andierst, 
Ohio, in 1853 ; a year later the family moved 
to Fox Lake, Wis. His father was a rail- 
road contractor, and built a part of the 
Milwaukee road, in Wisconsin. Our subject 
went to New York State with his father in 



1869, and was there engaged in the construc- 
tion of railroads for some time. He came to 
Minnesota in 1874, locating at Plainview, 
where he was engaged in the farm machinery 
business. He came to Owatonna in 1877, 
and in 1881 embarked in the manufacturing 
business. He was married December 16, 
1876, to Miss Minnie S. Melendy, a native of 
Orange County, Vt. They have two chil- 
dren. Mr. McLaughlin is a member of the 
Congregational Church, and is also a mem- 
ber of a number of societies, including the 
United Workmen and Legion of Honor. 
The firm, of which he is the head, does a large 
business, and is among the most substantial 
business houses in tlie city. Mr. McLaugh- 
lin has been mayor of the city, and in many 
other ways been a prominent citizen. 

C. E. Sheldon, of McLaughlin, Sheldon & 
Co., is a native of Jersey City, N. J., born 
in 1854. His parents were Elisha S. and 
Camilla (Crofts) Sheldon. Mr. Sheldon re- 
mained in Jersey City until ten years of age, 
when with his father (his mother having 
died some time previous), he went to Bed 
Wing, Minn. In 1876, in company with a 
partner, opened a jewelry, book and station- 
ery store, remaining in that for about two 
years, when he sold his interest in the book 
and stationery department to his partner, and 
continued the jewelry business alone until 
1882, and during this time Mr. Sheldon was 
interested in the farm machinery business. 
In 1882 the firm of McLaughlin, Sheldon & 
Co. was formed for the purpose of manufact- 
uring the Diamond feedmills, with head- 
quarters at Bed Wing. In 1883 the whole 
business was moved to Owatonna, and Mr. 
Sheldon came here to devote all his time to 
the manufacturing of the mills. Mr. Sheldon 
was married in 1878 to Miss Carrie Brooks, 
of Red Wing. They now have three chil- 
dren : Harrriet P., AV alter B. and Chas. D. 
Mr. Sheldon is a man of remarkable force of 
character and energy, and as a citizen and 
business man holds the respect and confidence 
of all. 



HISTOET OF STEELE COUNTY. 



191 



E. W. Brooks, of McLaughlin, Sheldon & 
Co., is a resident of Red Wing, Minn., having 
lived there for the past t\vent3'-five years. 
At present he is general agent for the Piano 
Harvester Company, and previous to his 
connection with tliat company had charge 
of the McCormick Machine Company's in- 
terests, in Eed "Wing, for sixteen successive 
years. 

The first foundry in Owatonna was estab- 
lislied in 1865, by T. J. Howe and M. F. 
Lowth. They continued the business until 
1873, when Mr. Lowth sold half his inter- 
est to H. N. Labare, and the firm became 
Lowth, Howe & Labare. In 1878, Mr. 
Howe bought the quarter interest held by 
Mr. Lowth, and the firm became T. J. Howe 
& Co., as it still remains. 

Thomas J. Howe, of the firm of T. J. 
Howe & Co., manufacturers of broadcast 
seeders, was born in Lewis Count}', 'N. Y., 
January 15, 1827. When he was four years 
old his father's family moved to Black Biv- 
er, N. Y., where our subject learned the 
machinist trade. In 1854 he came west to 
Beaver Dam, Wis., and in 1865 came 
to Owatonna. Here he formed a partner- 
ship with Michael F. Lowth, in manufactur- 
ing seeders. He was elected mayor in 1873, 
and served three terms, and was alder- 
man from the third ward from 1868 to 1872. 
In 1877 he was elected a member of the 
school board, and served two years, and 
again, in 1884, was made president of the 
board, holding until 1886. Mr. Howe is a 
member of Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at 
Owatonna, and also of the Chapter and 
Commandery. He is also a member of the 
Universalist Church. He was married May 
6, 1861, to Miss Sarah M. Chapman, a native 
of Jefferson County, N. Y. Jesse B. and 
Harry C. ai'e their children's names, both 
living at home. Mr. Howe is one of the 
patentees of the "Light-Running Owatonna 
Force Feed Broadcast Seeder," upon which 
some seven different jiatents have been is- 
sued. He has been active in all enterprises 



beneficial to the city, and has been, and is, 
among the most prominent business men of 
the city. 

C. W. Burdic, proprietor of City Iron 
Works, was born in Rockville, Tolland 
County, Conn., in 1835. He learned the 
machinist trade and went to Hartford, 
where he was engaged in the diffei-ent gun 
works in that city for some years. Mr. 
Burdic's first wife was Mary E. Hill, 
daughter Capt. John E. Hill, of Mystic, 
Conn. She died in 1864, and he was again 
married in 1866 to Miss Cevila V. Moon. 
Ella L. (wife of George N". Tapley, of St. 
Paul) is an onl}' daughter by his first wife. 
Mr. Burdic is an enthusiastic Mason, being 
a member of Blue Lodge and Chapter. 

F. G. Schuman, of the firm of Schuman 
& Fenner, tobacconists, was born in Mil- 
waukee, Wis., in 1859. He learned cigar- 
making in that city, and was in the employ 
of Gelz & Co. He came to Owatonna in 
1880, where he worked for Mr. Lorence for 
six years; then he formed a partnership 
with Mr. Fenner, and they are now doing 
a flourishing business on the south side of 
Bridge street. 

Prominent among the pioneer settlers of 
Steele County is Orrin Greely, proprietor of 
the Owatonna pump factory. His father, 
Ephi'iam Greely, and his mother, Sally 
(Clark) Greely, were natives of New Hamp- 
shire. His ancestry on both sides is Ameri- 
can as far back as can be traced. Our sub- 
ject was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., 
in 1824 ; when eighteen years of age the fam- 
ily' came west to Cleveland, Ohio, and from 
there to Racine, Wis., where the father died. 
May 28, 1846. Orrin remained at home 
until that time, and then moved to Waupun, 
Wis., following the same business as his 
fatlier, a millwright. Two years later he set- 
tled at Kingston, Wis., where he was engaged 
in the mercantile business for two years. 
In 1852 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and for 
' aljout one year worked for the Cleveland, 
Columbus, Cincinnati & Lakeshore Railroad 



192 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Company. After this, a number of years 
were spent in various portions of Wisconsin 
and Illinois, including six months s])ent in 
erecting windmills on the Illinois Central 
railway, south of Chicago, and three years 
in the mercantile business in "Waupun. On 
the 30th of October, 1857, Mr. Greely 
arrived at Owatonna, and during the first 
fourteen years of his residence he was en- 
gaged in mill work and carpentering. Since 
that time he has been manufacturing the 
Owatonna Star Pump, and dealing in iron 
pipes, fittings, brass goods, fanning mills, 
etc. Mr. Greely was married in 1846 to 
Sarah A. Speer, who died the following year. 
In 181:9 he was married to Emily T. McMul- 
len who died in May, 1854, of consumption. 
In June, 1856, he was again united in matri- 
mony, wedding Sarah A. McMullen. Their 
children are as follows : Harmon F., Eddy 
H. and Frank L. The first by the second 
wife, and the last two by his present wife. 
Mr. Greely is one of Owatonna's most enter- 
prising citizens. He has been connected 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church for 
twenty-seven years. 

Henry A. Holmes, superintendent of the 
Owatonna creamery, was born in Clinton 
County, N. Y., in 1828. He came west to 
St. Louis, Mo., in 1852 ; he remained there 
but a short time, after which he went to Chi- 
cago, where he remained fourteen years, 
engaged principally as salesman in different 
retail stores of that city. He came west to 
West Union, Iowa, and resided there eight 
years. While there he started the first 
creamery conducted on the gathered cream 
plan that was opened west of the Mississippi 
River. Subsequently he came to Minnesota, 
locating in Chatfield, having charge of the 
Chatfield and St. Charles creameries. By 
excellent management he brought those en- 
terprises up to a paying and thrifty condi- 
tion. He came to Owatonna in the spring 
of 1887, and now has charge of the Farming- 
ton, Eedwood Falls, Marshall and Owa- 
tonna creameries. His skill and energy 



have already been manifested, and the pros- 
perity of these creameries is now an assured 
fact. He was married in 1850 to Adeline A. 
Dow, a native of Vermont. Benjamin H., 
the only child, resides at Spring Valley. Mr. 
Holmes is a Mason, being a member of the 
Blue Lodge Chapter and Commandery. 

P. Ganser, proprietor of Ganser's brewery, 
came to Owatonna in 1865, and bought out 
the brewery of Knobloch & Manhaim. Mr. 
Ganser conducted this until 1878, when it 
was destroyed by fire, the loss to Mr. Gan- 
ser being about $12,000. He then, witli 
characteristic enterprise, rebuilt, and in 1884 
it was again burned to the ground. Mr. 
Ganser then erected his present commodious 
building, and is now doing a business of 
between 3,500 and -1,000 barrels per year, 
having an extensive shipping trade, as well 
as supplying the home market, and using 
about 11,000 bushels of grain per year. In 
1879 Mr. Ganser, in company with Jacob 
Glaeser, erected the Germania haU and bil- 
liard rooms, and put in one of the finest 
retail liquor stores in the Northwest. In 
July, 1887, Mr. Ganser sold his interest in 
that establishment, and now devotes his 
whole time to his extensive brewing busi- 
ness. During the present season he has put 
in improvements to the amount of $2,5U0. 
Mr. Ganser is a native of Prussia, born in 
1836. He remained in his native country 
until eighteen years of age, when he came to 
America and located in Wisconsin, where he 
lived for a time and then went to California. 
In 1863 he returned to Wisconsin and in 
1865 came to Owatonna, as stated. Mr. 
Ganser has extensive business interests here, 
employs a number of men, and is rated 
among the most substantial and solid cit- 
izens of the county. Enterprises, of what- 
ever nature, which tend to benefit city or 
county, have always received his support, 
and in many ways has he taken a prominent 
part in the affairs of the city. 

Louis Bion, proprietor of the Owatonna 
brewery, was born in Bavaria in 1845. He 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



195 



came to America in 1864 and worked for 
six months in Milwaukee. He came to 
Winona in September of the same year, and 
for six years was foreman in C. C. Peck's 
brewery in that city. He came to Owa- 
tonna in 1870 and purchased the brewer}' on 
Bridge street, which he has since operated. 
He was married in 1868 to Miss Katie 
Schrofer and they have three cliildren. Mr. 
Bion is an Odd Fellow and is also a member 
of the Ancient Order of United Worlcmen. 

Charles Schoen, manufacturer of wagons 
and carriages, was born in Prussia in 1828. 
In 18-1-7 he came to America, locating in 
New York City for one year. He then came 
west to Milwaukee, Wis., where he engaged 
in carriage-making, having learned his trade 
in Prussia. After remaining there for some 
time, he removed to Madison, then to Pres- 
cott. Wis., finally coming to Owatonna, 
Steele County, Minn., in 1862, where he 
opened one of the first carriage shops in the 
city. Mr. Schoen was married in 1859 to 
Miss Elizabeth Myers, a native of Germany. 
They have nine children, Phillip, Anna, 
Katy, Henry, Clementina, Louisa, Lorens, 
John and Frank. Mr. Schoen is a Democrat 
and also a member of the Catholic Church. 
His establishment does an extensive business. 

John Deeg, manixfacturer of wagons and 
carriages, was born in Germany in the year 
1843. In 1868 he came to America, loca- 
ting in Owatonna, Steele County, Minn., 
where he was engaged for one year in the 
carpentering trade. He then embarked in 
his present business. Mr. Deeg was married 
in 1874 to Minnie Staulke. They have six 
children : Lena, Leonard, John, Minnie, Ella 
and Alvin. Mr. Deeg belongs to the Goethe 
Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and also to the Lutheran Church. 

OWATONNA PACKING COMPANY. 

This is one of the most important of Owa- 
tonna's business interests. The company was 
incorporated on the 2d of November, 1885, 
with a paid-up capital of $25,000. They at 

13 



once erected a two-story brick building, 86x 
142 feet in size, which was completed in 1886. 
The present officers of the company are as 
follows: K J. Schafer, president; J. M. 
Schafer, vice-president ; L. L. 'Bennett, treas- 
urer ; B. E. Darby, secretary, and N. J. Scha- 
fer, L. L. Bennett, Neil Graham, J. M. Schafer, 
Henry Birkett, J. C. Backus and William 
Mork, directors. These were also the first 
officers of the corporation, except that Hen- 
ry Birkett was the first vice-president. The 
company have the capacity for handling and 
dressing five thousand hogs per day ; and 
during last season employed fifty -three hands. 
They have a branch house at Duluth, where 
most of their goods are sold ; a considerable 
amount, however, is shipped to Dakota. 

Hon. Nicholas J. Schafer, president and 
general manager of the Owatonna Packing 
Company, was born in Darien, Genesee 
County, N. Y., in 1854. When ten years 
old, his father, Phillip Schafer, moved with 
his family to Freeborn County, Minn. N. J. 
Schafer went to Dakota in 1867, locating at 
Big Stone City; from there he moved to 
Millbank, where he held the office of council- 
man and was otherwise prominent in local 
affaii'S. He was elected to the territorial 
legislature in 1881, from Grant County, and 
still owns large interests in Dakota. He 
came to Owatonna in 1886, and was made 
president of the packing company. In ma- 
sonry, Mr. Schafer is Master of the Blue 
Lodge, High Priest of the Chapter and Senior 
Warden of the Commandery. He was mar- 
ried September 5, 1882, to Miss Louisa Knob- 
loch. They have one girl — Gertrude Louisa. 

HOTELS. 

The first hotel in Owatonna was the Win- 
ship House, which was opened by N. Winship 
in 1855, on the site which it still occupies. 
The building then was a log cabin, 22x16 
feet in size, and from the travel which passed 
through here this little hostelry became one 
of the best known landmarks of southern 
Minnesota in early times. In 1856 an addi- 



196 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



tion, 12x22 feet in size, was erected and vari- 
ous changes and additions have since been 
made. Mr. Winship is still proprietor. 

Late in 1855 another hotel was opened in 
A. B. Corneirs' log cabin, by Philo Sanford. 
It was located on the bank of the river near 
where G. F. Albertus' residence now stands. 
In 1857 Mr. Sanford erected what was then 
known as the American House, now called 
the Central House, which stands just west 
of the Morehouse block, on Broad way. After 
a year or two A. Town purchased the prop- 
erty, and it has since changed hands a num- 
ber of times. M. A. McAndrews is the 
present proprietor of the hotel. 

In 1857, B. L. Arnold erected what was 
known as the Eureka House, located where 
John Shea's clothing store now stands. Mr. 
Arnold ran this for about five years, then 
rented it to D. W. Walbridge and finally, in 
1864, sold to David Barker, who rebuilt and 
rearranged the house, building a new front, 
and the place became known as " Barker's 
Exchange." Three or four years later he 
sold to J. Oppliger, who conducted a meat- 
market there for about one year and then 
sold to Parcher & Bryant, and tJiey fitted it 
aeain as a hotel. Two years later Parcher 
bought his partner's interest, and a few 
months afterward, John Shea became a part- 
ner. Finall3% the whole thing was rented to 
Parcher for five years, and two years later 
he sub-let to a Mr. Brown. He was followed 
by Charles Hastings, who conducted it until 
August 1, 1882, when he was succeeded by 
C. Tryon. Shortly afterward Mr. Shea, 
who in the meantime had become owner of 
the property, sold it to William H. Kelly, 
and its use as a hotel was discontinued. 

The Owatonna House was built and 
opened during the war by George Leick. 
Several years later it was purchased by 
Mr. Engel, and at the time of his death he 
was succeeded by his son, William Engel, 
the present proprietor. 

The Scandinavian House was Iniilt in 1866 
by John M. Joos. For a number of years it 



was rented, and finally came into the posses- 
sion of Olo Elton, the present proprietor. 

In 1866 John Bartsch erected and opened 
the German hotel, near the depots. He ran 
it until the time of his death, which occurred 
in November, 1881, and since that time his 
widow has conducted the business. 

The Arnold House was erected in 1866 by 
B. L. Arnold. Mr. Arnold sold to Charles 
Hastings, who conducted it until 1882, when 
the property was purchased by C. Tryon, 
the present proprietor. The hotel is a three- 
story frajne structure, well furnished and 
conveniently arranged. Mr. Tryon has built 
up the trade of the house until it is now one 
of the best paying hotels in this part of the 
State. 

In 186G Peter Lem started a Scandinavian 
hotel in the building now occupied as an 
office by Dr. Rossbach. It was only run as 
a hotel for a short time. 

The Tremont House was built in 1867 by 
Mr. Cory. He sold to John Parcher and 
later it passed into the hands of J. Oppliger. 
In 1876 W. Nickerson purchased the ])rop- 
erty, and his son Charles is the present pro- 
prietor. 

In 18G8 O. H. Wensell and Oliver Nelson 
erected and opened a house called the City 
Hotel. In 1869 it was purchased by E. B. 
Crooker, and in 1870 he sold to Appleton 
Hale. In 1875 James and George Peachey 
bought the property and the name was 
changed to the Peachey House. George 
Peachey, the present proprietor, bought the 
house in 1880. 

The American House was built in 1875 by 
James Connell. The property has changed 
hands several times. L. Robinson is the 
present projirietor. 

In 1880 Dr. E. M. Morehou.se erected a 
three-story brick building, which was openetl 
as the Commercial Hotel in 1884 by Elmer 
E. Cane. Various parties have conducted it 
since that time. O. E. Ed son is the present 
jjroprietor. 

Church's hotel was built and opened by 



HISTORY OF STKFJ.E COUNTY. 



197 



John Church in 1885. F. I). Albro is the 
present proprietor. 

In the summer of 1887, Dr. E. M. More- 
house began the erection of a magnificent 
briclv block, just north of the postoffice, 
which is to be opened as the Merchants' Hotel 
and it is fast nearing completion as this vol- 
ume goes to press. The building in size is 
one hundred feet front by eighty feet deep, 
four stories high, constructed of brick of Dr. 
Morehouse's own manufacture. Almost the 
entire front will be filled with plate glass, 
while massive iron pillars are used as sup- 
porters, and tiling will be used for office and 
hall floors. The house will be elegantly fur- 
nished and contain over a hundred sleeping 
rooms. The house will be equipped with 
steam-heating apparatus, fire escapes, eleva- 
tor and all modern improvements. In addi- 
tion to this, four stairways will open on the 
street. When completed it will have cost 
$50,000 or more and will be the finest hotel 
in the southern part of the State. 

In connection with this article we present 
biographical sketches of a number of the lead- 
ing hotel men of the city. 

Nathaniel Winship, the pioneer hotel man 
of Steele County, and present proprietor of 
the Winship House, was born in Weston, 
Windsor County, Vt., July 9, 1822, his an. 
cestors being Americans as far back as can 
now be traced. His parents were John A. 
and Amjr (Walker) Winship. Nathaniel at 
an early day settled in Milwaukee County, 
Wis., and in 1855 came to Steele County, as 
has been stated heretofore. He was married 
October 9, 1851, to Miss Emily P. MouJton, 
a native of Vermont. Her people were Eng- 
lish, her mother being a Tabor, a prominent 
family in the New England States in early 
times. Mr. and Mrs. Winship are members 
of the Baptist Church and hold the respect 
and esteem of a wide circle of friends. They 
have the following children — Henry M. and 
Ernest T., of Tracy, Minn. ; John E., proprie- 
tor of a job printing oflice in Owatonna ; 
Alice E. and Frank R. Mrs. Winship's 



mother came here in 1858 and resided here 
until her death, which occurred April 17, 
1881. 

When Mr. Winship and family first ar- 
rived here they lived for a time in a little 
shanty located where the brewery now 
stands. Mrs. Winship states that many 
times when feeding her domestic animals, 
the gophers would come up and eat with 
them. Another time a rattlesnake came 
into the house and laid by the stove while 
the family were at dinner. A common sally 
was as to " whose floor should be kept the 
cleanest." Many families were then living 
in little log cabins with no floor save " Mother 
Earth." 

Cyrus Tryon, proprietor of the Arnold 
House, is a native of Cumberland, Me., born 
in the year 1831. He came West in 1853 
and, having learned the business of locomo- 
tive engineer, and followed it in the East, 
followed that business in the West until he 
had completed his twenty -eighth year on the 
road. He ran the first train into Madison, 
Wis., and for years was identified with what 
has since become the great Milwaukee rail- 
way system. From railroading he entered 
the hotel business, conducting leading hotels 
at both Prairie du Chien and Richland Cen- 
ter, in Wisconsin. In 1882 he came to 
Owatonna, and purchased the Arnold House 
which he still owns and conducts. In 1854 
he was married to Miss Emily Lawrence, 
whose father was a cousin of the famous 
Abbott Lawrence. She is also a native of 
the State of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Tryon 
have four children, as follows : William E., a 
practicing physician of Minneapolis ; Frank 
v., proprietor of the Tryon Hotel, Austin, 
Minn.; Lillian M.,now Mrs. R. O., Philpot, 
of Owatonna ; and George W., a graduate 
of Pillsbury Academy. Mr. Tryon thor- 
oughl}^ understands the hotel business and 
has built up a lai'ge and increasing custom, 
while Mrs. Tryon, besides being an accom- 
plished musician, is an afl'able and courteous 
lady who, as ^ a hostess, has done much 



198 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



toward gainin<;- for the Arnold House the 
reputation which it sustains. 

Francis D. Albro, proprietor of the Church 
hotel, was born in Kent County, town of 
Coventry, R. I. When he was ten years 
old his fathers family moved to Scotland, 
Conn., thence to Norwich, where he learned 
the machinist trade. He was married in 
1856 to Miss Esther C. Arnold. In 1862 
he enlisted in Company C, Twenty -first 
Connecticut Volunteers. He was wounded 
in the battle of Fredericksburg and was dis- 
charged. His wife died in 1870, and he was 
again married in 1871 to Mrs. Abbie C. Fitch. 
He came to Owatonna in 18S6, purchased the 
Church hotel, and is its present proprietor. 
Mr. Church had two children by his first 
wife — Isadore E. and Susan H. — both of 
whom are living. By his second wife he has 
had three children : Frank E., born in Feb- 
ruary, 1871; Herbert E., born May 2, 187U, 
and Cressey A., born April 23, 1873. Mr 
Albro is a Republican in politics, and a mem- 
ber of the Sedgwick Post (Norwich, Conn.) 
Grand Army of the Republic. With his wife 
he belongs to the Congregational Church. 

Michael A. McAndrews, proprietor of the 
Central House, was born in Ireland in 1815. 
He came to America when two yeai-s old, 
with his parents, locating in Lake County, 
111., where he engaged in farming. In 1857 
he, with his father, Francis McAndrews, 
came to Steele County, Minn., locating in 
Merton Township, llis father died in June, 
1872. His mother died in 1878. Our sub- 
ject enlisted. August 23, 1862, in a company, 
and went to Winnebago Agency in August, 
1862. In January, 1861, he enlisted in Bat- 
tery L, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and 
was in service until September, bemg, most 
of the time, in Chattanooga. He came to 
Owatonna in ISSl, and in the spring of 1887 
took possession of Centra! House. Mr. Mc- 
Andrews was married in December, 1872, to 
Mary A. Hand, a native of Iowa. They 
have four children : Abbie A., Willie H., 
Frank J. and John H. They are members 



of the Catholic Church, and Mr. McAndrews 
belongs to the Grand Armj' of the Republic. 

Ole Elton, proprietor of the Scandinavian 
House, was born in Norway in 1812. In 
1866 he came to America, locating in Wa- 
seca, Minn., where he engaged in the mer- 
chandise business for two years. In 1876 he 
came to Owatonna, where he has since re- 
sided. Mr. Elton was married in 1S62 to 
Miss Mary Larsen, who died in 1872. He 
was again married in 1871, to Lefia Larsen. 
Agnes, born in Norway, October 2, 1861, 
Olof, born in Norway, June 6, 1866, Andrew, 
born in Waseca County, April 1, 1868, and 
Carrie, born in Waseca City, November 5, 
1875, are the names of their children. 

William G. Engel, proprietor of the Owa- 
tonna House, was born near Milwaukee, 
AVis., in 1858. In 1867 he came to Owa- 
tonna. His father. William L. Engel, worked 
one year in a brewery and then bought the 
Owatonna House, which he conducted until 
the time of his death, in December, 1872. 
William G. has been running the house since 
his father's death. 

John Bartsch, deceased, former proprietor 
of the German hotel, was a native of Ger- 
many. He came to America in 1851 and 
located in Dodge County, Wis., where for 
twelve years he was employed in an iron 
foundry. In 1866 he came to Owatonna and 
engaged in the hotel business, erecting the 
house referred to. He continued to conduct 
it until his death, which occurred November 
27, 1881. He had been married many years 
previous, and had four children : Charles, 
Hattie, AVilliam and Gusta. Charles now 
lives in Dakota and Hattie in Minneapolis. 
William and Gusta stiU live at home. The 
business is carried on by the widow and 
William. 

William Bartsch was born in Wisconsin 
on the 17th of December, 1863. He is a sin- 
gle man, of good business qualities, and a 
Democrat in politics. 

G. W. Peachey, proprietor of the Peachej' 
House, was born in Dodge County, Wis., 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



199 



in 1853. His father, James Peach}^, brought 
his family to Dodge County, Minn., where 
he was one of the pioneers of Ellington 
Township. Geo. W. Peachy came to 
Owatonna in 1876, purchased the City Hotel 
and has conducted it under the name of the 
Peachey House since that time. He was 
married in 187S to Miss Lillie Cole. He is a 
member of Lodge No. 14, Independent Order 
of Odd FeUows. 

THE MEDICAL PEOFESSION. 

The first physician to locate in what is 
now the city of Owatonna was Dr. E. M. 
Morehouse, who is still a leading physician 
of the city. During the third of a century 
that has glided by since the city was laid out, 
the number of physicians that have come and 
gone have been legion. At the present writing 
(1887) the medical profession is well rep- 
resented at Owatonna by the following 
named phj^sicians, viz.: Drs. E. M. Morehouse, 
Edward E. Bigelow, J. L. Harrington, J. H. 
Adair, G. A. Eossbach, T. L. Hatch, D. H. 
Eoberts and W. A. Ware. 

Eli Martin Morehouse, M. D., pioneer 
physician of Owatonna, was born at Warren, 
Trumbull County, Ohio, March 2, 1835, 
his parents being ISTelson and Sarah Johnson 
Morehouse. His father. Nelson Morehouse 
vi^as a mill-owner, and his grandfather, Eli 
Morehouse, participated in the second war 
with England. Eli M. received an academic 
education in WaiTen ; commenced reading 
medicine when a mere lad, his preceptor be- 
ing the celebrated Dr. William Paine, pro- 
fessor of the theory and practice of medicine, 
in the University of Medicine and Surgery, 
at Philadelphia. At seventeen he had grad- 
uated in medicine and at eighteen com- 
menced practicing at Warren, at seventeen 
having received his diploma from the Uni- 
versity of Medicine and Sui-gery, at Phila- 
delphia. In 1853 Dr. Morehouse crossed 
the Mississippi River and engaged in practice 
at Indepentlence, Buchanan County, Iowa. 
Early in 1855 he came to Minnesota and 



became the first and only physician at Owa- 
tonna, then, since that time he has been in 
practice here constantly, with the exception 
of a short time about the close of the war, 
when, in 1864, in order to have a respite 
from severe labor, he took a trip to Montana 
and other Territories, coupling a mild form 
of gold fever with a taste for adventure. 
He was absent for two years, in practice 
part of this time at Virginia City, Mon. 
After this trip he again resumed his large 
practice here and has since continued it. 
In May, 1871, he led off in the formation of 
the Minnesota State Eclectic Medical Soci- 
ety, of which he was the first president, 
and at the present writing again holds that 
office. He is also a member of the National 
Eclectic Medical Association, having years 
ago received diplomas from the New York 
and Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Colleges. 
In early days, as at the present writing, the 
Doctor was among the best known men in 
this part of the State. There were no rail 
roads for j^ears after he began practice here, 
and his ride extended from thirty to fifty 
miles in every direction, while the absence 
of roads and bridges, and the trackless prai- 
ries form the basis for enough incidents of 
danger and hardships to fill a volume. This 
brought him in contact with a vast range 
of country, and formed the foundation 
for the extended and lucrative practice 
which he has enjoyed ever since. He 
was chosen a member of the State Senate 
in 1877, and in the session of the fol- 
lowing year was upon seven committees, 
including those of public lands, Indian af- 
fairs, State university and library. In 
early days he was a Republican, but since 
the war has been a Democrat. He has held 
many other public offices of trust and has 
been offered many times the nomination of 
his party for others, but as a rule he has de- 
clined. The Doctor belongs to the Camp in 
Odd Fellowship, and is a Knight Templar 
among the Masons. Since locating in Owa- 
tonna no man has been more active and 



200 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



liberal in advancing the interests of the 
city. In 1867 he built the Morehouse 
block or Opera House ; later the Merchants' 
hotel and other important buildings, and 
now has nearly completed a four-story brick 
block opposite the postoffice, which will be 
the finest and largest building in the city. 
A full description of it is given elsewhere in 
this volume. He also owns hundreds of 
acres of improved and unimproved land. 
All matters tending to benefit the city or 
county have always received his hearty en- 
couragement — both with his influence and 
in a financial way. 

George A. Rossbach, M.D., has practiced in 
Owatonna since 1871. He was born m 
Moyenmoutier, France, in 1813. Graduating 
from the Strasburg Medical College in 1833, 
he went with a regiment of French troops 
to Africa in the capacity of surgeon. He 
came to America in 1851, locating in Sauk 
County, Wis. In 1861 he was made surgeon 
of the Third Wisconsin .Cavalry, serving a 
year and a half with the troops and two 
years at a hospital at Fort Scott, Kan. He 
came to Owatonna in 1871. He is an Odd 
Fellow, being a member of Goethe Lodge. 
He is one of the most skillful surgeons in 
the State. 

D. H. Roberts, M. D., homeopathic phy- 
sician, was born near Richmond, Wayne 
County, Ind., in 1824. He received his 
medical education principally in Indian- 
apolis. After practicing a short time he 
accepted a chair of natural science in the 
Whitewater College, and later he was made 
superintendent of the Farmers' Institute 
near Lafayette. Subsequentlj^ he located in 
Pendleton, Ind., where he resumed practice. 
In 1869 he came to Minnesota and located 
in Plainview. In 1872 he removed to Owa- 
tonna and has since been doing a lucrative 
business. The doctor is a Mason and also 
an Odd Fellow. He was married in 1S4S to 
Miss Elizabeth P. Austin, a native of Phil- 
adelphia. 

Edward E. Bigelow, M. D., was born in 



Akron, Ohio, in 1841, where he spent his 
early life. In 18.50 removed witli his fath- 
ead's family to Lake Mills, Jefferson County, 
Wis., where he received an academical 
education and then began the study of 
medicine and surgery, which was interrupted 
by the War of the Rebellion. He enlisted in 
Gen. Fremont's body-guard, at Milwaukee, 
1861, but was rejected on account of being 
unfit for cavalry service. He re-enlisted in 
1862 and was appointed sergeant of Company 
D, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteers, and 
was discharged, on account of disability, in 
1863. He pursued the study of his pro- 
fession in the office of his preceptor till the 
fall of 1865, when he entered the medical 
college of the University of Michigan. 
Having received the degrees of doctors of 
medicine and surgery, in March, 1867, he 
immediately entered upon the duties of his 
profession at Milan, Mich. In 1873 removed 
to Manchester. On July 5, 1877, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Ella A. Eeles, 
of Waterloo, N. Y., and in the fall of the 
same year removed to Owatonna, ]\Iinn., 
and is now very actively engaged in his 
chosen profession, having a large and in- 
creasing practice. The doctor is a member 
of the Minnesota State Medical Association 
and of the American Medical Association. 
In Masonry he is a member of the Blue 
Lodge, Owatonna Royal Arch Chapter No. 
15, and of Cyrene Commandery No. 9 of 
Owatonna. He is an Odd Fellow and a 
member and surgeon of James A. Goodwin 
Post, Grand Army of the Republic, No. 81. 
The doctor and Mrs. Bigelow have two little 
girls — Edna Louisa, born December 17, 
1879, and Marian E., born August 13, 1884. 
Theodore L. Hatch, M. D., of Owatonna, 
was born in Broome County, N. Y., the 20th 
of January, 1848. When he was two years old 
his parents removed with him to Washing- 
ton County, Wis., where they resided till he 
was six years of age, when they moved to 
Plainville, Adams County, Wis. Dr. Hatch 
received a good common school education 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



201 



and at the age of twenty engaged in the 
avocation of teaching. In the spring of 
1867 he commenced the study of medicine 
at Neillsville, Wis., and took his medical 
degree at the University of Michigan on the 
29th of March, 1871. In the final examin- 
ation for the degree of doctor of medicine 
he stood at the head of his class in anatomy 
and physiology, and obstetrics and gynae- 
cology. He practised at Neillsville, Wis., 
during the summer of 1871, coming to Steele 
County in October of that year. During 
the winter of 1871-2 he taught school at 
Aurora station, engaging in practice outside 
of school hours. In the spring of 1872 he 
moved to Blooming Prairie and practiced 
medicine, engaging also with his brother in 
the drug business. In May, ISSO, he became 
a resident of Owatonna, where he has since 
resided. He is at present county physician 
of Steele County, this being the fourth term 
he has held that position. 

J. L. Harrington, M. D., was born in Wind- 
ham County, Vt., in 1810. From the age of 
nineteen to twentj'-two, he studied medicine 
and taught school alternately. He gradu- 
ated in medicine June 3, 1862, from the 
University of Vermont, and soon commenced 
to practice at Weston. In 1861 he enlisted 
in Compan}' I, Fourth Volunteer Infantry, 
and was subsequently promoted to assistant 
surgeon in the First Vermont Heavy Artil- 
lery. In 1866 he went to Halifax and 
resumed his practice, remaining there until 
1881. During his residence there he was a 
member of the State constitutional conven- 
tion in 1872. In 1878 was elected to the 
legislature, and was chairman of the State 
board of supervisors of the insane in 1879 
and 1880. In 1881, on account of failing- 
health, he came west and located in Owa- 
tonna. On February 2, 1867, he was married 
to Mrs. Catharine Tenney, a native of New 
Hampshire. William E. is the name of their 
only son. Mrs. S. E. Nelson, of Owatonna, 
is a daughter of Mrs. Harrington bj^ her 
former marriage. Dr. Harrington is a skill- 



ful surgeon and a splendid physician, and 
has a lucrative practice. 

J. II. Adaii", M. D., was born in Havana 
Township, Steele County, in 1858, his people 
being the first settlers in that locality. Dr. 
Adair received his early education at Owa- 
tonna, and later took a course at Carleton 
College, JSTorthfield. In 1880 he went to 
Chicago, entered Rush Medical College and 
graduated from that institution in 1883. He 
began to practice at Winnebago City, Minn., 
but a year later came to Owatonna, where 
he is now practicing. September 15, 1887, 
he was married to Miss Mary L. Davidson, 
daughter of William Davidson, of Owatonna. 

PRESENT BUSINESS. 

At the present writing (August, 1887) the 
general business of Owatonna, in the various 
lines of trade, is represented by the following- 
named gentlemen and firms : 

General Merchandise — G. F. Albertus, J. 
Oppliger & Co., A. Kasper, Soukup Bros., 
Nelson & Jefts, J. C. Jahreiss, Petrich & 
Speckeen, M. Leary, T. H. Kelly & Co. and 
W. Holt. 

Exclusive Dry Goods — H. E. Moore, Ji-., 
& Co. and J. L. Saxton. 

Groceries — Twiford & Sperr}', E. Downie 
& Co., A. Mudeking, Wm. Davidson, E. W. 
Piper, E. W. Clarke, Stowers & Jeiferson, E. 
F. Eequa. 

Clothing — John Shea, H. Katz & Co. and 
J. Schulein. 

Hardware — E. Y. Hunnewill, Thon Bros., 
Crandall & Nelson, Parrott & Smith, A. 
Knobloch and N. C. Larson. 

Drugs — F. M. Banter, Wm. Gauswitz & 
Co., C. Peterson and Luers ife Luers. 

Boots and Shoes — AVilliam Mork, Nichols 
& Hall, Weber & Son and J. A. Butsch. 

Jewelry — Henrjr Birkett, Julius F. Young 
and C. F. Warner. 

Lumber — Laird, Norton & Co. (George 
Clark, manager), J. Z. Barncard & Co. and 
Wisconsin Lumber Company (Mclndoe Alex- 
ander, manager). 



202 



HISTORY OF STEELE COCNTY. 



Saloons • — Emil Theimer. J. Glaeser, Chas. 
Kenmoth, Joseph Hoflfman, T. Fedder, Bion 
& Hoffman, W. Watowa, Joseph Kubat, M. 
Kyan, Mrs. Bartsch, Anton Belina and 
Thompson & Wightman. 

Flour and Feed — J. W. Gillett. Nearly 
all of the grocery stores also handle flour 
and feed. 

Marble Works — Webb & Hemingway, 
Byrne & McDonald and A. Meyer. 

Agricultural Implements — Buxton & 
Jones, McLaughlin & Larson, R. H. Chapin, 
M. S. Quiggle, Crandall & Nelson, Virtue & 
Co. and Hotchkiss & Co. 

Pump Factor}^ — Orrin Greeley. 

Diamond Feedmill Manufacturers — Mc- 
Laughlin, Sheldon & Co. 

Blacksmith Shops — Brown & McEostie, 
Homer Wardwill, C. Zannetti, Ben. Meix- 
ner, E. Deininger, H. Cartright, C. Hanson, 
M. S. Quiggle and C. F. Smith. 

Wagon Shops — C. Schoen, Ben Meixner, 
John Deeg, E. Deininger and H. Cartright. 

Liverjr — Fred Eosskopf and E. H. Chapin. 

Confectionery — Chas. Chenoweth, W. 
Dennis. 

Bakeries — C. Chenoweth and Mr. Brooks. 

Harness Shops — H. F. Luce & Son, 0. 
Butsch, Meyer Brothers, C. Bowers and O. 
M. ILimmond. 

Shoemakers — J. Lee, O. Searle, J. E. 
McLeod and J. Bartosch. 

Merchant Tailors — John Cottier, N. W. 
Hanson and D. Banks. 

Barbers — Jerry Pope, Parker Brothers, 
Boggs & Essex, N. G. Frisco and Andrew 
Sanderline. 

Books and Stationery — A. M. Kinyon. 
Several drug stores also handle a light stock 
of this line of goods. 

Grain — Pratt & Co., Soper & Son, J. S. 
Austin. 

Photographers — G. W. Chesley and H. 
Midler. 

Dentists — Doctors Medd, Searle and 
Stearns. 

Eeal Estate — B. S. Cook. 



Meat Markets — Owatonna Packing Com- 
pany, Charles Meschke, Gus Sckwanke, 
Boice & Forsyth and John Stranski & Co. 

CITY GOVERNMENT. 

In this connection we pi-esent a complete 
list of the officers who have managed the 
various departments of the city government 
from the incorporation of the city in 1865, 
to the present time, inclusive : 

OFFICERS, 1S05-6. 

Mayor, G. B. Hall ; recorder, A. M. Kin- 
yon ; assessor, J. W. Dresser ; treasurer, J. 

B. Hooker ; city marshal, W. Wheaton ; city 
justice, A.N. Stoughton ; city attorney, J. B. 
Searles ; city surveyor, L. Bixby ; official 
paper, Plaindealer. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, W. H. Willsey, 
W. E. Kin3'on ; justice, A. Chambers ; street 
commissioner, S. N. Sargent; constable, 
James Connell. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, J. A. Oppliger, 
J. B. Crooker; justice, I. P. Eequa; street 
commissioner, A. Odell; constable, Wm. 
Curtis. • 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, W. Scruby, J. 
Donaldson ; justice, Philo Bliss ; street com- 
missioner, M. H. Franklin ; constable, J. B. 
Hooker. 

Board of Education. — At large, D. S. Har- 
sha, C. L. Tappan ; first ward, Seth Hotch- 
kiss ; second ward, A. Town ; third ward, D. 
W. Burch. 

OFFICERS, 1866-7. 

Mayor, A. N. Stoughton ; recorders, A. M. 
Kinyon, C. S. Crandall ; assessor, J. Cham- 
bers; treasurer, G. B. Hall; street commis- 
sioner, S. N. Sargent; city marshal, W. 
Wheaton ; cit}' justice, C. C. Cornell ; city 
attorney, J. B. Searles; city surveyor, L. 
Bixby ; official paper, Plaindealer. 

First IT a/r/.— Aldermen, W. H. Willsey, -, 
W. E. Kinyon ; constable, James Connell ; 
justice, A. Chambers. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, J. Newsalt, II. 

C. Eld red ; justice, I. P. Eequa ; constable, 
William Curtis. 



HISTORY OF STEELE CODNTV. 



203 



Third Ward. — Aldermen, William Scruby, 
H. J. Lewis, J. A. Oppliger ; justice, Philo 
Bliss ; constables, C. G. Smith, H. A. Tiffany. 

Board of Education. — At large, D. S. 
Harsha, C. L. Tappan ; first ward, Seth 
Hotchkiss; second ward, A. Town; third 
ward, D. W. Burch. 

OFFICERS, 1867-8. 

Mayor, S. B. "Washburn ; recorder, Isaac 
"W. Burch ; assessor, L. E. Kawson ; treas- 
urer, G. B. Hall; street commissioners, H. 
J. Lewis, C. L. Gardner; cit}^ marshal, M. 
J. Toher ; city justice, H. H. Johnson ; city 
attorney, J. B. Searles ; city surveyor, J. H. 
Abbott ; official paper, Joitrnal. 

First Wai'd. — Aldermen, W. R. Kinyon, 
Clarke Chambers, W. H. Willsey ; constable, 
Levi Frank ; justice, Addison Phelps. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, H. C. Eldred, 
N. "Winship, J. Donaldson ; constable, none ; 
justice, H. A. Beers. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, J. A. Oppliger, 
J. Donaldson, J. S. Fuller; constable, I. W. 
Hanks; justice, M. F. Lowth. 

Board of Education. — At large, D. S. 
Harsha, S. S. Eussell ; first ward, S. Hotch- 
kiss, I. J. Fuller ; second ward, A. Town ; 
third ward, D. W. Burch. 

OFFICERS, 1868-9. 

Mayor, J. W. Morford ; recorder, Isaac 
W. Burch ; assessor, E. Scannel ; treasurer, 
S. Hotchkiss ; street commissioner, A. 
Phelps; city marshal, I. W. Hanks; city 
justice, H. H. Johnson ; city attorney, J. B. 
Searles ; city surveyor, J. li. Abbott ; offi- 
cial paper. Journal. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, C. Chambers, J. 

A. Armstrong, Chas. Dennijes ; constables, 
none ; justice, Wm. Dean. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, N. Winship, D. 

B. Marble ; constable, J. B. Hooker ; jus- 
tice, H. A. Beers. 

Third Wa7'd. — Aldermen, T. J. Howe, K. 
D. Chase ; justice, Wm. Davidson ; consta- 
ble, I. W. Hanks. 

Board of Education. — At large, S. S. Rus- 



sell, S. B. Washburne ; first ward, I. J. Ful- 
ler ; second ward, P. S. Smith, John Odell ; 
third ward, Wm. Davidson. 

OFFICERS, 1869-70. 

Mayor, A. N. Stoughton ; recorder, Isaac 
W. Burch ; assessor, E. Scannel ; treasurer, 
J. Chambers ; street commissioner, M. J. 
Toher; city marshal, I. W. Hanks; city jus- 
tice, H. A. Beers ; city attorney, J. B. 
Searles ; city surveyor, J. H. Abbott ; offi- 
cial paper, Journal. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, J. A. Armstrong, 
Lewis Lord ; constable, James Cornell ; jus- 
tice, T. G. Patch. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, D. B. Marble, 
L. E. Rawson ; justice, L. B. Town ; consta- 
ble, H. A. Tiffany. 

TJdrd Ward. — Aldermen, K. D. Chase, 
T. J. Howe, H. Backus; constable, I. W. 
Hanks ; justice, Philo Bhss. 

Board of Education. — At large, G. B. 
Hall, M. F. Lowth ; first ward, B. F. Melvin ; 
second ward, John Odell, D. S. Harsha; 
third ward, D. W. Burch. 

. OFFICERS, 1870-71. 

Mayor, H. II. Johnson ; recorder, Isaac 
Burch ; assessor, Seth Hotchkiss ; treasurer, 
J. Chambers ; street commissioner, L. Gil- 
bert ; city marshal, I. W. Hanks ; city jus- 
tice, H. A. Beers; city attorney, J. B. 
Searles ; city surveyor, J. H. Abbott ; offi- 
cial paper. Journal. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, J. A. Armstrong, 
R. C. Olin, Lewis Lord; constable, James 
Cornell; justice, T. G. Patch. 

Second Ward. — -Aldermen, D. B. Marble, 
L. E. Rawson ; constable, E. R. Fenno ; jus- 
tice, Samuel Collins. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, T. J. Howe, 
H. Backus ; justice, Philo Bliss ; constable, I. 
W. Hanks. 

Board of Education. — At large, G. B. 
Hall, G. C. Tanner: first ward, Charles S. 
Crandall ; second ward, D. S. Harsha ; third 
ward, D. W. Burch. 



Si()4 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



OFFICERS, 1871-2. 

Mayor, R. C. Olin ; recorder, Isaac "W. 
Burch ; assessor, Seth Hotchkiss ; treasurer, 
J. "Chambers; street commissioner, James 
Cotter ; city marshal, I. W. Hanks ; city 
justice, H. H. Johnson ; city attorney, Lewis 
L. Wheelock ; city surveyor, J. H. Abbott ; 
official paper. Journal. 

First IFa^Y/.— Aldermen, E. C. Olin, T. W. 
Irving, W. H. Sherman ; constable, James 
Connell ; justice, T. G. Patch. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, D. B. Marble, 
E. A. Tyler ; justice, M. L. Blair ; constable, 
R. G. Chittenden. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, H. Backus, J. E. 
Buxton ; justice, J. S. Austin ; constable, 
O. G. Evenson. 

Board of Education. — At large, G. C. 
Tanner, Lewis L. Wheelock; first ward, 
Charles S. Crantlall ; second ward, E. H. S. 
Dartt ; third ward, D. W. Burch. 

OFFICERS, 1872-3. 

Mayors, "W. II. Kelly, J. A. Oppliger; 
recorder, Isaac "W. Burch; assessor, Seth 
Hotchkiss ; treasurer, Joseph Chambers ; 
street commissioner, S. J. Loomis ; city mar- 
shal, D. Whipple; city justice, H.H.Johnson; 
city attornej', J. M. Burlingame ; city sur- 
veyor, B. S. Wheeler ; official paper, Journal. 
First Ward. — Aldermen, T. W. Irving, 
W. H. Sherman, W. II. Willsey ; justice, T. 
G. Patch ; constable, James Connell. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, E. A. Tyler, 
A. C. Dodge ; justice, C. C. Cornell ; con- 
stable, D. Whipple. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, H.Backus, J. E. 
Buxton ; justice, J. S. Austin ; constable, A. 
E. Simons. 

Board of Education. — At large, Lewis L. 
Wheelock, G. C. Tanner; first ward, Chas. 
S. Crandall ; second ward, E. H. S. Dartt ; 
third ward, D. W. Burch. 

OFFICERS, 1873-^. 
Maj'or, T. J. Howe ; recorder, Isaac W. 
Burch ; assessor, D. W. Burch ; treasurer, 
Joseph Chambers ; street commissioner, S. J. 



Loomis ; city marshal, E. L. Paddock ; city 
justice, T. G. Patch ; city attorney, J. M. 
Burlingame ; city surveyor, B. S. Wheeler ; 
official pa])er, Journal. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, T. W. Irving, 
Seth Hotchkiss ; justice, H. H. Johnson ; 
constable, Theo. Dean. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, A. C. Dodge, 
Titus Case ; justice, C. C. Cornell ; consta- 
ble, E. R. Fenno. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, H. Backus, J. 
E. Buxton ; justice, Wm. Davidson ; consta- 
ble, H. A. Tiffany. 

Board of Education. — At large, G. C. 
Tanner, John A. Spelman ; first ward, A. 
N. Stoughton ; second ward, E. H. S. Dartt ; 
third ward, D. W. Burch. 

OFFICERS, 187-1—5. 

Mayor, T. J. Howe; recorder, Isaac W. 
Burch ; assessor, Seth Hotchkiss ; treasurer, 
Joseph Chamljers ; street commissioner, P. 
Brennan ; city marshal, S. H. Stowers ; city 
justices, T. G. Patch, N^. M. Donaldson ; 
city attorney, J. M. Burlingame ; city sur- 
veyor, J. II. Abbott ; official paper. Journal. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, Seth Hotchkiss, 
Clarke Chambers ; justice, H. H. Johnson ; 
constable, P. R. Pike. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, Titus Case, N. 
M. Donaldson : justice, Isaac Howe ; consta- 
ble, G. F. Doolittle. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen J. E. Buxton, 
Geo. Wilson ; justice, Wm. Davidson ; con- 
stable, H. A. Tiffany. 

Board of Education. — At large, G. C. 
Tanner, John A. Spelman; first ward, A. N. 
Stoughton ; second ward, E. H. S. Dartt ; 
third ward, II. W. Pratt. 

OFFICERS, 1875-6. 

Mayor, T. J. Howe ; recorder, Isaac W. 
Burcii; assessor, Seth Hotchkiss; treasur- 
er, J. Chambers ; street commissioner, P. 
Brennan ; city marshal, S. H. Stowers ; city 
justice, N. M. Donaldson ; city attorney, J. 
M. Burlingame ; cit}' surve3'Oi', J. H. Abbott ; 
official paper, Journal. 



HISTORY OJ" STEELE COUNTY. 



205 



First Ward. — Aldermen, Clarke Cham- 
bers, A. Knobloch ; justice, il. H. Johnson ; 
constable, S. H. Stowers. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, N. M. Donald- 
son, E. Donaldson; justices, Isaac Howe, 
H. A. Beers ; constable, Wm. Furman. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, J. E. Buxton, 
Geo. Wilson ; justice, Wm. Davidson ; con- 
stable, H. A. Tiflfany. 

Board of Education. ■ — At large, G. C. 
Tanner, J. C. Ellis; first ward, A. N. 
Stoughton ; second ward, E. H. S. Dartt ; 
third ward, H. W. Pratt. 

OFFICERS, 1876-7. 

Mayor, N. M. Donaldson ; recorder, Isaac 
W. Burch ; assessor, L. E. Eawson, treasurer, 
J. Chambers ; street commissioner, P. Bren- 
nan, city marshal, J. B. Putney; city justice, 
N. M. Donaldson ; city attorney, J. M. Burlin- 
game ; city surveyor, J. H. Abbott ; oiBcial 
paper. People's Press. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, A. Knobloch, 
J. E. Fox ; justice, H. H. Johnson ; constable, 
George Van Dusen. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, E. Donaldson, 
J. C. Ellis ; justice, H. A. Beers ; constable, 
Wm. Furman. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, E. Easton, Jas. 
Thompson ; justice, Wm. Davidson ; consta- 
ble, H. A. Tifi^any. 

Board of Education. — At large, H. W. 
Pratt, J. C. Ellis ; first ward, W. A. Dynes, 
E. H. Chapin ; second ward, E. H. S. Dartt ; 
third ward, C. G. Earley. 

OB'FICEKS, 1877-8. 

Mayor, M. A. Fredenburg ; recorder, Isaac 
W. Burch; assessor, E. Easton; treasurer, 
Joseph Chambers ; street commissioner, P. 
Brennan ; city marshal, S. II. Stowers ; city 
justice, N. M. Donaldson ; city attorney, J. 
M. Burlingame ; city surveyor, J. H. Abbott ; 
official paper. Review. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, J. E. Fox, A. 
Knobloch ; justice, II. F. Luce ; constable, 
none. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, E. Donaldson, 



J. C. Ellis ; justice, H. A. Beers ; constable, 
E. M. Arnold. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, James Thomp- 
son, C. H. Eandall; justice, E. C. Culver; 
constable, H. A. Tiffany. 

Board of Education. — At large, J. C. Ellis, 
J. E. Truesdell ; first ward, G. C. Tanner ; 
second ward, W. A. Dynes; third ward, T. 
J. Howe. 

OFFICERS, 1878-9. 

Mayor, M. A. Fredenburg ; recorder, I. W. 
Burch ; assessor, E. Easton ; treasurer, Joseph 
Chambers ; street commissioner, J. C. Ault ; 
city marshal, S. H. Stowers ; city justice, N. 
M. Donaldson ; city attorney, J. M. Burlin- 
game ; city surveyor, J. H. Abbott ; official 
paper, Oicatonna Journal. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, A. Knobloch, A. 
C. Gutterson ; justice, H. F. Luce ; constable, 
S, H. Stowers. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, E. Donaldson, 
C. W. Hadley ; justice, H. A. Beers ; consta- 
ble, W. C. Hadley. 

Third TT'flr^^.— Aldermen, C. H. Eandall, 
J. C. Backus, J. D. Holden ; justice, E. C. 
Culver ; constable, H. A. Tiffany. 

Board of Educatiori. — At large, J. S. 
Woodard, Lewis Lord ; first ward, G. C. 
Tanner ; second ward, W. A. Dynes ; third 
ward, T. J. Howe. 

OFFICERS, 1879-80. 

Mayor, J. C. Ellis ; recorder, I. W. Burch ; 
assessor, E. Easton ; treasurer, Joseph Cham- 
bers; street commissioner, J. C. Ault; city 
marshal, D. Whipple ; city justice, C. C. Cor- 
nell ; city attorney, J. M. Burlingame ; city 
surveyor, J. H. Abbott ; official paper, Owa- 
tonna Joivrnal. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, Lorin Andrews, 
A. C. Gutterson; justice, H. F. Luce; con- 
stable, W. C. Hadley. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, J. E. Buxton, 
G. W. Eockwood; justice, A. B. Barrett; 
constable, D. W. Williamson. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, J. C. Backus, 
G. F. Albertus; justice, E. B. Newliall ; con- 
stable, Geo. W. Peachey. 



206 



HISTORY OK STEELE COUNTY. 



Fourth Ward. — Aldermen, H. Schmidt, E. 
M. Morehouse ; justice, none ; constable, S. 
H. Stowers. 

Board of Education. — At large, J. C. Ellis, 
James Cotter, J. E. Truesdell ; first ward, 
L. L. Wheelock ; second ward, W. A. Dynes ; 
third ward, T. J. Howe ; fourth ward, Chas. 
Dennijes. 

OFFICERS, 1880-1. 

Mayor, J. C. Ellis ; recorder, Charles Daw- 
son ; assessor, E. Easton ; treasurer, Joseph 
Chambers ; street commissioner, J. C. Ault ; 
city marshal, D. "Whipple ; city justice, C. C. 
Cornell ; city attorney, L. L. "Wheelock ; city 
surveyor, J. H. Abbott ; official paper, Owa- 
tonna Journal. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, Lorin Andrews, 
A. C. Gutterson ; justice, H. F. Luce ; con- 
stable, W. C. Hadley. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, J. E. Buxton, 
Henry Birkett ; justice, A. B. Barrett ; con- 
stable, H. A. Tiffany. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, Gr. F. Albertus, 
E. M. Morehouse ; justice, R. B. Newhall ; 
constable, Geo. "W. Peachey. 

Fourth Ward. — Aldermen, Herman 
Schmidt, John Plamrael ; justice, H. A. Beers ; 
constable, A. Hafemann. 

Board of Education. — At large, James 
Cotter, A. C. Hickman ; first ward, L. L. 
"Wheelock ; second wartl, "W. A. Dynes ; third 
ward, T. J. Howe; fourth ward, Chas. Den- 
nijes. 

OFFICERS, 1881-2. 

Mayor, B. S. Cook ; recorder, Charles Daw- 
son ; assessor, E. Easton ; treasurer, R. B. 
Newhall ; street commissioner, J. C. Ault ; 
city marshal, I. U. Jones ; city justice, H. A. 
Beers; city attorney, H. E. Johnson; city 
surveyor, J. H. Abbott ; official paper. Peo- 
ple's Press. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, A. C. Gutterson, 
J. E. Truesdell ; justice, H. F. Luce ; consta- 
ble, W. G. Hadley. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, Heniy Birkett, 
E. Scannel ; justice, A. B. Barrett ; constable, 
H. A. Tiffany. 



Third Ward. — Aldermen, G. F. Albertus, 
E. M. Morehouse ; justice, R. B. Newhall ; 
Constable, J. C. Johnson. 

Fourth Ward. — Aldermen, John Ilammel, 
H. Schmidt ; justice, H. A. Beers ; constable, 
O. Tiffany. 

Board of Education. — At large, A. C. 
Hickman, James Cotter; first ward, L. L. 
Wheelock; second ward, W. A. Dynes; third 
ward, A. Simpson; fourth ward, Chas. Den- 
nijes. 

OFFICERS, 1882-3. 

Mayor, B. S. Cook ; recorder, C. E. Luce ; 
assessor, E. Easton ; treasurer, H. H. Luers ; 
street commissioner, J. C. Ault ; city mar- 
shal, I. U. Jones; city justice, H. A. Beers; 
city attorney, H. E. Johnson ; city surveyor, 
J. H. Abbott ; official paper, Steele County 
Hercdd. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, J. E. Truesdell, 
John Chambers ; justice, H. F. Luce ; con- 
stable, W. C. Hadley. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, E. Scannel, S. 
S. Green ; justice, M. A. Fredenburg ; con- 
stable, H. A. Tiffany. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, E. M. More- 
house, G. F. Albertus ; justice, none ; con- 
stable, Ignatius Kremer. 

Fourth Ward. — Aldermen, Peter Ganser, 
Herman Schmidt ; justice, H. A. Beers ; con- 
stable, O. Tiffany. 

Boao'd of Education. — At large, James 
Cotter, A. C. Hickman ; first ward, L. L. 
AYheelock ; second ward, "W. A. D3'nes ; third 
ward, A. Simpson ; fourth ward, E. Y. Hune- 
will. 

OFFICERS, 1883- J:. 

Mayor, H. Birkett ; recorder, C. E. Luce ; 
assessor, E. Easton ; treasurer, C. J. Kin\'on; 
street commissioner, J. C. Ault ; city mar- 
shal, John Thorson ; city justice, M. A. Fre- 
denburg; city attorney, E. "W. Richter; city 
surveyor, J. H. Abbott ; official paper, Oiva- 
tonna Journal. 

First Wa/rd. — Aldermen, John Chambers, 
J. E. Truesdell ; justice, H. F. Luce ; con- 
stable, R. H. Johnson. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



207 



Second Ward. — Aldermen, S. S. Green, J. 
C. Ellis, II. H. Luers ; justice, M. A. Freden- 
burg; constable, W. H. Shoemaker. 

Third Ward — Aldermen, G. F. Albertus, 
Frank Stimson, J. D. Holden ; justice, J. D. 
Holden ; constable, Ignatius Kremer. 

Fourth Ward. — Aldermen, Peter Ganser, 
Herman Schmidt; justice, H. A. Beers; con- 
stable, O. Tiffany. 

Board of Education. — At large, A. C. 
Hickman, James Cotter; first ward, L. L. 
Wheelock ; second ward, W. A. Dynes ; third 
ward, A. Simpson; fourth ward, E. Y. Hune- 
"will. 

OFFICEES, 1884-5. 

Mayor, John Shea ; recorder, C. E. Luce ; 
assessor, E. Easton ; treasurer, C. J. Kinyon ; 
street commissioner, J. C. Ault ; city marshal, 
R.White; city justice, M. A. Fredenburg; 
city attorney, E. W. Kichter ; city surveyor, 
J. H. Abbott ; official paper. People's Press. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, J. E. Truesdell, 
M. J. Toher ; justice, H. F. Luce ; constable, 
R. H. Johnson. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, S. S. Green, J. 
Z. Barncard ; justice, O. Abernethy ; con- 
stable, W. H. Shoemaker. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, E. M. More- 
house, J. Glaeser; justice, O. M. Hammond; 
constable, Ignatius Kremer. 

Fourth Ward. — ^Aldermen, Peter Ganser, 
Herman Schmidt ; justice, H. A. Beers ; con- 
stable, O. Tiffany. 

Board of Education. — At large, J. A. 
Cotter, T. J. Howe ; first ward, W. A. Sperry ; 
second ward, W. A. Dynes ; third ward, Lewis 
Lord ; fourth ward, E. Y. Hunewill. 

OFFICERS, 1885-6. 

Mayor, C. N. McLaughlin ; recorder, C. E. 
Luce ; assessor, E. Easton ; treasurer, C. J. 
Kinyon ; street commissioner, J. C. Ault ; 
city marshal, P. White; city justice, A. N. 
Stoughton ; city attorney, E. W. Pichter ; 
city surveyor, A. M Mitchell ; official paper, 
People's Press. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, M. J. Toher, N. 



C. Larson; justice, H. F. Luce; constable, 
P. H. Johnson. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, S. S. Green, 
J. Z. Barncard ; justice, M. A. Fredenburg ; 
constable, H. P. Thompson. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, E. M. More- 
house, E. W. Piper; justice, William David- 
son ; constable, Ignatius Kremer. 

Fourth Ward. — Aldermen, Peter Ganser, 
Charles Schoen ; justice, C. C. Cornell ; con- 
stable, Herman Lee. 

Board of Education. — At large, George 
E. Peck, T. J. Howe; first ward, W. A. 
Sperry ; second ward, W. A. Dynes ; third 
ward, Lewis Lord ; fourth ward, E. Y. Hune- 
will. 

OFFICERS, 1886-7. 

Mayor, T. H. Kelly ; recorder, C. E. Luce ; 
assessor, E. Easton ; treasurer, G. D. Holden ; 
street commissioner, J. C. Ault ; city marshal, 
P. H. Johnson ; city justice, A. N. Stoughton ; 
city attorney, J. M. Burlingame; city sur- 
veyor, A. M. Mitchell ; official jjaper, Journal 
and Herald. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, N. C. Larson, C. 
W. Hadley ; justice, II. F. Luce ; constable, 
P. II. Johnson. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, Henry Birkett, 
James Brown ; justice, M. A. Fredenburg ; 
constable, H. P. Thompson. 

Third Ward. — Aldermen, E. W. Piper, 
Dr. E. M. Morehouse ; justice, William Da- 
vidson ; constable, Ignatius Kremer. • 

Fourth Ward. — Aldermen, Peter Ganser, 
Charles Schoen; justice, A. Moncrieff; con- 
stable, George Putney. 

Board of Education. — At large, T. J. 
Howe, G. E. Peck ; first ward, W. A. 
Sperry; second ward, W. A. Dynes; third 
ward, L. Lord ; fourth ward, E. Y. Hune- 
will. 

OFFICERS FOR 188 7-8. 

Mayor, M. B. Pratt ; recorder, C. E. Luce ; 
assessor, J. S. Austin ; treasurer, A. N. 
Stoughton ; street commissioner, John Quinn ; 
city marshal, P. H. Johnson ; city justice, 
J. Newsalt; city attorney, Amos Coggs- 



20S 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



well; city surve^'or, A. M. Mitchell; official 
paper, People's Press. 

First Ward. — Aldermen, C. W. Hadley, 
N.'C. Larson; justice, H. F. Luce; constable 
E. H. Johnson. 

Second Ward. — Aldermen, Henry Birkett. 
James Brown; justice, M. A. FredenV)urg* ; 
constable, H. A. Tiffany. 

Third Fa^'t?. — Aldermen, Dr. E. M. 
Morehouse, G. F. Albertus ; justice, J. H. 
Soukup ; constable, John Ganser. 

Fourtli Ward. — Aldermen, Peter Ganser, 
Joseph Hoffman; justice, A. Moncrief; con- 
stable, IL Lee. 

Board of Fhication. — At large, T. J. 
Howe, H. Schmidt ; first ward, W. A. 
Sperry ; second ward, W. A. Dynes ; third 
ward, H. Cartwright ; fourth ward, E. Y. 
Hunewill. 

Hon. Merritt B. Pratt, present mayor of 
Owatonna, was born in Chautauqua County, 
N. Y., in 1835. He came to Minnesota in 
18.56, locating at Mantorville. At that place 
the Mantor brothers had just platted the 
village, and Mr. Pratt's father purchased a 
third interest and became one of the town 
proprietors. Twelve years later our subject 
moved to Blue Earth City, where he was 
for a number of years engaged in the mer- 
cantile business. During his residence there 
he served one term as sheriff of Faribault 
County, and was otherwise prominent in 
political and public affairs. In 1881 he came 
to Owatonna and embarked in the grain 
business as a member of the firm of H. W. 
Pratt & Co., whose principal office is in 
Minneapolis. 

He was elected mayor in the spring of 
1887 on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Pratt 
was married in 1802 to Mrs. Gertrude F. 
Miles, a native of New York State. 

riEE DEPARTMENT. 

The earliest records relating to the fire 
department begin with a meeting held on 



* Mr. Fvedenburg died shortly after his re-election to this 
office.— Editor. 



the 4th of May, 1879. The i-ecords do not 
give a list of members present, but a list of 
those absent is placed upon the roll, and as 
a matter of interest we give the list, which 
was as follows : 

N. C. Larson, E. L. Muckey, S. K. Nelson, 
W. H. Montgomery, Daniel S. Stewart, G. 
F. Albertus, E. H. Johnson, L. Andrews, A. 
Knobloch, C. W. Hastings, S. W. Farmer, 
James Brown, J. E. Buxton, A. C. Gutter- 
son, D. G. Currier, E. Lilley, C. H. Eandall, 
W. A. Dynes, D. C. Adams, H. Birkett, 
Frank Murray, S. Downie and J. Easton. 
The records are signed by F. T. Drebert, as 
secretary. The name of the organization 
then was "The Spring City Fire Depart- 
ment." 

In June, 1879, the following officers were 
elected : P. Winsor, foreman, "VV. W. Hub- 
bard, first assistant ; D. S. Stewart, sec- 
ond assistant ; D. G. Currier, third assist- 
ant foreman ; F.T. Drebert, secretary, and C. 
J. Kinyon, treasurer. C. "VV. Hadley at that 
time was chief engineer. During the same 
summer a new hook and ladder truck was 
added to the fire apparatus and a fourth 
section was organized to handle it. 

In June, 1880, the following officers were 
elected : P. W. "Winsor, foreman ; G. L. 
Foi'syth, assistant foi'eman, section No. 1 ; 
David Stewart, assistant foreman section No. 
2; John Shea, assistant foreman Hook and 
Ladder section ; J. W. Morford, assistant 
foreman Sack section; B. E. Darby, chair- 
man ; E. "W. Green, secretary ; C. J. Kin- 
yon, treasurer; Edward Donaldson and 
John Shea, trustees. At this meeting the 
record shows that there had arisen some 
dissatisfaction regarding the payment of 
fines and dues, and shortly afterward the 
organization was abandoned. In fact this 
was the last meeting of which there is any 
record. 

On the 2d of August, 1882, a- meeting 
was called by S. S. Green, who had been 
appointed chief engineer, for the purpose of 
organizing the "Owatonna Fire Depart- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



209 



ment." It was attended hj^ John McMichael, 
E. D. Middaugh, G. L. Forsyth, Eobert 
White, E. M. Twiford, W. Dennis, P. Han- 
son, James Brown, J. Z. Barncard, A. G. 
Meyer, James Tliompson, C. J. Kinyon, H. 
H. Luers; J. M. Schafer, G. W. Elhott, B. E. 
Darby, J. F. Young and N. C. Larson. An 
organization was effected by the election of 
the following ofHcers. J. Z. Barncard, chair- 
man ; H. H. Luers, secretary ; N. C. Larson, 
treasurer; Eobert White, first assistant en- 
gineer; G. L. Forsyth, second assistant en- 
gineer; C. J. Kinyon. third assistant engineer. 
S. S. Green was chief engineer. A commit- 
tee consisting of S. S. Green, E. White, H. 
H. Luers, C. J. Kinyon and G. L. Forsyth 
was appointed to draft by-laws, which they 
did. Since that time the following have held 
the various offices: 

Elected May 2, 1883 — J. Z. Barncard, 
chairman ; B. E. Darby, secretary ; N. C. 
Larson, treasurer; E. White, first assistant 
engineer; G. L. Forsyth, second assistant 
engineer; C. J. Kinyon, third assistant en- 
gineer. S. S. Green was still chief engineer. 

Elected May 7, 1881 — C. E. Luce, chair- 
man; B. E. Darby, secretary; N. C. Larson, 
treasurer ; E. White, first assistant engineer ; 
G. L. Forsyth, second assistant engineer ; C. 
J. Kinyon, third assistant engineer ; C. M. 
Lorence, foreman water carts; E. M. Twi- 
ford, foreman force pumps; S. S. Green, 
chief engineer. 

Elected May 4, 1885 — S. S. Green, chief 
engineer ; C. E. Luce, chairman ; B. E. Dar- 
by, secretary ; N. C. Larson, treasui'er ; E. 
M. Twiford, first assistant engineer; G. L. 
Forsyth, second assistant engineer ; C. J. 
Kinyon, third assistant engineer ; C. E. Luce, 
foreman of hose cart and force pumps. 

Elected April 12, 1888 — S. S. Green was 
re-elected chief engineer, but declined, and 
E. M. Twiford was chosen to succeed him. 
Mr. Green had held this responsible position 
since the reorganization of the department, 
filling it with credit to himself and satisfac- 
tion to the entire city. Eesolutions were 



drawn and adopted by the department 
thanking him sincerely for his past services 
and regretting his decision to decline. The 
officers elected at that time were : E. M. 
Twiford, chief engineer; L. Peterson, first 
assistant; C. S. Austin, second assistant; 
W. J. Thompson, third assistant; Paul Mur- 
phy, fourth assistant; C. E. Luce, ciiairman ; 

B. E. Darby, secretary; C. J. Kinyon, treas- 
urer; Fred Cottier, property-man. 

Elected April i, 1887 — E. M. Twiford, 
chief engineer; L. Peterson, first assistant; 

C. S. Austin, second assistant ; W. J. 
Thompson, third assistant ; C. E. Luce 
fourth assistant ; C. E. Luce, chairman ; B. 

E. Darby, secretary; C. J. Kinyon, treas- 
urer. These are the present officers. 

The following is a list of the gentlemen 
who formed the various sections of the de- 
partment, September 16, 1887: 

E. M. Twiford, chief engineer. 

Engine No. 1. — L. Peterson, first assist 
ant engineer ; B. E. Darby, L. C. Berg, Fred- 
Cottier, Egbert A. Brown, JSTels Easmusson, 

F. H. Coon, J. H. Soukup, S. S. Green, Hans 
Eobertson, James Eobertson, Helga Helge- 
son. 

Engine No. 2. — C. S. Austin, second 
assistant engineer ; Jolin Thorsen, J. P. 
Thon, E. H. Johnson, W. Morgan, E. G. 
Nelson, John Knight, Louis Haramel, Eobt. 
Davidson, Ole Thorsen. 

Hook and ladder truck. — W. J.Thomp- 
son, third assistant engineer; John Diviny, 
C. J. Kinyon, Wyatt Murray, John Sher- 
bino, B. McClintock, J. D. Slonaker, A. 
Moncrieff, W. D. Snyder, Eugene Kelly, Mor- 
ris Cusick. 

Horse cart and force jiumps. — C. E. Luce, 
fourth assistant engineer ; Fred Scliuman, 
C. E. L. Greenwood, Philip Schoen, Max 
Hartwig, Louis Fenner, Perry Eolfe, Andrew 
Hendricks, Elias Eeese. 

The department is equipped with Cham- 
pion Chemical Extinguishers Nos. 1 and 2. 
Tliey have a hook and ladder truck with 
the usual outfit of ladders, pails, hooks, etc. 



210 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



The\' also bave a hose cart with about six 
hundred feet of hose arranged to attach to 
the city force pumps, of which there are four, 
located as follows : One on corner of Bridge 
and Oak streets ; one at city park ; one on 
corner of Eose and Cedar streets and one on 
Vine street, fifty feet west of Cedar. The 
members of the depai'traent are fitted with 
neat uniforms. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

The first school taught in Steele County, 
Minn., as well as Owatonna, was opened 
in July, 1855, by Miss Helen Ilolbrook. 
Park, Smith and A. B. Cornell had driven 
four posts in the ground and partiallj' cov- 
ered them with boughs ; and in this primitive 
structure the school was begun. Among 
the scholars who attended were Emily (now 
Mrs. W. H. Willsey) and Anetta Phelps, 
daughters of Addison Phelps, one daughter 
of A. B. Cornell and a couple of B. L. 
Arnold's children. 

At the present writing there are three 
public school buildings in the city ; the high 
school and the first ami second wards. Two 
of the buildings are costly structures. The 
schools are well graded and have been 
among the best managed schools in the 
State. There is not a city of the same size 
in Minnesota, where public schools are rated 
so high, or educational facilities and priv- 
ileges so excellent as in Owatonna, and the 
citizens justly feel proud of their educational 
institutions. 

rOSTOFFICE. 

The Owatonna postoffice was established 
in 1855, with S. B. Smith as postmaster. Up 
to that time the name of the town had been 
spelled " Owatonia," but at this time the 
" i " was changed to an " n," and the orthog- 
raphy became the same as it is to-daj^ M. 
A. Daih^ was tiie second postmaster, and 
he was succeeded in turn by John N. Kelley, 
William "Wadsworth and Twiford E. Hughes. 
On the 7th of April, 1870, E. Easton took 
possession of the oftice and remained until 



January 8, 1876, when he was succeeded by 
Charles S. Crandall. Mr. Crandall held the 
office until April 10, 1881, when he was re- 
lieved by Lewis L. "Wheelock, the present in- 
cumbent. 

This office was made a money-order office 
in August, 18C6. The first three money or- 
ders were purchased by Twiford E. Hughes, 
Alverson & Graham and Dr. A. S. Mygatt. 
Up to August 1, 1886, there had been a total 
of 43,367 money orders issued. 

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS. 

Star in the East Lodge, No. 33. — The first 
meeting of this lodge, while working under 
dispensation, was held on the Ifith of Decem- 
ber, 1859, with J. C. Whipple, R. W. G. J. W. 
of Faribault Lodge No. 9, presiding. John 
Kelso acted as secretary. The first stated 
communication held under dispensation was 
on the 23d of January, 1860. The first of- 
ficers elected were as follows : J. C. Whip- 
ple, W. M.; E. M. Morehouse, S. W.; Joel 
Wilson, J. W.; Nelson Morehouse, Treas.; 
John Kelso, Secy.; Thomas Thompson, S. D., 
and David Lindersraith, I. D. 

When the move was first agitated it was 
found that there were not enough Masons at 
and about Owatonna to form a quorum, and 
finally several citizens went to Wilton, and 
others to Faribault, where they joined the 
order, and enough members were thus se- 
cured. AVhile the lodge was working under 
dispensation, it does not appear that any per- 
manent set of officers was elected, but the 
records show that the following named acted 
as W. M. during that time : J. C. Whipple, 
S. C. Williamson, E. M. Morehouse, J. W. 
Morford, W. H. Willsey and W. R. Kinyon. 

A chaiter was granted to the lodge on the 
24th of October, 1860, naming the following 
as officers : S. C. Williamson, AV. M.; Dr. E. 
M. Morehouse, S. W., and Joel Wilson, J. W. 

Since that time the following have been the 
elected officers during the various years : 

Elected, October 29, I860, for 1861: W. 
R. Kinyon, W. M.; E. M. Morehouse, S. W.; 



-***Wv 




i 



"^x x^ , ^// ^u^/^>^^^n 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



213 



W. II. Willsey, J. W.; J. W. Morford, Treas.; 
John Kelso, Secy. 

For 1862 — E. M. Morehouse, W. M.; W. 
H. Willsey, S. W.; L. B. Tanner, J. W.; J. W. 
Morford, Treas.; J. N. Kelly, Secy. 

1863 — W. K. Kinyon, W. M.; J. W. Mor- 
ford, S. W.; J. N. Kelly, J. W.; E. M. More- 
house, Treas.; W. II. Wadsworth, Secy. 

1864 — J. W. Morford, W. M.; Joel AVil- 
son, S. W.; W. II. Willsey, J. W.; W. R. 
Kinyon, Treas.; W. II. Wadsworth, Secy. 

1865 — J. W. Morford, W. M.; W. R. Kin- 
yon, S. W.; W. II. Willsey, J. W.; Jacob Op- 
pliger. Secy. 

1866- J. W. Morford, W. M.; Wm. II. 
Kelly, S. W.; H. C. Eldred, J. W.; J. A. Op- 
pliger, Treas.; J. Newsalt, Secy. 

1867 — J. W. Morford, W. M.; II. J. 
Lewis, S. W.; A. B. Webber, J. W.; Addi- 
son Phelps, Treas.; S. II. Stowers, Secy. 

1868— J. W. Morford, W. M. ; II. J. Lewis, 
S. W. ; E. Scannel, J. W. ; A. M. Kinyon, 
Treas. ; J. A. Robey, Secy. 

1869 — H. J. Lewis, W. M. ; J. A. Robey, 
S. W. ; L. S. Padgham, J. W. ; James Mor- 
ton, Treas. ; A. M. Kinyon, Secy. 

1870 — J. W. Morford, W. M. ; J. A. Ro- 
bey, S. W. ; L. S. Padgham, J. W. ; R. C. 
Olin, Treas. ; A. C. Hickman, Secy. 

1871- J. W. Morford, W. M. ; A. C. Hick- 
man, S. W. ; Hiram Backus, J. W. ; R. C. 
Olin, Treas. ; J. W. Hall, Secy. 

1872— A. C. Hickman, W. M. ; II. Backus, 
S. W. ; L. L. Wheelock, J. W. ; H. II. Rose- 
brock, Treas. ; T. G. Patch, Secy. 

1873 — J. W. Morford, W.' M. ; J. D. 
Ilolden, S. W. ; D. Whipple, J. W. ; II. II. 
Rosebrock, Treas. ; M. L. Strong, Secy. 

1871— J. D. Holden, W. M. ; A. C. Hick- 
man, S. W. ; H. n. Rosebrock, J. W. ; G. F. 
Albertus, Treas. ; L. L. Bennett, Secy. 

187.5 — J. D. Ilolden, W. M. ; A. C. Dodge, 
S. W. ; A. C. Gutterson, J. W. ; G. F. Al- 
bertus, Treas. ; L. L. Bennett, Secy. 

1876 — A. C. Dodge, W. M. ; M. B. Chad- 
wick, S. W. ; N. C. Larson, J. W. ; G. F. 
Albertus, Treas. ; L. L. Bennett, Secy. 

13 



1877 — A. C. Dodge, W. M. ; M. B. Chad- 
wick, S. W. ; W. S. Melvin, J. W. ; G. F. 
Albertus, Treas. ; H. H. Luers, Secy. 

1878 — J. D. Holden, W. M. ; M. B. Chad- 
wick, S. W.; J. M. Burlingame, J. W. ; L. L. 
Bennett, Treas. ; H. H. Luers, Secy. 

1879— J. M. Burlingame, W. M. ; C. H. 
Randall, S. W. ; George D. Ilolden, J. W. ; 
L. L. Bennett, Treas. ; H. H. Luers, Secy. 

1880 — L. L. Wheelock, W. M. ; H. H. 
Rosebrock, S. W. ; II. Birkett, J. W. ; L. L. 
Bennett, Treas. ; H. H. Luers, Secy. 

1881 — J. D. Holden, W. M.; I.'u. Jones, 
S. W. ; N. C. Larson, J. W. ; L. L. Bennett, 
Treas. ; II. H. Luers, Secy. 

1882— J. D. Holden, W.M. ; M. B. Chad- 
wick, S. W. ; H. S. Hill, J. W. ; L. L. Ben- 
nett, Treas. ; H. H. Luers, Secy. 

1883 — M. B. Chadwick, W. M. ; H. S. 
Hill, S. W. ; I. H. DeWolf, J. W. ; L. L. 
Bennett, Treas. ; H. II. Luers, Secy. 

1884— M. B. Chadwick, W. M. ; H. S. 
Hill, S. W. ; J. Z. Barncard, J. W. ; L. L. 
Bennett, Treas. ; II. H. Luers, Secy. 

1885 — Henry Birkett, W. M. ; N. C. Lar- 
son, S. W. ; C. W. Bardic, J. W. ; L. L. Ben- 
nett, Treas. ; H. II. Luers, Secy. 

1886 — N. J. Schafer, W. M. ; N". C. Lar- 
son, S. W. ; D. Moody, J. W. ; L. L. Ben- 
nett, Treas. ; M. B. Chadwick, Secy. 

1887 — K J. Schafer, W. M. ; C. W. Bur- 
die, S. W. ; D. Downie, J. W. ; M. B. Chad- 
wick, Secy. ; L. L. Bennett, Treas. ; II. II. 
Luers, S. D. ; N. C. Larson, J. D. ; L. An- 
derson, S. S. ; H. II. Rosebrock, J. S. ; G. 
AV. Shaw, T. 

This lodge now has over one hundred 
members. In early days the meetings were 
held in Morford's Hall, but in 1874 they 
moved into the present Masonic Hall over the 
Farmers' National Bank. The rooms are 
finely furnished, and the lodge owns hand- 
some and appropriate regalia. Regular 
meetings are held on the evenings of the 
second and fourth Wednesdays in each 
month. 

Owatonna Royal Arch — Chapter No. 15. 



214 



HISTORY OF STEELE CODNTl'. 



—On the 28th of September, 186C, C. W. 
Nash, Grand High Priest of Eoyal Arch 
Masons forMinnesota, granted a dispensation 
to W. R. Kinyon, M. F. Lowth, L. II. Kelly, 
T. Ci. Patch, J. W. Morford, H. J. Lewis, I. 
F. Wliite, K Hubbard and R. M. Dunberry 
to establish a Chapter of Royal Arch ]Ma- 
sons in Ovvatonna, and appointed M. F. 
Lowth, H. P.; W. R. Kinyon, King; 
and L. H. Kelly, Scribe. The companions 
met for the first time in Masonic Plall on Oc- 
tober 15, 1860, for the purpose of effecting 
organization, and the High Priest appoint- 
ed the following officers : E. R. Lathrop, C; 
J. W. Morford, C. II.; II. J. Lewis, P. 
S.; J. F. White, Treas. ; T. G. Patch, 
Secy. ; Charles Case, G. M. 3d Vail ; N. Hub- 
bard, G. M. 2d Vail ; E. M. Hawley, G. M. 1st 
Vail ; and R. M. Dunberry, S. The code of 
by-laws was prepared by W. R. Kinyon, J. 
W. Morford and T. G. Patch. The first 
regular convocation was held on the evening 
of November 2, 1866, at which time the first 
permanent officers were appointed. They 
were the same as those already given, except 
that E. R. Lathrop was made C. H., and J. 
W. Morford R. A. C. The charter was 
granted on October 22, 186Y, and the follow- 
ing were nominated and duly installed as 
officers : M. F. Lowth, M. E. II. P. ; W. R. 
Kinyon, E. K. ; L. H. Kelly, E. S. ; H. J. 
Lewis, P. S. ; J. W. Morford, R. A. C. 

The following is a list of the officers who 
have been elected during the various years 
since that time : 

December 20, 1867— W. R. Kinyon, M. 
E. II. P. ; M. F. Lowth, E. K. ; L. 11. Kelly, 
E. S. ; J. W. Morford, C. H. ; II. J. Lewis, 
P. S.; A. M. Kinyon, R. A. C. ; W. F. 
Pettit, Treas. ; A. b". Webber, Secy. 

For 1870 — A. B. Webber, M. E. H. P.; 
W. II. Willsey, E. K. ; S. B. Washburn, E. 
S. ; W. T. Kittridge, C. H. ; II. J. Lewis, 
P. S. ; J. W. Morford, R. A. C. ; W. R. 
Kinyon, Treas. ; T. G. Patch, Secy. 

1871— W. R. Kinyon, M. E. H. P.; W. 
H. Willsey, K. ; S. B. Washburn, S. ; J. 



W. Morford, C. II.; H.J. Lewis, P. S. ; 
H. Backus, R. A. C. ; E. M. Morehouse, 
Treas. ; T. G. Patch, Secy. 

1872 — W. R. Kinyon, M. E. H. P.; W. 
H. Willsey, K. ; L. S. Padgham, S.; J. 
W. Morford, C. H. ; II. Backus, P. S. ; 
Thomas W. Irving, R. A. C. ; Thomas J. 
Howe, Treas. ; T. G. Patch, Secy. 

1873 — L. L. Wheelock, M. E. H. P. ; J. 
W. Morford, E. S. ; W. II. Willsey, K. ; 
A. C. Dodge, C. II.; T. W. Irving, R. A. 
C. ; E. M. Morehouse, Treas. ; T. G. Patch, 
Secy. 

1S74— W. R. Kinyon, M. E. H. P.; W. 
H. Willsey, E. K. ; A. C. Hickman, S. ; 
A. C. Dodge, C. II. ; II. Backus, P. S. ; T. 
W. Irving, R. A. C. ; L. L. Bennett, Treas. ; 
T. G. Patch, Secy. 

1875- W. R. Kinyon, M. E. H. P.; L. L. 
Wheelock, E. K. ; L. L. Bennett, E. S.; 
J. W. Morford, C. II. ; A. C. Dodge, P. S. ; 
S. II. Stowers, R. A. C. ; II. II. Rosebrock. 
Treas. ; M. L. Strong, Secy. 

1S76 — J. W. Morford, M. E. H. P.; M. 
F. Lowth, E. K. ; J. A. Opphger, E. S. ; S. 
II. Stowers, C. H. ; A. C. Dodge, P. S. ; T. 
W. Irving, R. A. C. ; II. H. Rosebrock, 
Treas. ; M. L. Strong, Secy. 

1877 — J. D. Ilolden, M. E. H. P. ; J. M. 
Burlingame, E. K. ; N. C. Larson, E. S. ; S. 
H. Stowers, C. H. ; J. R. Fox, P. S. ; H. H. 
Rosebrock, R. H. C. ; W. H. Willsey, Treas. ; 
M. L. Strong, Secy. 

1878 — J. M. Burlingame, M. E. H.P.; H. 
H. Rosebrock, E. K. ; A. Graham, E. S. ; L. 
L. Bennett, C. H. ; J. D. Ilolden, P. S. ; H. 
Birkett, R. A. C. ; W. II. Willsey, Treas. ; M. 
L. Strong, Sec'y. 

1879 — J. W. Morford, M. E. II. P. ; N. C. 
Larson, E. K. ; J. M. Burlingame, E. S. ; II. 
Birkett, C. II. ; J. D. Ilolden, P. S. ; H. II. 
Rosebrock, R. A. C. ; W. R. Kinyon, Treas. ; 
M. L. Strong, Secy. 

1880 — W. R. Kinyon. M. E. H. P. ; L. L. 
Wheelock, K. ; L. L. Bennett, S. ; H. 
H. Rosebrock, C. H. ; J. D. Holden, P. S. ; 
E. Downie, Secy. ; G. F. Albertus, Treas. ; 



I 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



215 



J. W. Morford, E. A. C. ; G. W. Shaw, 
Sent. 

1881 — H. Birkett, M. E. H. P.; J. D. 
Iloklen, E. K. ; G. F. Albertus, E. S. ; IL 
II. Eosebrock, C II. ; L. L. Bennett, P. S. ; 
]Sr. C. Larson, E. A. C. ; W. E. Kinyon, 
Treas. ; T. J. Howe, Sec3^ 

1882 — L. L. Bennett, M. E. H. P. ; T. J. 
Howe, E. K. ; G. F. Albertus, E. S. ; W. E. 
Kinyon, Treas. ; H. H. Luers, Secy. ; H. H. 
Eosebrock, C. II. ; J. D. Ilolden, "p. S. ; J. 
W. Morford, E. A. C. 

1883 — J. D. Hoklen, M. E. H. P. ; T. J. 
Howe, E. K. ; H. II. Eosebrock, E. S. ; J. Z. 
Barncard, C. II. ; II. Birkett, P. S. ; J. W. 
Morford, E. A. C. ; W. E. Kinyon, Treas. ; 
II. II. Luers, Sec'y. 

1884 — J. D. Iloklen, M. E. H. P.; II. H. 
Eosebrock, E. K. ; H. S. Hill, E. S. ; J. Z. 
Barncard, C. II. ; II. Birkett, P. S. ; N. C. 
Larson, E. A. C. ; W. E. Kinyon, Treas. ; 
II. H. Luers, Secy. 

1885 — L. L. Bennett, M. E. H. P. ; J. Z. 
Barncard, E. K. ; T. J. Howe, E. S. ; N. C. 
Larson, C. II.; J. D. Ilolden, P. S. ; H. 
Birkett, E. A. C. ; W. E. Kinyon, Treas. ; 
II. H. Luers, Secy. 

1886 — J. Z. Barncard, M. E. H. P. ; N. J. 
Schafer, E. K. ; N. C. Larson, E. S. ; D. S. 
Coverdale, C. H. ; H. H. Eosebrock, P. S. ; 
E. E. Bigelow, E. A. C. ; L. L. Bennett, 
Treas. ; H. H. Luers, Secy. 

1887— N. J. Schafer, M. E. IL P. ; T. J. 
Howe, K. ; II. H. Eosebrock, S. ; E. E. Bige- 
low, C. H.; C. W. Burdic, P. S.; H. IL 
Luers, E. A. C. ; G. F. Albertus, Treas. ; J. 
W. Connor, Secy. ; G. W. Shaw, Sent. ; C. 
W. Burdic, 1st Vail. 

Cyrejie Commandery, No. 9, Knights Tem- 
plar. — The Knights Templar, in Masonry, is 
one step higher than the Chapter. Any 
member of the Chapter in good standing is 
eligible to membership in the Commandery. 
On the 17tli of February, 1874, a dispensa- 
tion was granted by II. L. Carver, of St. 
Paul, Grand Commander of Minnesota, au- 
thorizing the organization of Cyrene Com- 



mandery, and, accordingly, the first meeting 
was held on the 19th of the same month, at 
Masonic Hall, in Owatonna, at which an 
organization was effected by the election of 
the following named as first officers : C. H. 
Hathaway, E. C. ; J. W. Morford, G. ; Smith 
H. Stowers, C. G. ; H. Backus, P. ; H. E. 
Moore, Jr., S. W. ; Thomas W. Irving, J. W. ; 
Hiram J. Lewis, Treas. ; T. G. Patch, Eec. ; 
and H. H. Eosebrock, W. This list also 
comprises all of the charter members. The 
Commandery grew rapidly from the start. 
During the year 1874 the following Masons 
became Sir Knights of this-Commandery, in 
the order named : W. E. Kinyon, W. H. 
Kelly, E. M. Morehouse, A. C. Dodge, J. A. 
Oppliger, M. L. Strong, Thos. J. Howe, A. 
C. Hickman, L. L. Wheelock, C. W. Gard- 
ner, L. S. Padgham, G. F. Albertus, W. H. 
Willse_y, and T. H. Frazer. 

In 1875 J. W. Hall, N. C. Larson and 
Henry Birkett joined, and since then the 
membership has continually increased, un- 
til in August, 1887, it numbered sixty -two 
knights in good standing. This includes 
twenty members who are residents of Wa- 
seca and vicinity. Neai'ly all the balance 
are citizens of Steele County. Conclaves 
have always been held in the Masonic Hall, 
where the Commandery owns the full com- 
plement of furniture and paraphernalia. The 
knights all own tasty and handsome regalia, 
many of which are rich and costly. Con- 
claves are regularly held on the evenings 
of the second and fourth Mondays in each 
month. The Cyrene Commandery has al- 
ways been prominent in State Masonic 
circles. It has furnished two Eight Eminent 
Grand Commanders of Minnesota : Henry 
Birkett, who served two years, and E. L. 
McCormick, who held the office one year; 
and in June, 1886, the session of the Grand 
Commandery of Minnesota was held at 
Owatonna, attended by the most prominent 
knights in the State. The Commandery has 
at different times taken special train excur- 
sions to various portions of the State, includ- 



216 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



ing Minneapolis, Faribault, Ked Wing, 
Waterville, and Stillwater, at which enjoy- 
able times were had. The Comraandery 
now includes nearly all of the leading and 
wealthy business men of Owatonna, al- 
though its membership has suffered some- 
what from removal of members, and a few 
deaths have also occurred within the lodge. 
The last meeting under dispensation was 
held on the 22d of June, 1874. The charter 
was p-ranted on the 17th of Februarv, 1871:. 

The following is a complete list, as far as 
the records show, of the various officers wlio 
have served the commandery in each year, 
fi'om its organization to the present time : 

Installed, June 1874. — C. H. Hathaway, 

E. C. ; J. W. Morford, G. ; L. L. Wheelock, 
P. ; A. C. Dodge, S. W. ; T. W. Irving, J. 
W. ; E. M. Morehouse, T. ; T. G. Patch, E. ; 
J. A. Oppliger, St. B. ; W. H. Willsey, S. B. ; 
H. H. Eosebrock, W. ; L. S. Padgham, 1st 
G. ; Thomas J. Howe, 2d G. ; H. Backus, 
3d G., and G. F. Albertus. Sen. 

Installed, April 12, 1875.— C. H. Hatha- 
way, E. C; J. W. Morford, G. ; S. H. 
Stowers, E. G. ; L. L. Wheelock, P. ; A. C. 
Dodge, S. W. ; T. W. Irving, J. W. ; E. M. 
Morehouse, J. ; M. L. Strong, E. ; J. A. 
Oppliger, St. B. ; W. H. Willsey, S. B. ; H. 
H. Eosebrock, W. ; L. S. Padgham, Capt. G. ; 
G. F. Albertus, 2d G. ; H. Backus, 3d G. 

Installed, April 24, 1876.— C. H. Hatha- 
way, E. C. ; J. W. Morford, G. ; M. L. 
Strong, C. G. ; L. L. Wheelock, P. ; T. W. 
Irving, S. W. ; II. H. Eosebrock, J. W. ; G. 

F. Albertus, T. ; S. II. Stowers, E. ; J. A. 
Oppliger, St. B. ; W. H. Willsey, S. B. ; H. 
Birkett, W. ; A. C. Dodge, 1st G. ; T. J. 
Howe, 2d G. ; H. Backus, 3d G., and J. W. 
Hall, Sen. 

Installed, March 26, 1877.— W. E. Kinyon, 
E. C. ; T. W. Irving, G. ; M. L. Strong, C 
G. ; L. L. Wheelock, P. ; J. W. Morford, S 
W. ; H. Birkett, J. W. ; G. F. Albertus, T. 
S. H. Stowers, E. ; J. A. Oppliger, St. B. 
W. H. Willsey, S. B. ; H. li. Eosebrock, W. ; 
J. W. Hall, Sen. 



Installed, April 8, 1878. — W. E. Kinyon, 

E. C. ; E. L. McCormack, G. ; M. L. Strong, 
C. G. ; L. L. Wheelock, P. ; H. Birkett, S. 
W. ; T. W. Irving, J. W. ; G. F. Albertus, 
T. ; S. H. Stowers, E. ; J. A. Oppliger, St. 
B. ; W. H. Willsey, S. B. ; H. H. Eosebrock, 
W. ; G. F. Albertus, Sen. 

Installed, April 14, 1879.— E. L. McCor- 
mack, E. C; T. W. Irving, G. ; M. L. 
Strong, C. G. ; L. L. Wheelock, P. ; W. H. 
Willsey, S. W. ; J. W. Morford, J. W. ; G. 

F. Albertus, T. ; S. H. Stowers, E. ; J. A. 
Oppliger, St. B. ; W. H. Willsey, S. B. ; H. H. 
Eosebrock, W. ; G. W. Shaw, Sen. 

Installed, March 30, 1880.— E. L. McCor- 
mack, E. C. ; H. Birkett, G. ; T. W. Irving, 
C. G ; L. L. Wheelock, P. ; G. E. Buckman, 
S. W. ; W. II. Willsey, J. W. ; G. F. Al- 
bertus, T. ; W. II. Maes, E. ; J. A. Oppliger, 
St. B.; H. II. Eosebrock, S. B. ; S. G. Lund, 
W. ; T. J. Howe, 1st G. ; N. C Larson, 2d 
G. ; J. W. Morford, 3d G. ; G. W. Shaw, 
Sen. 

Installed, April 25, 1881.- Henry Birkett, 
E. C. ; A. C. Hickman, G. ; T. W. Irving, C. 
G. ; L. L. Wheelock, P. ; Henry E. Strong, 
S. W. ; W. C. Thayer, J. W. ; G. F. Alljertus, 
T. ; W. H. Maes, E. ; Clarke Chambers, St. 
B. ; T. J. Howe, S. B. ; N. C. Larson, W. ; 

G. W. Shaw, Sen. 

Installed, April 8, 1882.— H. Birkett, E. C. ; 
L. L. Wheelock, G. ; G. E. Buckman, C. G. ; 
A. C. Hickman, P. ; W. C. Thayer, S. W. ; 
W. II. Maes, J. W. ; G. F. Albertus, T. ; J. 
W. Morford, E. ; T. J. Howe, Sw. B. ; N. 
C. Larson, W. ; E. E. Bigelow, 1st G. ; H. H. 
Eosebrock, 2d G. ; L. L. Bennett, 3d G. ; G. 
W. Shaw, Sen. 

Installed March 26, 1883 — L. L. Whee- 
lock, E. G. ; G. E. Buckman, C. G. ; G. C. 
Tanner, P. ; W. H. Maes, J. W. ; G. F. Alber- 
tus, T. ; W. II. Donaldson, E. ; T. J. Howe, 
Sw. B. ; N. C. Larson, W. ; G. W. Shaw, 
Sen. 

Chosen March 24, 1884 — L. L. Wheelock, 
E. C. ; G. E. Buckman, G. ; L. L. Bennett, 
C. G. ; G. C. Tanner, P. ; J. D. Holden, S. W. ; 



HISTOKY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



21Y 



N. C. Larson, J. W. ; G. F. Albertus, T. ; T. 
J. Howe, K. ; W. H. Willsey, St. B. ; J. Z. 
Barncard, S. B. ; H. H. Kosebrock, W. ; E. 
E. Bigelow, 1st G. ; J. M. Diment, 2d G. ; J. 
J. McDonald, 3d G. ; G. W. Shaw, Sen. 

Chosen March 23, 1884 — James M. Di- 
ment, E. C. ; D. S. Cunnnings, G. ; Frank 
Grant, C. G. ; G. C. Tanner, P.; J. D. Hol- 
den, S. W. ; IST. C. Larson, J. W. ; G. F. Al- 
bertus, T. ; L. L. Bennett, K. ; E. E. Bigelow, 
Std. B. ; W. H. Willsey, S. B. ; H. H. Rose- 
brock, W. ; D. S. Coverdale, 1st G. ; G. W. 
Shaw, Sen. 

Chosen April 12, 1886 — James M. Diment, 

E. C. ; D. S. Cummings, G. ; F. F. Grant, C. 
G. ; G. C. Tanner, P. ; N. C. Larson, S. W. ; 
K J. Schafer, J. W. ; W. H. Willsey, T. ; 
L. L. Bennett, E. ; D. S. Coverdale, St. B. ; 
T. J. Howe, S. B. ; E. E. Bigelow, W. ; G. 
W. Shaw, Sen. 

Chosen March 28, 1887 — Present officers: 

F. F. Grant, E. C. ; G. R. Buckman, G. ; N. 
C. Larson, C. G. ; L. L. Wheelock, P. ; N. J. 
Schafer, S. W. ; J. E. Truesdell, J. W. ; H. 
H. Rosebrock, Treas. ; T. J. Howe, R. ; J. 
A. Oppliger, St. B. ; G. F. Albertus, S. B. ; 
J. W. Conner, W. ; L. L. Bennett, 1st G. ; 
J. Z. Barncard, 2d G. ; J. M. Diment, 3d 
G. ; and G. W. Shaw, Sen. 

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. 

Star of the West Lodge, No llf.. — On the 
9th of August, 1864, J. ISTewsalt, then a 
member of Prairie Lodge No. 7, Winona, 
Minn., accompanied by E. K. Smith, P. J. 
Smith and R. C. Ambler, went to Rochester, 
where his companions were initiated by 
Rochester Lodge No. 13, and received all the 
degrees appertaining to a subordinate lodge 
of Odd Fellows. Through the kindness of 
the Rochester lodge the regular fees were 
refunded, with which a charter was jjrocured 
December 28, 1864, and Star of the West 
Lodge No. 14, 1. O. O. F., was duly instituted 
by M. W.G. M., C. D. Strong, assisted by P. 

G. M., O. J. Noble. The charter members 
were J. Newsalt, Wm. Hamburg, E. K. Smith, 
P. J, Smith, Eben Durham and W. H. Twi- 



ford. The first officers elected and installed 
were J. Newsalt, N. G. ; E. K. Smith, V. 
G. ; W. H. Twiford, Secy. ; and William 
Hamburg, Treas. On the evening of the 
organization of the lodge D. B. Marble, A. 
C. Hickman, and James Lee were admitted 
by card, and L. Bixby, G. W. Shaw and R. 
Joos by initiation. During the first term of 
six months three members were admitted 
by card and twelve by initiation. The of- 
ficers elected and installed for the second 
term, commencing July 1, 1865, were E. K. 
Smith, N. G. ; L. Bixby, V. G. ; A. C. Hick- 
man, Secy. ; D. B. Marble, Treas. ;and J. New- 
salt, D. D. G. M. During the second term, 
two were admitted by card and six by initia- 
tion. 

The following is a list of the officers who 
have served the lodge from 1865 until the 
present time. The date given refers to the 
commencement of the term : 

January 1, 1866— L. Bixby, N. G. ; D. B. 
Marble, V. G. ; A. S. Mygatt, Secy. ; G. W. 
Shaw, Treas. During this term five mem- 
bers were admitted by initiation. 

July 1, 1866 — D. B. Marble, N. G. ; G. 
W. Shaw, V. G. ; P. J. Smith, Secy. ; Wm. 
Pepper, Treas. ; E. K. Smith, D. D. G. M. 
Four members were admitted by card, and 
four by initiation. 

January 1,1867 — L. Bixby, N.G.; P. T. 
Smith, V. G. ; G. H. Tyrrell, Secy. ; P. 
McRostie, Treas. During this term five 
were admitted by initiation and one by 
card. 

July 1, 1867 — G. W. Shaw, N. G. ; Wm. 
Scruby, V. G. ; J. J. Thomas, Secy. ; R. T. 
Smith, Treas. ; L. Bixby, D. D. G. M. Dur- 
ing the term J. J. Thomas resigned, and C. 
S. Crandall was elected secretary to fill the 
vacancy. Eight members were initiated and 
one admitted as an Ancient Odd Fellow. 

January 1, 1S68.— G. II. Tyrrell, N. G. ; W. 
H. Reynolds, V. G. ; C. S. Crandall, Secy. ; 
Alson Selleck, Treas. During the early 
part of the term G. H. Tyrrell resigned the 
office of N. G., and L. Bixby was elected to 



218 



HISTOKY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



fill the office. Three members were admit- 
ted by initiation and two bj^ card. 

July, 1868 — William Reynolds, N. G.; 
William Pepper, V. G. ; J. W. Daniels, R. S. ; 
W. H. Sherman, Treas. 

January, 1869 — William Pepper, N. G. ; 
A. S. Mygatt, V. G. ; John Middaugh, R. S. ; 
Sydney Smith, Per. Sec. ; A. P. Requa (re- 
signed), E. B. Crooker, Treas. 

July, 1 869 — A. S. Mygatt, N. G. ; C. S. 
Crandall, V. G. ; E. T. Smith, R. S. ; George 
Mitchell, Treas. 

January, 1870 — C. S. Crandall, K G. ; J. 
D. Mitchell, V. G. ; A. A. Harwood, R. S. ; L. 
Bixby, Per. Sec. ; H. M. Brown, Treas. 

July, 1870 —J. D. Mitchell, N. G. ; George 
Mitchell. Y. G. ; H. N. Brown, R. S. ; J. C. 
Backus, Treas. 

January, 1871 — George Mitchell, N. G. ; 
J. C. Backus, V. G. ; J. Newsalt, R. S. ; 
William Pepper, Treas. 

July, 1871 — J. C. Backus, N. G. ; Geo. A. 
Black, V. G. ; E. K. Smith, R. S. ; George 
Mitchell, Treas. 

January, 1872 —George A. Black, N. G. ; 
John Cottier, V. G. ; E. K. Smith, R. S. ; 
A. C. Hickman, Treas. 

July, 1872 — John Cottier, N. G. ; James 
K. Price, V. G. ; William Reynolds, R. S. ; 
D. Lawson, Treas. 

January, 1873 — J. K. Price, N. G.; D. 
Lawson, V. G. ; A. S. Mygatt, R. S. ; G. W. 
Shaw, Treas. 

July, 1873 — D. Lawson, JST. G. ; J. P. 
Requa, V. G. ; E. K. Smith, R. S. ; G. W. 
Shaw, Treas. ; H. F. Luce, Treas. 

January, 1874 — P. McRostie, N. G. ; N. 
Searl, V. G. ; A. L. Harding, R. S. ; PL F. 
Luce, Per. Sec. ; George Mitchell, Treas. 

July, 1874 — George Mitchell, N. G. ; A. 
L. Harding, V. G. ; E. M. Arnold, R. S. ; E. 
K. Smith, Treas. 

January, 1875 — A. L. Harding, N. G. ; 
H. F. Luce, V. G. ; G. Peterson, R. S. ; W. H. 
Reynolds Per. Secy. ; H. M. Pepper, Treas. 

July, 1875— H.F. Luce, N. G. ; R. Lilly, 
V. G. ; G. Peterson, R. S. 



January, 1876 — R. Lilly, N. G. ; G. Peter- 
son, V. G. ; W. A. Dynes.'p. S.; H. F. Luce, 
Treas. ; E. K. Smith, P. S. 

July, 1876 — C. W. Burdick, K G. ; W. 
A. Dynes, V. G. ; E. C. Kinny, R. S. ; John 
Mitchell, Treas. 

January, 1877 — John Cottier, N. G. ; 
George Shaw, V. G. ; R. Lilly, R. S. ; T. R. 
Medd, P. S. 

July, 1877 — W. A. Dynes, N. G. ; E. C. 
Kinney, V. G. ; W. L. Winslow, R. S.; J. D. 
Mitchell, Treas. 

January, 1878 — E. C. Kinney, N. G. ; T. 
R. Medd, Y. G. ; F. C. Webb, R. S.; H. F. 
Luce, P. S. 

July, 1878 — T. R. Medd, N. G. ; E. R. 
Fenno, Y. G. ; R. L. Muckey, R. S. ; T. C. 
Webb, Treas. 

January, 1879 — E. R. Fenno, N. G. ; W. 
L. Winslow, Y. G. ; R. L. Muckey, R. S. ; R. 
Lilly, P. S. ; Geo. W. Shaw, Treas. 

July, 1879 — W. L. Winslow, N. G. ; 0. 
E. Parker, Y. G. ; R. LiUy, R. S. ; E. K. 
Smith, P. S. ; Geo. W. Shaw, Treas. 

January, 1880 — Geo. W. Shaw, N. G. ; 
H. F. Luce, Y. G. ; E. K. Smith, R. S. ; G. 
W. Peterson, P. S. ; W. H. Reynolds, Treas. 

July, 1880 — John Cottier, N. G.; Frank 
Webb, Y. G. ; H. F. Luce, R. S. ; E. R. 
Fenno, Treas. 

January, 1881 — F. C. Webb, N. G. ; W. 
Hughes, V. G. ; W. A. Dynes, R. S.; A. 
Simpson, P. S. ; E. R. Fenno, Treas. 

July, 1881 — T. R. Medd, K G.; A. Simp- 
son, V. G. ; Geo. H. Peterson, R. S. ; O. S. 
Boice, P. S. ; F. C. Webb, Treas. 

January, 1882 — A. Simpson, N. G. ; O. 
S. Boice, Y. G. ; Geo. Parrott, R. S. ; F. C. 
AYebb, P. S. ; E. R. Fenno, Treas. 

July, 1882 — O. S. Boice, N. G. ; Geo. Par- 
rott, Y. G. ; J. W. McKinny, R. S. ; John 
Cottier, Treas. 

Junuary, 1883 — Geo. Parrott, N. G. ; J. 
H. Hehvig, Y. G. ; J. W. McKinny, R. S. ; 
G. W. Peachy, P. S. ; A. Simpson, Treas. 

July, 1883 — F. C. Webb, N. G. ; J. H. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



219 



Helwig, y. G. ; E. Fuller, R. S. ; O. S. Boice, 
Treas. 

Januaiy, 1884— J. II. Hehvig, N. G. ; E. 
Fuller, V. G. ; G. H. Peterson, K. S. ; H. F. 
Luce, P. S. ; John Cottier, Treas. 

July, 1881— E. Fuller, K G. ; George 
Peachy, V. G. ; F. C. Webb, II. S. ; Mr. 
Andrews, Treas. 

January, 1885 — George Peachy, N. G. ; 
James Brown, V. G. ; F. C. Webb, E. S. ; 
George Parrott, P. S. ; John Cottier, Treas. 

July, 1885 — James Brown, N. G. ; J. II. 
Dewart, V. G. ; F. C. Webb, E. S. ; John 
Cottier, Treas. 

January, 1886 — H. F. Luce, N. G. ; John 
A. Shaw, Y. G. ; F. C. Webb, E. S. ; T. J. 
Gillam, See}'. ; John Cottier, Treas. 

July, 1886— H. F. Luce, N. G. ; J. A. 
Shaw, V. G. ; F. C. Webb, E. S. ; John Cot- 
tier, Treas. 

January, 1887— John A. Shaw, N. G. ; E. 
H. S. Dart, V. G. ; F. C. Webb, E. S ; 
George Parrott, P. S. ; John Cottier, Treas. 

July, 1887— Mr. Wright, N. G. ; W. F. 
Barker, V. G. ; F. C. Webb, E. S. ; John 
Cottier, Treas. ; George W. Shaw, Warden ; 
Geo. H. Peterson, E. S. N. G. ; J. H. Hel- 
wig, L. S. N. G. ; Mr. McGillan, I. G., and 
Cliap. Eev. J. C. Ogle. 

The lodge now has Mty-Uve members in 
good standing. Its financial condition is ex- 
cellent, as it has money in the treasury, be- 
sides considerable loaned out. The first meet- 
ings of the lodge were held in Morford's 
hall, which is now occupied by Eosebrock's 
furniture store. A short time later, a room 
over what is now Mr. Holt's general store 
was used, and a couple of years later they 
occupied a room adjoining that one. Afier 
four or five years, a third story was added 
to the building which they now occupy, and 
for a consideration of ' $1,100 they secured a 
ninety -nine-year lease of it. The money was 
raised by the organization of a stock com- 
pan}' and the issuance of certificates. It is 
all paid, and the lodge is out of debt. The 
lodge-room is appropriatety furnished, and 



they possess a full outfit of neat and tasty 
regalias. 

Goethe lodge, JVo. 38, I. 0. 0. i^.— This 
lodge was organized at Owatonna, April 25, 
1873, by Grand Master E. K. Smith, of Owa- 
tonna, assisted by Eobert Smith, Y. G. M. 
The following is a list of those present : 
Past Grands J. Newsalt, William Pepper, 
A. S. Mygatt, W. H. Eeynolds, G. A. Black, 
and Brothers L. Bion, A. Butsch, G. Sie- 
bold, J. Deeg and A. Hafemann. At that 
time there were initiated John Ilammel, F. 
Mudeking and J. II. Ilartwig. The first of- 
ficers were elected at the same meeting, as 
follows : J. Newsalt, N. G. ; L. Bion, Y. G. ; 
Eichard Joos, P. S. ; G. Siebolt, Secy. ; A. 
Butsch, Treas. 

The following is a list of the officers who 
have served this lodge since its organization, 
as shown by the record of elections : 

Elected June 30, 1873 — J. Newsalt, N. 
G. ; L. Bion, Y. G. ; G. Siebold, E. Secy. ; 
Eichard Joos, P. S. ; A. Butsch, Treas. 

December 31, 1873 — Louis Bion, N. G. ; 
Adam Butsch, Y. G. ; John Deeg, E. S. ; J. 
Newsalt, P. S. ; J. Newsalt, Treas. 

June 30, 1874 — A. Butsch, N. G.; John 
Deeg, Y. G. ; John Hammel, E. S. ; J. New- 
salt, P. S. ; Albert Hafemann, Treas. 

December 31, 1871 — John Deeg, N. G. ; 
Albert Hafemann, Y. G. ; John Hammel, E. 
S. ; J. Newsalt, P. S. ; Fred Mudeking, Treas. 

June 30, 1875 — A. Hafemann, N. G. ; John 
Hammel, Y. G. ; L. Bion, E. S. ; Jacob New- 
salt, P. S. ; John A. Butsch, Treas. 

December 31, 1875 — John Hammel, N. G. ; 
F. Mudeking, Y. G. ; J. Newsalt, E. S. ; E. 
Deininger, P. S. ; Theo. Fedder, Treas. 

June 30, 1876 — F. Mudeking, N. G. ; 
Theo. Fedder, Y. G. ; Gustav Siebold, E. S. ; 
E. Deininger, P. S. ; John Deeg, Treas. 

December 30, 1876 — L. Bion, N. G. ; G. 
Siebold, Y. G. ; John Hammel, E. S. ; E. 
Deiningei', P. S. ; Geo. A. Eossbach, Treas. 

June 30, 1877— G. Siebold, N. G. ; Theo. 
Fedder, Y. G. ; J. Newsalt, E. S. ; E. Deinin- 
ger, P. S. ; L. Bion, Treas. 



220 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



December 31, 1877 — L. Bion, N. G. ; R. 
Deininger, V. G. ; AVilliara Scheele, E. S. ; 
John Deeg, P. S. ; John Hammel, Treas. 

June 30, 1878 — L. Bion, K G. ; Robt. 
Deininger, V. G. ; J. Newsalt, R. S. ; John 
Deeg, P. S. ; Geo. A. Rossbach, Treas. 

December 31, 1878 — R. Deininger, N. G. ; 
W. H. Scheele, V. G. ; John Hammel, R. S. ; 
John Deeg, P. S. ; G. A. Rossbach, Treas. 

June 30, 1879 — G. A. Rossljach, N. G. ; 
Charles Lorence, V. G. ; John Hammel, R. 
S. ; John Deeg, P. S. ; L. Bion, Treas. 

December 31, 1879 —Emil Theimer, N. G. ; 
John Butsch, V. G. ; John Hammel, R. S. ; 
John Deeg, P. S. ; Robt. Deininger, Treas. 

June 30, 1880 — John Butsch, N. G. ; 
Charles Lorence, V. G. ; L. Bion, R. S. ; John 
Deeg, P. S. ; R. Deininger, Treas. 

December 31, 1880 — C. M. Lorence, N. G. ; 
C. F. Hummer, Y. G. ; E. Theimer, R. S. ; J. 
Ganser, P. S. ; R. Deininger, Treas. 

June 30, 1881 — W. Scheele, IST. G. ; J. 
Ganser, V. G. ; E. Theimer, R. S. ; Jacob 
Thon, P. S. ; R. Deininger, Treas. 

December 31, 1881 — J. P. Ganser, K G. ; 
Jacob Thon, V. G. ; Louis Bion, R. S. ; Louis 
Bion, P. S. ; R. Deininger, Treas. 

June 30, 1882 — Louis Bion, K G. ; A. 
Schlesinger, V. G. ; E. E. Aukes, R. S. ; E. 
E. Aukes, P. S. ; R. Deininger, Treas. 

December 31, 1882- John Deeg, N. G.; 
E. E. Aukes, V. G. ; John Hammel, R. S. ; 
John Hammel, P. S. ; Robt. Deininger, Treas. 

June 30, 1883 — E. E. Aukes, N. G. ; Jacob 
Thon, V. G.; John Hammel, R. S. ; John 
Hammel, P. S. ; L. Bion, Treas. 

December 31, 1883— Robt. Deininger, N. 
G. ; Charles "Wiese, V. G. ; John Hammel, 
R. S. ; John Hammel, P. S. ; Theo. Fedder, 
Treas. 

June 30, 1884 — A. Schlesinger, K G. ; 
Charle}' Wiese, Y. G. ; John Hammel, R. 
S. ; John Hammel, P. S. ; Theo. Fedder, 
Treas. 

December 31, 1881 — Charles Wiese, N. 
G. ; Henry Sanders, V. G. ; John Hammel, 
R. S. and P. S. ; Theo. Fedder, Treas. 



June 30, 1885— Henry Sanders, N. G. ; 
Charles Moldenhauer, V. G. ; John P. Ganser, 
R. S. ; Theo. Fedder, Treas. 

December 31, 1885 — Charles Moldenhauer, 
N. G. ; J. P. Thon, V. G. ; J. P. Ganser, R. 
S. ; Theo. Fedder, Treas. 

June 30, 1886 — Jacob Thon, N. G.; Gustav 
Schwandlce, V. G. ; John Hammel, R. S. and 
P. S. ; Theo. Fedder, Treas. 

December 31, 1886 — Gustav A. Schwan- 
dke, N. G. ; AV illiam Wichlow, V. G. ; John 
Hammel, R. S. and P. S.; Theo. Fedder, 
Treas. 

June 30, 1887 — William Wichlow, N. G. ; 
John Thon, V. G. ; John Hammel, R. S. and 
P. S. ; Theo. Fedder, Treas. ; John Degg, 
Conductor ; F. Schuman, Warden ; Robert 
Deininger, R. S. of N. G. ; Matt Bion, L. S. 
of N. G. ; Henry Sanders, I. G. ; William 
Scheele, O. G. 

The lodge held meetwigs at first in the hall 
of Star of the West Lodge. Afterward they 
used Adam Butsch's building, on Main street. 
In 1879 they moved in the present lodge 
room, in the Morehouse block, on Broadway. 
The room is nicely furnished, they own neat 
regalia, and have money on interest. They 
now (June, 1887) have fifty-two members in 
good standing, of which number the follow- 
ing are Past-Grands: J. Newsalt, L. Bion, 
John Deeg, John Hammel, F. Mudeking, R. 
Deininger, Theo. Fedder, J. A. Butsch, Emil 
Theimer, Charles Lorence, William Scheele, 
A. Graffmlieller, John Ganser, E. E. Aukes, 
Charles Wiese, Llenry Sander and J. Thon. 
This lodge has furnished officers of the Grand 
Lodge of the State on two occasions: J. New- 
salt, Grand Master, and Emil Theimer, Grand 
Herald. 

Behecca. — During the first term of Star 
of the West Lodge in 1805, a Rebecca organ- 
ization was formed in which all scarlet degree 
members were entitled to membershij), also 
the wives of scarlet degree members. The 
object of this degree was for the especial 
benefit of the wives of members. The or- 
ganization was maintained on account of the 



HISTOET OF STEELE COUNTY. 



221 



beneficial social features which it embraced, 
until several years ago, when it was aband- 
oned. 

Central Encampment, Mo. J/., I. 0. 0. F 
— On the afternoon of March 31, 1869, C. 
A. Strong, D. D. G. S. ; C. C. Comee, G. M., 
and theP's from the Rochester and Star of 
the West Lodges met in the hall of the Star 
of the West Lodge, Owatonna, for the pur- 
pose of organizing an encampment, a dispen- 
sation having already been granted. The 
following were the first members: C. C. 
Comee, D. B. Marble, Luther Bixby, E. K. 
Smith, J. W. Daniels, A. S. Mygatt, Wm. 
Reynolds and William Pepper. In addition 
to this list, the following named became 
members, either at the first or second meet- 
ing : E. B. Crooker, J. W. Dresser, C. W. 
Hastings, John Middaugh, H. M. Brown, C. 
S. Crandall and A. C. Hickman. 

The following is a list of the officers who 
have been chosen at the various elections 
held since the encampment was organized : 

Elected March 31, 1869: C. C. Comee, C. 
P. ; D. B. Marble, H. P. ; E. K. Smith, S. 
W. ; J. W. Daniels, J. W. ; A. S. Mygatt, S. ; 
W. H. Reynolds, Treas. 

June 16, 1869 — L. Bixby, C. P.; E. K. 
Smith, II. P. ; A. C. Hickman, S. W. ; John 
Middaugh, J. W. ; J. C. Backus, Secy. ; H. 
M. Brown, Treas. 

December 15, 1869— E. K. Smith, C. P. ; 
A. C. Hickman, II. P.; J. C. Backus, S. 
W. ; John Middaugh, S. ; W. M. Reynolds, 
J. W. ; H. M. Brown, Treas. 

August 3, 1870— E. K. Smith, C. P. ; J. C. 
Backus, H. P. ; O. M. Hammond. S. W. ; C. 
S. Crandall, J. W. ; E. T. Smith, S. ; II. M. 
Brown, Treas. 

January 4, 1871 — A. C. Hickman, C. P.; 
O. M. Hammond, H. P. ; Wm. Pepper, S. 
W. ; H. M. Brown, J. W. ; E. B. Crooker, 
S. ; W. II. Reynolds, Treas. 

July 5, 1871—0. M. Hammond, C. P. ; J. 
C. Backus, II. P. ; E. T. Smith, S. W. ; D. 
Lawson, J. W. ; E. K. Smith, S. ; A. C. 
Hickman, Treas. 



January 3, 1872— J. C. Backus, C. P. ; E. 
T. Smith," H. P. ; W. H. Reynolds, S. W. ; J. 
Newsalt, J. W. ; E. K. Smith, S. ; A. C. 
Hickman, Treas. 

June 19, 1872— L. Bixley, C. P. ; D. Law- 
son, H. P. ; J. Newsalt, S. W. ; George A 
Black, J. W. ; E. K. Smith, S. ; O. M. Ham- 
mond, T. . 

January 1, 1873- D. Lawson, C. P. ; W 
H. Reynolds, 11. P. ; Geo. A. Black, S. W. 
J. C. Backus, J. W. ; E. K. Smith, S. ; J. Iv 
Rice, T. 

June 18, 1873— W. H. Reynolds, C. P. 
G. A. Black, II. P. ; A. S. Mygatt, S. W. 
D. Lawson, J. W. ; E. K. Sm'ith, S. ; E. K 
Smith, T. 

December, 1873 — W. H. Reynolds, C. P. 
Wm. Pepper, H. P. ; J. Newsalt, S. W. ; G 
F. Doolittle, J. W.; L. Bixby, S. ; J. C 
Backus, T. 

June 17,1874: — Wdliam Pepper, C. P. ; J 
Newsalt, H. P. ; G. F. Doolittle, S. W. ; H, 
F. Luce, J. W. ; A. L. Harding, S. ; G. W 
Shaw, T. 

December 16, 1874 — J. Newsalt, C. P. 
A. L. Harding, H. P.; L. Bion, S. W. ; W, 
H. Reynolds, T. ; C. P. Lilly, S. 

June 16, 1875 — A. L. Harding, C. P. ; G 

F. Doolittle, H. P. ; H. F. Luce, S. W. ; R 
Lilly, S. ; G. W. Shaw, T. ; D. Lawson, J. W 

December 15, 1875 — A. L. Harding, C. P. 
H. F. Luce, II. P. ; R. Lilly, S. W. ; E. K 
Smith, J. W. ; G. II. Peterson, S. ; G. W, 
Shaw, T. 

June 2, 1876 — H. F. Luce, C. P. ; R. Lilly, 
H. P. ; G. W. Shaw, S. W. ; John Cottier, 
J. W. ; G. II. Peterson, S. ; J. Newsalt, T. 

December 20, 1876 — R. Lilly, C. P. ; P. 
McRostie,II. P.; W. A. Dynes, S.W.; John 
Cottier, J. W. ; John Hammel, T. ; E. K. 
Smith, S. 

June 20, 1877 — P. McRostie, C. P.; W. 
A. Dynes, II. P.; G. W. Shaw, S. W. ; W. 
H. Reynolds, J. W. ; E. K. Smith, S. ; John 
Hammel, T. 

December 19, 1877 — AV. A. Dynes, C. P. ; 

G. W. Shaw, H. P. ; John Cottier, S. W. ; R. 



222 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Lilly, J. ^y. ; E. K. Smith, S. ; John Ilam- 
mel, T. 

June 19, 1878— G. W. Shaw, C. P. ; John 
Coftier, H. P. ; John Ilammel, S. W. ; W. H 
Eeynolds, J. W. ; G. H. Peterson, S. ; W. A 
Dynes, T. 

December 27, 1878 — John Cottier, C. P. 
John Hammel, 11. P. ; G. H. Peterson, S. W. 
E. K. Smith, S. ; G. W. Shaw, T. ; W. A 
Dynes, J. "W. 

June 18, 1879— John Ilammel, C. P. ; G 
H. Peterson, H. P. ; E. C. Kinney, S. W. 
W. H. Reynolds, J. W. ; G. W. Shaw, T. ; 

E. K. Smith, S. 

December 17, 1879 — Geo. H. Peterson, 
C. P. ; E. C. Kinney, H. P. ; P. McDonald, 
S. W. ; W. II. Reynolds, J. W. ; E. K. Smith, 
S. ; G. W. Shaw, T. 

August 4, 1880 — John Cottier, C. P. ; II. 

F. Luce, 11. P. ; A. Simpson, S. "W. ; John 
Ilammel, J. W. ; E. K. Smith, S. ; G. W. 
Shaw, T. 

Januarys, 1881 — J. Newsalt, C. P.; L. 
Bion, 11. P. ; A. Simpson, S. W. ; G. H. 
Peterson, J. W. ; E. K. Smith, S. ; John 
Plammel, T. 

January 3, 1882 — L. Bion, C. P.; John 
Cottier, H. P. ; J. H. Helwig, S. W. ; H. F. 
Luce, J. W. ; G. H. Peterson, S.; John 
Hammel, T. 

December 20, 1882 — John Cottier, C. P. 
J. H. Helwig, H. P. ; John Hammel, S. W. 
W. H. Reynolds, J. W. ; G. H. Peterson, S 

December 5, 1883 — G. W. Shaw, C. W. 
J. H. Helwig, H. P. ; W. H. Reynolds, J 
W. ; G. H. Peterson, S. ; H. F. Luce, T. 

December 17, 1881 — G. W. Shaw, C. P. 
J. H. Helwig, H. P. ; John Hammel, S. W. 
W. H. Reynolds, J. W. ; G. II. Peterson, S. 
H. F. Luce, T. 

December 16, 1885 — J. II. Helwig, C. P. 
John Cottier, II. P. ; E. Theimer, S. W. ; R 
Deininger, J. W. ; G. H. Peterson, S. 

December 15, 1886 — (present officers) — 
Emil Theimer, C. P. ; F. C. Webb, H. P. ; 
R. Deininger, S. W. ; J. A. Shaw, J. W. ; G. 
H. Peterson, S.; H. F. Luce, T. ; F. G. Shu- 



man, P. S. ; H. Sanders, O. S. ; J. JSTewsalt, 
G. ; John Helwig, 1st W. ; John Cottier, 2d 
W. ; II. F. Luce, 3d W. ; G. W. Shaw, 4th 
W. ; John Cottier, George H. Peterson and 
George W. Shaw, trustees. 

The Encampment meetings since its organ- 
ization have always been held in the Star of 
the West Lodge rooms, where the}" own 
the necessarjr furniture and paraphernalia, 
together with handsome regalia. The en- 
campment is in good condition tinancialty, 
and has been from the start. This order is 
in Odd Fellowship one step higher than the 
Subordinate Lodges ; and any "third degree 
Odd Fellow '" in good standing is eligible to 
membership in the camp. 

GE.\ND ARMY OF THE EEPrBLIC. 

This organization is not an ancient one, 
being the outgrowth of the civil war. Every 
soldier who was honorably discharged from 
service is eligible to membership. The ob- 
jects of the organization are to preserve and 
strengthen the fraternal feelings which bound 
soldiers together upon the field and in camp, 
and to perpetuate the memory and history of 
the beloved dead. Also to assist, in their 
declining \"ears, such former comrades in 
arms as, from wounds and hardships, might 
need help and protection ; and to care for the 
widows and orphans of those who fell. It is 
non-political, and no discussion of partisan 
questions is allowed at their meetings. As a 
matter of interest we give a list of the present 
officers of the G. A. R. of the department of 
Minnesota, as the Commander is a citizen of 
Owatonna. They are as follows: L. L. 
Wheelock, of Owatonna, department com- 
mander; E. R. Jefferson, of Duluth, senior 
vice-commander ; J. H. Ege, of ilinneapohs, 
junior vice-commander; D. P. Kennedy, of 
Litchfield, medical director ; W. E. Stanley, 
of Austin, chaplain. 

James A. Goodwin Post, JVo. SI — Was 
organized at Owatonna on the 21st of March, 
1884, the first meeting being held at the 
Knights of Honor hall, on the evening of 
that date. R. A. Becker, senior vice dep't 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



223 



com., and Comrades Zeigbaum, Leibold and 
Waffle came down from St. Paul and 
assisted in effecting an organization. There 
were thirty-six charter members, as follows : 
L. L. AVheelock, J. W. Burch, John Helwig, 
E. A. Tyler, W. A. Dynes, C. W. Hadley, 
Oscar Gross, Frank L. Melvin, L. L. Inman, 
J. Z. Barncard, S. N. Lund, J. L. Harrington, 
W. W. Day, George E. Sloan, David Curtis, 
John R3'an, Oscar Murphy, R. H. Eeynolds, 
A. Hemingway, E. P. Norton, F. M. Banter, 
Eli I. Williamson, C. M. Williamson, William 
Gamble, C. W. Wilkinson, J. D. Backus, J. 
E. Teed, D. W. Williamson, W. H. Twiford, 
E. E. Bigelow, D. O. Searle, H. J. Robinson, 
J. Fredenburg, Horace Smith, J. D. Holden, 
and Orlando Lindersmith. 

The first officers were elected at the first 
meeting, and served until the following 
annual election, on the second Tuesday in 
Januarj\ The officers have been as follows : 

Elected March 21, 1884 — L. L. Wheelock, 
P. C. ; E. A. Tyler, S. V. C ; D. O. Searle, 
J. V. C. ; J. H. Helwig, A. ; W. A. Dynes, 
Q. M. ; J. L. Harrington, S. ; J. Newton 
Brown, C. ; J. Z. Barncard, O. D. ; E. P. 
Norton, O. G. ; C. B. Wilkinson, S. ; J. D. 
Holden, Q. M. S. 

Elected January, 1885 — L. L. Wheelock, 
P. C. ; E. A. Tyler, S. V. C. ; W. W. Day, 
J. V. C. ; J. Z. Barncard, O. D. ; J. H. 
Helwig, Adj. ; E. I. Williamson, Chap. ; E. 
P. Norton, O. G. ; J. L. Harrington, Sur. ; 
S. B. Wilkinson, S. M. ; W. A. Dynes, Q. 
M. ; J. D. Holden, Q. M. S. 

Elected January, 1886 — E. A. Tyler, P. 
C. ; F. M. Banter, S. V. C. ; W. W. Day, J. 
V. C. ;E. E. Bigelow, Sur. ; C. B. Wilkinson, 
O. D. ; D. W. Williamson, O. G. ; E. I. Will- 
iamson, C. ; T. W. Hanks, Q. M. ; D. S. Cov- 
erdale, Q. M. S. ; J. H. Helwig, Adj. ; C. W. 
Hadley, S. M. 

Elected Januar}^ 1887 — J. Z. Barncard, 
P. C. ; George E. Sloan, S. V. C. ; F. C. Berg, 
J. Y. C. ; E. E. Bigelow, Sur. ; Chas. Gid- 
dings, O. D. ; C. B. Wilkinson, C. ; F. M. 
Bauter, Q. M. ; E. P. Norton, O. G. ; J. W 



Burch, Adj.; C. H. Sterns, S. M.; W. A. 
Dynes, Q. M. S. 

Meetings were held in the Knights of 
Honor hall on Cedar street until August, 
1887, when they removed to their j^resent 
quarters — G. A. R. hall — over the post- 
office. The rooms are comfortable and well 
furnished and arranged. They hold a five- 
years' lease. The financial condition of the 
post is excellent. Socially and officially 
matters have run very smoothly in the post 
since its organization ; the best of feeling 
has and does exist between all the comrades, 
and no petty strife, jealousies or trouble of 
any kind has ever occurred to mar the fra- 
ternal feeling of the members, and for 
smooth sailing and competent, careful man- 
agement, the James A. Goodwin Post has 
made a record w^hich is known throughout 
the State. 

The meml)ership of the post increased 
very rapidljr from the start, and now its roll 
contains the names of 136 members. The 
following is a descriptive list of the mem- 
bers as shown by the books in August, 1887, 
giving the name of the member, rank at 
time of discharge from the army, his com- 
pany and regiment and date of discharge, 
viz : 

L. L. Wheelock, ciiptaia, C, 160th N. Y., Nov., 1865. 

J. W. Burch, major, 44th Ind., 1865. 

H. R. Thompson, private, E, 4th Minn., .Jan., 1865. 

Jchn Helwig. private, C, 35th Iowa, May, 1865. 

E. A. Tyler, lieutenant, E., 1st Minn., March, 1865. 

W. A. Dynes, com. ser., 72d cav., March, 18G6. 

L. C. Berg, musician, K, 28tli Wis., Aug., 1865. 

C. W. Hadley, corporal, H, 14th Iowa, March, 1863. 

Oscar Gross, private, G, 1st oMinn., Sept., 1861. 

Harvey Fletcher, wagoner, E, 4th Minn., .July, 1865. 

C. O. Easton, private, D, 33d Wis., Jan., 1865. 
Frank L. Melvin, private. A, 10th Jlinn., Aug., 1865. 
L. L. Inman, sergeant, F, l.st Wis. cav., April, 1865. 
J. Z. Barncard, lieutenant., B, 2d Minn., Jan., 1864. 
Theo. Chambers, private, F, 95th 111., Aug., 1865. 

S. N. Lund, private. A, 3d Wis., July, 1864. 

J. L. Harrington, asst. sur., 4th Vermont, Aug., 1865. 

D. F. Betchen, private. Board of Trade bat., Chi- 
cago, Jan., 1865. 

W. W. Day, private, D, lOlh Wis., Dec, 1864. 
George E. Sloan, private, I, 142d N. Y., Jan., 1865. 
David Curtis, private, K, 3d Wis., July, 1865. 



224 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



John Ryan, private, F, 4tli Minn., Dec, 1804. 
Oscar Murphy, .sergeant, D, 3d Wis. cav., Feb., ISGo. 
Julius F. Young, musician, A, 30th Wis., July, 1865. 
M. A. McAudrews, corporal Hat. L, jNIian. 
L. H. Lane, captain, I, 33d Ohio, July, 1865. 
R. H. Reynolds, corporal, E, 10th Minn., Aug., 1865. 
A. Hemingway, corporal, B, 32d Wis., June, 1865. 
E. P. Norton, private, D, 9th Maine, Aug., 1865. 
P. M. Bauter, private, E, 11th Mich., April, 1863. 
W. C. McGowan, private, I, 142d N. Y., April, 1864. 
E. I. Williamson, sergeant, G, 3d Minn, cav., Dec, 
1865. 
Oscar Tiffany, sergeant, E, 4th Minn., July, 1865. 
G. W. Buffum, captain, I, 1st Wis., Dec, 1865. 
C. M. Williamson, private, E, 1st Minn., May, 1865. 
William Gamble, private, D, 9th Wis., Oct., 1865. 

C. B. Wilkinson, captain. A, 3d Minn., Aug., 1865. 
J. D. Backus, private, D, 123d N. Y., Jan., 1865. 
J. Teed, musician. A, 10th Minn., Aug., 1865. 

D. W. Williamson, corporal, F, 3d Minn., Sept., 1865. 
W. H. Twiford, surgeon, 37th Ind., July, 1864. 

E. E. Bigelow, sergeant, D, 29lh Wis., 1863. 

W. H. Ilolden, private, E, 128th N. Y., Jan., 1865. 

Edward Kingsbury, private, F, 33d Wis., May, 1863. 

Samuel Ellis, private. A, 95th 111., Aug., 1865. 

Andrew Meehan, private, C, 1st Minn, heavy art., 
June, 1865. 

James Hannah, private, B, 10th Minn., July, 1865. 

J. D. Carter, private, K, 3d Minn., Sept., 1864. 

Jason Bemis, corporal, F, 3d Ohio cav., Sept., 18G4. 

D. H. Sutton, private, G, 17th HI. cav., Jan., 1866. 

D. R, Pike, musician, K, 137th N. Y., July, 1865. 

Wm. Rosenthal], private, I, 4th Minn., Jan., 1865. 

S. M. Kinney, private. A, 10th Minn., May, 1865. 

P. Leibold, private, D, 8th Minn., July, 1865. 

Jos. B. Tudor, private, F, 7th Mo. cav., Nov., 1865. 

G. Gross, private, C, 3d Minn, cav., Nov., 1865. 

Edw. Davis, private, C, 3d Minn, cav., Nov., 1865. 

J. M. Buriingame, private, B, 127th N. Y., May, 1865. 

Fred. Boll, private, G, 1st Minn., May, 1865. 

Jos. Cobb, private, H, 4th Minn., June, 1865. 

Thos. Coney, private, C, 3d Minn, cav., Nov., 1865. 

T. H. Kelley, 

John Lippert, private, E, 45th Wis., July, 1865. 

D. S. Coverdale, captain, K, 3d Minn., Aug., 1865. 

C. Batzel, private, E, 1st Minn., July, 1865. 

Ed. Garrett, corporal, B, 10th Minn., Aug., 1865. 

Geo. Naylor, private, H, 3d Minn., Nov., 1864. 

W. E. Martin, private, A, 10th Minn., July, 1865. 

T. C. Kenyon, private, C, 3d Minn, cav., Nov., 1865. 

John Reash, private, B, 1st Minn, heavy art.. June, 
1865. 

0. V. Musser, private, H, 38th Wis., Jan., 1865. 

Andrew Fischer, lieutenant I, 143d N. Y., June, 1865. 

Henry Walter, private, K, 1st Minn, heavy art., Sept., 
1865. 



A. S. Bragg, corporal, I, 4th Minn., Jan., 1865. 

Godfried Boshard, private, D, 9th Wis., Dec, 1864. 

R. H. Johnson, private, I, 11th Minn., July, 1865. 

Hugh Bradley, private, F, 7th Minn., Aug.. 1865. 

Warren S.. Reynolds, private, 48th Ohio bat., July, 
1865. 

J. L. Roberts, private, 53d 111., Sept., 1863. 

AV. A. Hinchley, private, C, 16th Wis., July, 1865. 

S. N. Ilarter, private, F, 18th Wis., Jan., 1865. 

H. Ward well, private, K, 33d Wis., July, 1865. 

F. C. Berg, private, A, 28th Wis., Aug., 1865. 

H. A. Finch, sergeant, G, 16th Wis., July, 1865. 

Henry Rand, private, B, 32d Wis., June, 1865. 

J. N. Morrison, corporal, G. 2d Minn, cav., Dec. ,1865. 

T. Hennessey; private. I, 49tli Wis., Nov., 1865. 

T. W. Hanks, bugler, 3d Minn, light ar., Feb., 1866. 

Nis Nelson, private, E, l.st Col. cav., Nov., 1865. 

C. H. Randall, private, F, 37th Wis , May, 1865. 

Martin Halley, private, C, 134th N. Y., Jan., 1865. 

John Blythe,private,C,lst Minn. heav. art.. June, 1865. 

J. C. Hemingway, private, I, 1st Minn., Jul}', 1865. 

Geo. H. Curtis, private. A, 10th Minn., August, 1865. 

W. G. Mason, private, I, 2d Jlinn., Sept., 1864. 

N. P. Thimsen, private, K, 2d Minn, cav.. May, 1865, 

W. H. Burns, private, C, 3d Minn, cav., Nov., 1865. 

J. S. Bixby, private, A, 10th Minn., Aug., 1865. 

C. B. Pettie, private. A, 10th Minn., June, 1865. 

S. R. Anderson, private, H, 1st Minn, heavy art., 
Sept., 1865. 

S. B. Hough, private, G, 9th 111. Cav. 

S. 11. Stowers, lieutenant. A, 10th Minn., ]\Iay, 1865. 

A. A. Famsworth, private, G, 17th 111. Cav., Jan., 
1865. 

H. Rosenau, private, L, 1st Minn. heav. art., Sept., 
1865. 

E. Austin, private, 3d Wis. cav., May, 1865. 
Mark H. Dunnell, colonel, 5th Maine, Aug., 1861. 
A. W. Reed, private, A. 10th Minn., October, 1864. 
Cha.s. Vose, private, F, 9th Wis., Dec, 1864. 

F. Zwiencr, private, E, 20th Wis., Jan., 1865. 

C. ri. Sterns, corporal, 1st Iowa bat., Sept., 1863. 
Mcrton Stanchoff, three years. 

George Gliechman, private, B, 26th Wis., Jiuie, 1865. 
Chas. D. Giddings, quartermaster, Ship Ouachta, 
January, 1865. 

D. Fuller, private, B, 34th N. Y. bat., Jan., 1865. 
A. M. Kinyon, private, K, 29th Wis., 1863. 
James Brown, farrier, D, 11th N. Y. cav. 

James Oleson, private; K, 8th Wis., Sept., 1865. 

L. O. Gaylord, private. A, 1st Minn, art., June, 1865. 

Ezra Town, private, E, 4th Jlinn., July, 186.5. 

Newton Parker, private, E, 1st Minn.. July, 1865. 

Aug. Kreger, private, E, 27th Wis., Aug., 1865. 

P. Mallinger, lieutenant, F, 9lh Wis. 

A. W. Jones, private, A, 10th Minn., Aug., 1865. 

L. P. Hall, private, G, 3d Minn., Nov., 1804. 

A. Colquhon, private, D, 11th Minn., June, 1865. 

Fred Yanke, private, G, 43d Wis., Feb. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



225 



OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. 

Owatonna Tunimrein. — This society was 
organized Jul}' 3, 1883, the first meeting 
being held at Butsch's hall. It was organized 
for gymnastic purposes, and at the start had 
fifteen members. The first officers elected 
were as follows : J. Newsalt, president ; C. 
Butsch, vice-president ; J. Glaeser, secretary ; 
Theo. Fedder, corresponding secretary; J. 
A. Butsch, treasurer ; J. P. and John Thon, 
teachers. ' 

The following named have filled the various 
offices since the society was organized : J. 
JSTewsalt, R. Deininger, J. Newsalt and Theo. 
Fedder, presidents ; C. Butsch, John Deeg, 
Peter Ganser, F. Rosebrock, John Thon, H. 
Sanders and F. Hagedorn, vice-presidents ; 
J. Glaeser, Theo. Fedder, J. Hammel, Jr., 
Peter Ganser, J. P. Thon, H. Sanders, John 
Hammel and J. P. Thon, secretaries ; J. A. 
Butsch and R. Deininger, treasurers ; J. P. 
Thon, John Thon, F. Schuman, C. Butsch, 
R. Bartosch, George Newsalt and L. Ham- 
mel, teachers. 

The present officers of the society were 
elected December 27, 1886, and are as follows : 
Theo. Fedder, president; F. Hagedorn, vice- 
president ; J. P. Thon, secretaiy ; John 
Hammel, corresponding secretaiy ; R. Dein- 
inger, treasurer ; John Thon and L. Hammel, 
teachers ; H. Rosebrock, warden. 

The society now has thirty-eight members. 
Meetings are held once each week in Twiss' 
building, on Broadway, but gymnastic or 
turning exercises are had every Tuesday and 
Friday evenings. 

G. S. P. S. — Society of Minnesota, Lodge 
No. G7, Bohemian Slovanik Benevolent 
society. This lodge works under the auspi- 
ces of the supreme lodge, which was institu- 
ted at St. Louis in 1854 ; and under the 
Grand Lodge of the State of Minnesota. 
The society at Owatonna is named Lodge 
No. 67, Bohemian Slovanik Benevolent So- 
ciety of Minnesota. This lodge was instituted 
on the 15th of January, 1881, by authority 
of the Grand Lodge of the State. It has 



for its objects friendship, benevolence and 
charity. The weelcly sick benefits are fixed 
at $3 for each week of sickness, and at the 
death of a member the sum of $1,000 is paid 
to his heirs. The charter members of this 
lodge were : Anton Zajic, Joseph Arsen, 
Vac. Kovar, L. L. Marek, Joseph Cepelak, 
Frank Sejkora, Eduard Bros, and Joseph F. 
Racek. The terms of membership are from 
$5 to $15. The principal officers elected are 
president, vice-president, secretary, treas- 
urer, financier and three trustees. The trus- 
tees are elected every two years, the other 
officers annually. Meetings are held month- 
ly. The annual dues are $5 per year for 
each member. On the 16th of July, 1885, 
the society was incorporated, Avith Joseph H. 
H. Soukup, president, and Frank Kovar, secre- 
tary. The present officers are as follows : 
Joseph "W". Kaplan, embassador; Alois L. 
Simon, president ; John Dusek, vice-presi- 
dent ; Joseph H. Soukup, secretary ; Frank 
Horak, financier; John Pichner, treasurer; 
Joseph Kubat, guide ; John Svir, outside 
guide; Joseph F. Vavrin, inside guide. 
The following is a complete list of the 
present members of the societj^ here: Joseph 
W. Kaplan, Joseph H. Soukup, John Dusek, 
A. L. Simon, Frank Horak, John Pichner, 
Joseph Kubat, Joseph Vavrin, John Svir, 
Anton Pirkl, L. L. Marek. Anton Belina, 
Anton Kasper, Joseph Tamshe, K. C. 
Tanishe, John Slavik, Frank Eipka, V. 
Mares, Joseph Krejci, Felix Svekla, V. 
Pichner, V. Kovar, A. Kovar, F. Simon, 
Fr. Kovar, V. Suchanek, V. Jirousek, 
Al. Kasper, John R. Soukup, V. Martinek, 
Joseph Martinek. The lodge started here 
with but very few members and has had a 
steady growth, now numbering thirty-one 
members in good standing, and its prospects 
for the future are bright. In all there are 
7,378 members of the society of C. S. P. S. 

GOOD TEMPLARS. 

The first organization of this order was 
inaugurated here in 1856. Among the mem- 
bers of this organization were the following : 



226 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



^ 



Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Sheetz, Levi Morehouse 
and sister, Mr. Burr, Geo. Oulton, Mrs. Loren 
Town and others. 

Owatonna Lodge, JSfo. 31, I. O. of G. T.— 
Was organized on the 12th of October, 1805, 
by Eev. Eeuben Gregg, District Deputy of 
the Grand Lodge of the State. There were 
seventeen cliarter members, as follows : H. 
C. Eldred, E. Durham, L. S. Padgham, Frank 
Dickinson, James D. Beers, T. E. Huglies, 
J. H. Donaldson, II. M. Brown, D. D. F. 
Brown, Daniel Thom, J. "W. Smith, Albert 
A. Crandall, Mrs. Mar}' Durham, Mrs. L. A. 
Eldred, Miss L. J. Kellogg, Miss Mary Blair 
and J. E. Busii. The following list of officers 
were chosen for the first quarter : L. S. 
Padgham, W. C. T. ; Miss L. J. Kellogg, 
W. V. T. ; Frank Dickinson, W. S. ; J. H. 
Donaldson, W. F. S. ; Miss Mary Blair, "W. 
F. S. During the first quarter there were 
six initiated and a clearance card granted to 
one, leaving twenty-two members. The 
second quarter increased the number of 
members to fifty-four, and during the third 
quarter ten more were added. At the close 
of the year the number had increased to one 
hundred and eight. Each quarter added to 
the list of members, until at the close of the 
second year there were one hundred and 
thirty members in good standing. This 
kept on increasing, until at the close of the 
third quarter of the third year, April 30, 
18CS, there stood upon the rolls the names 
of two hundred and forty-nine members in 
good standing. 

A number of changes have taken place in 
this society. An organization is still main- 
tained, however. The present officers were 
elected on the evening of August 1, 1887, 
and are as follows : Rev. J. C. Ogle, C. T. ; 
Mrs. A. M. Kelly, V. T. ; J. W. Ptowland, 
R. S. ; Miss Annie Kelly, A. S. ; Pt. G. 
Nelson, F. S. ; Mrs. L. A. Morehouse, 
treasurer ; P. J. Rolfe, marshal ; Mrs. P. J. 
Ptolfe, D. M. ; F. II. Coon, S. ; Miss Susie 
Gates, I. G. ; 0. B. McClintock, P. C. T. 

Musical. — The Owatonna Cornet Band 



was organized in 1875. The members and 
musicians at that time were as follows : W. 
H. Ilolden, leader ; P. McDonald, L. Mosher, 
G. D. Ilolden, J. E. Winship, John Seaman, 
E. T. Winship, W. B. Soper, G. F. Doolittle, 
John Blair and L. C. Berg. Several changes 
have taken place in the band since 1875, but 
the organization has been maintained, and 
the band now ranks among the best in the 
State. At the present writing the organiza- 
tion is made up of the following musicians : 
W. H. Holden, G. D. Holden, Miss Mabel 
Holden, Henry Huber, C. L. Buxton, J. T. 
Holden, E. E. Butsch, J. D. Slonaker, W. B. 
Soper, E. F. Requa, John Huber, L. C. Berg 
and J. E. Winship. 

In 1883, Prof. A. C. Gutterson organized 
an orchestra at Owatonna, which has become 
one of the finest in the state. The present 
members of the organization are as follows : 
Prof. A. C. Gutterson, director ; J. E. Engel, 
Emil Theimer, Ed. Burch, William Pope, 
Daniel Slonaker, George Ilolden, W. H. 
Ilolden, J. E. Winship and John Iluber. 

In 1873 Prof. Gutterson organized the 
Beethoven Association, an organization which 
is still maintained under his directorshiji. 

Business MenHs Association of the State of 
Mlniiesota. — Owatonna being the residence 
of the secretary of this association, it may, in 
a measure, be considered its headquarters ; 
and the association, while of but recent or- 
ganization, has attracted such wide notice, 
comment and commendation, it is well wor- 
thy a brief history in this connection. 

In the spring of 1887, in pursuance of a res- 
olution adopted by the board of trade of Fari- 
bault, a call, or invitation, was extended to the 
various boards of trades and citizens of the 
State, to gend delegates to a convention of 
business men to be held in the city of Fari- 
bault on the 12th and 13th of April, 1887. 

The object of this convention was stated 
as being the consideration of the inter-state 
commerce law, and to take action to secure 
to the people of the whole State all the 
benefits which it was believed would fol- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



227 



low a strict and honest enforcnient of the 
law, as well also to consider any other mat- 
ters affecting the business interests of the 
State. This call was signed by John B. 
Parshall, president, and E. H. Loyhed, sec- 
retary of the Faribault Board of Trade. 

In accordance with this call, about fifty 
delegates met and organized by the election 
of Senator E. M. Pope, of Mankato, as chair- 
man, and E. H. Loyhed, of Faribault, as 
secretary. The delegates composed the most 
influential and prominent business men from 
twenty of the principal points in this portion 
of the State. After a discussion of various 
matters affecting business interests, a perma- 
nent organization of tlie Business Men's As- 
sociation was effected by the election of the 
following named officers : Hon. E. M. Pope, 
of Mankato, president ; W. P. Colburn, of 
Albert Lea, and J. F. JSTorrish, of tfastings, 
vice-presidents ; Hon. J. M. Burlingame, of 
Owatonna, secretary ; P. C. Bailey, of Was- 
eca, treasurer ; W. P. Sargent, of Albert Lea, 
J. R. Parshall, of Faribault, J. H. Mullen, of 
Wabasha, E. O. Hall, of Austin, C. P. Car- 
penter, of Farmington, O. F. .Perkins, of 
Northfield, and C. A. Erickson, of Red Wing, 
executive committee. 

The first annual meeting of the association 
was held in Mankato on the Ytli of June, 
1887, at which time tlie first officers were 
unanimously reelected. It was largely at- 
tended by business men from all parts of the 
State, and the organization has already at- 
tained an influence which is bound to prove 
beneficial to business, and all shipping in- 
terests. It has already called numerous ir- 
regularities and matters requiring investiga- 
tion to the attention of the railway commis- 
sioners, and several important cases are now 
pending under the management of Hon. J. 
M. Burlingame, attorney for the association. 

Insurance Societies. — Owatonna also has 
a number of societies devoted to social, fra- 
ternal and benevolent objects, with a princi- 
pal view to issuing insurance policies upon 
the lives of its members. Among these are 



the Knights of Honor, the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, and Star Council of the 
American Legion of Honor. 

The Star Council of the American Legion 
of Honor was organized with thirty-four 
charter members at Owatonna, April 10, 
1880, and an organization has since been 
maintained. It now has a membership of 
thirt^'-eiglit in good standing. Two losses 
have occurred here by deaths of A. J. Sny- 
der and J. D. H olden. 

EELIGIOUS MATTERS. 

Preshyterian CImrch of Owatonna. — The 
first services of this denomination were held 
at Owatonna m the winter of 1855-6 by Rev. 
Harvey Chapin, who located here in Febru- 
ary, 1856, dividing his laboi's, however, be- 
tween this and several other villages, and 
organizing churches at Dodge City, East 
Prairieville and Ashland. On the 13th of 
September, 1857, he organized the Presby- 
terian Church with the following as the first 
members : Mrs. Judge Donaldson, Mrs. 
Jane Chapin, Mrs. Jane McCaslin, Mrs. 
Elisabeth Ashton and Mr. and Mrs. Robert 
Adair. They were joined by William David- 
son and wife and a few others witliin a year 
afterward. For several years Mr. Chapin 
preached in the old log schoolhouse, until 1863, 
when, principally through his own influence 
and indefatigable labors, a church was com- 
menced, he and AVilliam Davidson hauling 
the logs for timbers, and in 1864 it was com- 
pleted. In this small but neat church Mr. 
Chapin continued to preach until tlie spring 
of 1865, when he removed to Tipton, Mo. 
In that place his ministerial labors were 
brought to a sudden and mournful close. 
His house caught fire, and, in an effort, as 
was supposed, to save important papers, he 
perished in the flames. Mr. Chapin was 
succeeded in Owatonna by Rev. II. W. Nel- 
son. In the fall of 1865 Rev. I. Faries, who 
had come to Minnesota in search of health, 
became a temporary su])p]y, but in May, 1867, 
his faihng health deprived the church of 
ministrations which had been eminently use- 



228 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



ful. On the 22cl of July, 1867, Kev. K. II. 
Cunningham accepted an invitation from the 
church and continued his labors here for one 
year, when'he accepted a call to Eush ford. 
Since that time the following have served as 
pastors of this church in the order named : 
Eeverends W. S. Wilson, J. J. Ward, James 
McCauley, O. Thatcher, William Pelan, 
James McGowan and Kobert A. Ander- 
son. Eev. Anderson is the present pastor. 
He came here from Eedwood Falls, Minn., 
in December, 1885, and has many warm 
friends. He is an effective preacher, 

Servrces were first held in the old log 
schoolhouse, and then for one season, in 
Morford's hall. After this a frame school- 
house, which stood where the first ward 
school building is now located, was used 
until 1864, when the church edifice was com- 
pleted. It was a frame building, which still 
stands just west of the Arnold House. This 
building served as a house of woiship until 
1877, when the present church was built at 
a cost of $3,000. The old building was sold 
to J. G. A. Dennerline, and was used for 
some time by the German Eeform denomin- 
ation. The present Presbyterian Church is 
neatly furnished and cushioned throughout ; 
and the society is in thriving condition, being 
free from debt. The church was organized 
legally, with corporate powers, in 1859, the 
certificate of organization being filed May 
27, 1859. The trustees elected at that time 
were D. S. Harsha, W. F. Drum, Eobert 
Adair, W. F. Pettit and William Davidson. 
The present trustees were elected in May, 
1887, ami are as follows : li. Birkett, presi- 
dent ; C. E. Sheldon, vice-president ; J. M. 
Burlingame, clerk; G. E. Kinyon, treasurer ; 
D. Downie and Dr. J. H. Adair. 

During the first few years after this church 
was organized a Union Sunday-school was 
maintained by all the denominations, alter- 
nating in furnishing the superintendent and 
officers. At an early day, however, a Pres- 
byterian Sunday-school was organized, which 
is still in thriving condition. The present 



officei's are : C. E. Sheldon, superintendent ; 
William Davidson, assistant, and Miss Kate 
Donaldson, secretary and treasurer. 

The Method tst Episcopal Church of Owa- 
tonna was organized in October, 1856, with 
the following persons as members : William 
B. Norman, Sarah J. Norman, Amelia Oli- 
ver, James M. and Emily Soper. On the 
7th of August previous to this Eev. Solo- 
mon Wetzel had been appointed by the 
Methodist Ejiiscopal Conference to take 
charge of the Owatonna circuit, which at 
that time had just been organized. Mr. 
Wetzel was a man of untiring energy and 
perseverance, and finding, as was usually 
the case with the jjioneer churches, that the 
amount to bo received from his charges 
would not be suffiicient for his pro])er sup- 
port, he labored with his hands to su])ply 
the tempoi'al needs of himself and family, 
and with tlie active energies of his brain to 
meet the spii'itual demands of his congrega- 
tion. The meetings were first held in the 
schoolhouse, the Methodists and other de- 
nominations alternating with each other in 
the use of the house. At the next session 
of the conference, Eev. A. Mattison was 
appointed to take charge of the interests of 
the church on this circuit. Services were 
held for a time in the old log schoolhouse, 
and afterward in a ])ortion of A. N. Stough- 
ton's dwelling. StiU later, their place of 
worship was a store building, located on 
Broadway. The church prospered materi- 
ally under the labors of Mr. Mattison, and 
many members were added to it, not only 
to the class at Owatonna, but also to the 
other points under his charge. John Odell 
was the first class-leader of the church in 
Owatonna. In 1859 Eev. John Eogers was 
appointed to the pastorate of the cliurch, 
and tlie meetings were held first in the 
schoolliouse, afterward in Morford's hall. 
In 1860 Eev. Eobert Hoover became pastor, 
and was succeeded in turn by Eev. Mr. Corn- 
well, who remained something less than a 
year, when he was appointed chaplain of 





-^, 




HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



231 



one of the Minnesota regiments and went 
into the service. This left the church with- 
out a pastor during the remainder of the 
conference year. In 1862 Eev. J. H. Eich- 
ardson was appointed pastor, and remained 
two years, when he was succeeded by Rev. 
T. McChiry, who also remained two years. 
After this Owatonna became a station, and 
Rev. E. R. Lathro^J was selected for the pas- 
torate charge. Succeeding Mr. Lathrop, the 
following have served as pastor in the order 
named: Revs. S. F. Sterritt, C. Hover, R. 
"Washburn, J. W. Martin, A. B. Bishop, H. 
G. Bilbie, M. S. Kaufman, J. Whisler, J. H. 
Dewart, G. R. Hair and J. C. Ogle. At 
various times meetings had been held in 
the schoolhouse, Morford's hall, the Baptist 
Church and Dresser's hall. In the summer 
of 1867 a neat chapel 26x56 feet in dimen- 
sions was erected on lots owned by the soci- 
ety, on the corner of Main and Elm streets. 
Its cost was about two thousand dollars. It 
was dedicated September 8, 1867. A par- 
sonage was completed at about the same 
time, since exchanged for another piece of 
property. 

The " Little Brown Church," as many of 
the older members call the old building, was 
used as a place of worship until the present 
handsome church building was completed in 
November, 1878. Rev. M. S. Kaufman was 
pastor at the time the building was erectedj 
and much of the success was due to his untir- 
ing efforts. No less, however, is due to the 
building committee, which was composed of 
Hon. A. C. Hickman, George E. Peck, J. Q. 
Ellis and S. W. Farmer. The corner-stone of 
the building was laid August 30, and it 
was dedicated December 1, 1878, by Chaplain 
C. C. McCabe, D. D. The edifice is 18x100 
feet in size, including a lecture room 25x55, 
handsomel}' furnished, and is among the 
finest church buildings in Minnesota. Its cost 
was about $6,000. 

The first M. E. Sunday-school was organ- 
ized in the spring of 1865 with the following ■ 
officers: A. C. Hickman, superintendent; 



u 



/ ^ 



John Odell, assistant ; C. F. Andrews, secre- 
tary : Orin Greeley, librarian ; William T. 
Pettit, treasurer. The organization has been 
maintained ever since, and the Sunday-school 
is now well attended and in good condition. 
During all the years that have glided by, 
since the organization of the Methodist 
Church, it has constantly gained in member- 
ship, and it is now among the best attended 
churches in the city. The present officers of 
the organization are as follows : Trustees — 
Geo. E. Peck, president ; W. A. Sperry, sec- 
retary; A. C. Hickman, treasurer; J. W. 
Doolittle, Dr. E. E. Bigelow, Dr. J. L. Har- 
rington, O. E. Edson and John Thompson. 
Stewards— C. H. Webb, H. N. Labare, C. H. 
Gordon, C. B. Wilkinson, S. W. Farmer, John 
Cottier, F. M. Bauter, John Nichols, A. W. 
Rankin, W. A. Sperry, Prof. Merrill and S. 
N. Lund. 

Rev. Joseph C. Ogle-, pastor of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church of Owatonna, was 
born July 21, 1830, in Canton, Stark Coun- 
ty, Ohio. His ancestors came from England 
and settled in Maryland and Virginia, where 
many of their descendants stiU reside. Mr. 
Ogle's parents, William and Mary Ogle, 
cam6 to Ohio in 1820 and located in Canton. 
They had three children : the eldest being 
Carrie, the second George, and the third, 
and youngest Joseph C, the subject of this 
sketch. When he was two j'ears of age his 
father died, and his mother died when he 
was seven, the parents being both buried in 
the old cemetery at Canton, Ohio. When 
Joseph C. was ten years of age, he was 
brought by friends to Columbiana County, 
Ohio, and placed in the home of Benjamin 
McKai-ns, where he lived on a farm till he 
was seventeen years of age, working on the 
farm in summer and going to school in the 
winter. At the age of seventeen, with seventy 
cents in his pocket and clothed in a summer 
suit of home-made linen, he started out to 
make his own way in the world. Having 
up to this age received a limited common- 
school education, yet enough to give him a 






Vl\aty 






A.CL/Y 



\ 



232 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTT. 



thirst for gi-eater attainments, liis great 
desire was to secure a good education. After 
leaving Mr. McKarn's he attended the com- 
mon school two winters. He taught his 
first school, a term of five months, in the 
winter of 1849-50, in Columbiana County. 
For this he received $12 per month and 
" boarded round. " After this he attended for 
two years an academy in Wellsville, Ohio, 
taught by Eev. Campbell ; he also attended 
two summers the academy at Poland, 
Mahoning County, Ohio, of which Dr. 
McMasters was principal ; and finally taking 
a classical and scientific course and graduat- 
ing from Jefferson College, then located at 
Cannonsburg, Pa., and an educational insti- 
tution of high rank. Being poor and having 
to depend upon himself, he often found it a 
hard struggle to find means to prosecute his 
studies; hence he was often comjielled to 
alternate between teaching and attending 
school, — often teaching a term of school 
and then attending school a term. During 
two winters he taught and also kept up his 
studies with his class. Mr. Ogle may be said 
to be a self-made man. Many of his prepar- 
atory studies were conquered by him with- 
out a teacher, with many of the great prob- 
lems of life to grapple alone, which accounts 
for much of his independence of thought 
and speech as a public speaker. During the 
years when he was pursuing his education, 
he taught several terms of school in the 
country and towns. He was for two yeai's 
principal of the graded schools in Manches- 
ter, Adams County, Ohio ; and after he left 
college he was two years principal of the 
graded schools in East Liverpool, Ohio. On 
the 25tli of October, 1859, he married Miss 
Annie C. Mast, of East Liverpool, Ohio, who 
was at the time a teacher in the grammar 
department of the graded schools of that 
city, a position which she had successfully 
filled for eight years. By this union they 
have liad five children, all of whom are now 
(1887) living : John B., George A., Charles 
S., Carrie E., and Howard E. In 1860 



Mr. Ogle was licensed to preach in the 
Methodist Church, to which profession he 
has devoted his life. In Ohio he served pas- 
torates in Cambridge. Zanesville, Penns- 
ville, Steubenville and Tiffin. In the fall of 
1875 he with his family removed to Minne- 
sota and settled at Worthington, Nobles 
County, where he at once became pastor of 
the Methodist Church, serving the first year 
as a supply. In the fall of 1876 he became 
a member of the Minnesota Annual Confer- 
ence. He remained in Worthington six 
years being pastor of the church three years. 
During two years while there he was 
l)rinci})al of the Worthington Seminary. 
This school was under tlie care of the 
Methodist Church, and had a successful and 
prosperous career until the building was con- 
sumed by fire in 1878. During the six years 
he spent in Worthington he served five years 
as county superintendent of schools, ])art of 
this time being pastor of tlie cliurch, prin- 
cipal of the seminary, and county superin- 
tendent at the same time. He was first 
appointed by the county commissioners to 
fill a vacancy, and afterward was elected 
twice by the people. During his residence 
there he was also editor and publisher of the 
Worthington Journal for two years. Since 
he came to Minnesota he has served pastor- 
ates in Worthington, Winnebago City, Man- 
kato, and now (1887) is filling a very pleas- 
ant pastorate with the Methodist Cliurch in 
Owatonna, to which charge he was appointed 
in the fall of 1886. Mr. Ogle has achieved 
the reputation of being among the most 
forcible and eloquent pulpit orators of his 
church in the State. He is a thoroughly' 
educated man, of extensive reading, and has 
a fine command of language. A portrait of 
Mr. Ogle will be found in another depart- 
ment of this work, //c d'te^cC tJiU^ 3. /s^/. 

First Baptist Church of Owatonna. — The 
Baptist Church of Owatonna was organized 
June 27, 1857, with the following members, 
who were admitted upon letters from other 
churches to which they had previously be- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



233 



longed : Adolphus Town, Ann Town, Albert 
D. Low, N. O. Low, J. M. Finch, R. J. Tous- 
ley and Wm. H. Woods. Sometime in the 
fall L. B. Town, Daniel Burch and S. W. 
Breese were also admitted by letter. The 
first Baptist meeting held in Owatonna, or 
Steele County, was on a Sabbath about the 
last of April, 1856, at the residence of A. B. 
Cornell, about fifteen persons being present, 
and Rev. A. Town preached the sermon. 
Meetings were held in the little log scliool- 
house. In the autumn of 1857 Elder Knapp, 
one of the noted evangelists of that period, 
came to visit a daughter then residing here, 
and being invited, willingly consented to go 
into the little log schoolhouse, and there 
preached some of his wonderful sermons, 
with such power that many believed and 
were added to the church. In the winter of 
1858 the pastors of the dilTerent churches 
(Elder Town at that time being pastor of the 
Baptist church) decided to unite in union 
meetings, and a large number were con- 
verted. The services were held in the only 
public building in those early times — the 
little log schoolhouse, 1(3x26 feet in size ; but 
many were the earnest hearts that gathered 
there from day to day, and week to week. 
On the 11th of September, 1858, the churches 
of Ashland, Wasioji and Faribault met with 
the Owatonna church, and organized the 
Minnesota Central Baptist Association, 
which reported at that time 120 members. 
In 1859 Elder Town resigned the pastorate, 
and Elder Edgar Cady, of Lake City, was 
chosen to supply the place. He was fol- 
lowed in 1860 by Rev. A. D. Low, who act- 
ed as pastor until February, 1861, when in 
consequence of a difference of opinion among 
the members, a vote was taken in one of the 
church meetings to disband the organization, 
and a portion of the members left and ef- 
fected another church organization. Those 
who remained chose Elder Town as their 
pastor, and regular meetings were held until 
October, 1863. In the meantime in 1858 
preliminary steps had been taken toward 



building a church, and during this church 
difficulty it had been left untouched. Early 
in the "sixties," however, while Elder Town 
was pastor of the " First Church," the build- 
ing was completed, and on the 13th of Oc- 
tober, 1863, was dedicated ; the dedicatory 
sermon being preached by Rev. D. S. Dean 
of Illinois. Mr. Dean accepted a call to tlie 
pastorate of the church, and remained until 
April, 1865, when by mutual agreement the 
two churches united. 

On January 31, 1863, through the diffei'- 
ences of opinion wliich had arisen, the pres- 
ent Baptist Church of Owatonna was organ- 
ized with fifteen members, nearly all who 
had taken their letters from the old organiza- 
tion placing them here, and tliis organization 
was recognized as the "Baptist Church of 
Owatonna" by the council of the Minnesota 
Central Baptist Association, held at Wasioji, 
February 3, 1863. The society met once in 
two weeks for worship, being supplied by 
Rev. J. F. Wilcox. October 12, 1863, this 
church was first represented at the State 
convention, the delegates being G. W. Shaw 
and E. K. Smith. On the 8th of April, 1865, 
the two Baptist churches were consolidated 
with a united membership of sixty-four, and 
they took the name of " The First Baptist 
Church of Owatonna." For a time the 
pulpit was supplied alternately by Revs. 
J. F. Wilcox and D. S. Dean. The former, 
however, continued as regular pastor of the 
church until June, 1866, when his labors 
closed, and he was succeeded by Rev. A. L. 
Cole. After the union of the two bodies, 
the building which had been erected under 
Elder Town's direction had been purchased 
by the church, and used as a place of 
worship. In the autumn of 1866 it was 
sold to the school district for |1,250, the use 
of it for one year being reserved. In the 
fall a new church building was erected, size 
32x58 feet, with tower, in which was hung a 
1,000-pound bell. It was dedicated on the 
22d of December, 1867, Rev. Mr. Parker, 
from Austin, preaching the dedicatory ser- 



234 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



nion. The cost of the building was 8-I-,- 
152.64, which had all been provided for, 
leaving the church free from debt. The fol- 
lowing winter will long be remembered 
as a time of religious revival. There 
were forty-three baptisms, and many 
more united with the church by conversion 
and letter. Rev. Cole resigned in April, 
1S69, and Rev. E. H. Cressey succeeded 
him, remaining thirteen months. On the 1st 
of February, 1871, Eev. H. H. Beach came 
from Winona, and after serving a year and 
a half he also resigned. Eev. E. P. Dye suc- 
ceeded him as pastor and remained until 
June 28, 1874. Among the events recorded 
about this time is found the following inter- 
esting item : " June, 1873. — A deed was pre- 
sented to tiie trustees by Sister Reiggs (now 
deceased), on behalf of the ladies of the 
church, of a lot for a parsonage. On motion 
a vote of thanks was extended to Mother 
Hunkins for her untiring zeal and her effort 
in helping to pay for the lot." In 1878 the 
lot was sold, and the proceeds used toward 
paying for the present parsonage, bought at 
that time. The ladies have cheerfully helped 
to bear the burden. A sewing society estab- 
lished about this time is still faithfully at- 
tended, the proceeds from which have been no 
little help financially. Eev. W. W. Whit- 
comb accepted a call to the pastorate Septem. 
ber 20, 1874, and remained for three years. 
The Minnesota Academy was located here 
during his pastorate, and he was untiring in 
his efforts to attain that end. Eev. C. H. De 
Wolfe succeeded him in February, 1878, and 
after a service of nearly five years was, on 
account of ill health, compelled to resign Oc- 
tober 25, 1882. The church remained with- 
out a pastor until April 26, 1883, when Eev. 
J. H. Thompson accepted a call to the place, 
remaining about fifteen months. After his 
resignation they were again without a pastor 
until the autumn of 1884, when Eev. W. A. 
Spinney accejited a call from this church, 
and is still here doing effective work. He is 
a talented and educated gentleman, thor- 



oughly imbued with the importance of his 
calling and faithful to his work. During the 
summer of 1885 material improvements were 
made on the church properties in the way of 
])apering and painting, and a vestry, 16x26 
feet in size, was added, so that to-day the 
church is spacious, and being well furnislied 
abundantly fills the purpose for which it was 
built. 

The present officers of the Baptist Church 
are as follows : D. C. Adams, J. Holland, 
and S. S. Greene, trustees; L. C. Woodman, 
J. L. Ingraham and J. Holland, deacons ; 
Philo Bliss, treasurer and clerk. 

Rev. W. A. Spinney is a native of Nova 
Scotia, born June 12, 1852. When a child, 
his parents moved to Boston, Mass., where 
they died soon after, leaving their son AV. A. 
to fight the stern realities of life alone. At 
the age of sixteen he became a clerk in a 
wholesale and retail produce store, and, when 
nineteen, became a partner. Soon after, he 
entered AVorcester Acadeni}', and went to 
Colgate Academy of Hamilton, N. Y. After 
eraduatinff there he entered Madison Uni- 
versify. Graduating in 1877, he then entered 
Newton Theological Seminary and graduated 
in 1880. In the fall of 1879 he was called 
to a church in Massachusetts, and preached 
there Sundays while attending studies, until 
he graduated. He was ordained in March, 
1880. Mr. Spinney remained with the 
church referred to until October, 1882, when 
he was called to Duluth, Minn., and remained 
there until 1884, when he came to Owatonna. 
Mr. Spinney was married in June, 1880. 

First Congregational Church. — September 
26th, 1857, a meeting was held at the resi- 
dence of Alvin N. Stoughton, at wliich it was 
voted to organize a Congregational Church, 
to be called the "First Congregational Church 
of Owatonna." The proposed organization 
was effected October 23, 1857. The Fari- 
bault and Clinton churches were invited to 
sit upon the council, and Eev. Ozro A. 
Thomas, of Clinton, and Eev. J. C. Strong, 
of Bradford, Iowa, assisted in the public ser- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



235 



vice of formation and recognition. Rev. O. 
A. Thomas preached the sermon. The fol- 
fowing persons, bringing letters from other 
evangelical churches, became members of the 
new church: Alvin N. Stoughton, LydiaH. 
Hall, George W. Danforth, Emeline Hall, 
Mary J. Stoughton, George W. Hall, Mel- 
bourne C. Burr, Charles A. Strong, Naomi 
L. Stoughton, Enior^' O. Walden, Wait 
Stoughton, Jesse B. Gaylord. 

The movement Avhich resulted in the new 
church organization was emphatically a pio- 
neer movement. The church held its ser- 
vices, at first, at the residence of A. N. 
Stoughton, in a wing of his house built for 
the use of the church ; subsequently it wor- 
sliiped in Morford's hall, and afterward in 
the district schoolhouse until the present ed- 
ifice was erected. 

Rev. Ozro A. Thomas was the first minis- 
ter of the new society. He began his labors 
with the church in the spring of 1858, and 
continued them until the fall of 1863. Dur- 
ing the period of his ministry he resided at 
Clinton, and ministered on alternate Sab- 
batlis to the Clinton and Owatonnachurcbes. 
He preached also both at Somerset and at Mer- 
iden once a month. Notwithstanding this 
division of his labors among these different 
fields, and the fact of his non-residence at 
Owatonna, the church had a good measure 
of prosperity while under the charge of Mr. 
Thomas, and received frequent accessions 
both by letter and by profession. 

The first deacon of the church was Alvin 
N. Stoughton, who was chosen to his office 
February 25, 1858. May 8, 1860, a second 
deacon was added, and the choice fell 
upon Fi'ancis Thom. The first clerk was 
Cliarles A. Strong. The first trustees were 
Alvin N. Stoughton, AVait Stoughton, and 
Richard Miles, chosen May 8, 1858. 

In the spring of 1864 Rev. Charles L. Tap- 
]ian became the mmister, and continued to 
hold that office till the spring of 1866. Dur- 
ing this time Mr. Tappan preached regularly 



at Somerset also, where sevei'al members of 
the church resided. 

In the spring of 1865 a Sabbath-school, 
with Dr. L. H. Kelly as superintendent, was 
organized under the immediate charge of the 
church. There had been, previous to this 
time, a union Sabbath-school of the four re- 
ligious denominations of the place. Baptist, 
Congregationalist, Methodist and Presbyte- 
rian. The new school flourished and became 
the nursery of the cliurch. The church has 
been largely recruited from it, and many of 
its members have been trained to habits of 
Christian activity by work performed in the 
Sabbath-school as teachers. The school has 
a present average attendance of 160, a,nd is 
under the superintendency of Hon. Lewis L. 
Wheelock. 

In August, 1866, Rev. Leverett S. Griggs 
began to labor with the church as its minis- 
ter. His ministry was peculiarly blessed of 
God, and the period was marked both by the 
temporal and spiritual prosperity of the 
church. Two considerable revivals occurred' 
during Mr. Griggs' ministry. 

In the spring of 1867 the society began to 
build a new house of worsliip. During a 
part of the time in which this building was 
in process of erection the Methodist society 
very kindly extended an invitation to this 
church to worship with them, and union ser- 
vices of the two denominations were held in 
the Methodist house of worsiii]). The new 
church edifice was completed in the spring 
of 1869. It was dedicated Sabbath, October 
17, 1869, during the meeting of the Gen- 
eral Congregational Conference of Minnesota. 
The sermon was preaclied by Rev. Charles 
Seccombe, of Northfield. The dedicatory 
prayer was offered b\' Rev. D. B. Coe. Early 
in 1869 Rev. L. S. Griggs was compelled by 
ill health to close his connection witli the so- 
ciety for which he had labored so faithfully 
and so successfully. In September, 1869, 
Mr. Charles C. Cragin was engaged to labor 
with the church as its minister. February 
16, 1870, he was ordained to the gospel 



2:)n 



HISTOKT OF STP^KLE COUNTY. 



ministry and installed as pastor of the 
cliui'ch, which position he still occupies. 

From this society three colonies have al- 
ready gone forth to plant other churches. 
The church at Somerset was organized No- 
vember 18, 186(), with eight members from 
the church at Owatonna. January 1, 1868, 
Waseca called for five members to assist in 
the organization of its new Congregational 
Church. July 13, 1869, Merton made a 
still larger demand, and thirteen were dis- 
missed to form a new church in that place. 
It is rare to see a church less than thirteen 
years old the mother of three churches. 

Kev. Mr. Ci-agin served as pastor until Sep- 
tember, 1869, when Rev. JST. H. Bell was in- 
stalled and I'emained until September, 1873. 
Eev. O. Dickerson commenced his pastorate 
in July, 1874, and served until October, 1876. 
In November, 1876, he was succeeded by Rev. 
D. A. Morehouse, who remained imtil June, 
1881. Rev. J. N. Brown, the present pas- 
tor, succeeded Mr. Morehouse, being installed 
November 1, 1881. The present deacons 
of the church are as follows : Francis Thom, 
Hon. Lewis L. Wheelock, A. N. Stoughton, 
J. W. Burch, and J. E. Truesdell. The 
church now has a resident membership of 200. 

Rev. Justus Newton Brown, pastor of the 
Congregational Church, was born' in Huron 
County, Ohio, in 184-1. In 1862 he enlisted 
in Company D, of the One Hundred and 
First Ohio Regiment, and spent three years 
in the service, after which he returned to his 
native county. In 1867 he graduated from 
01)erlin College, and in 1871 from the Ober- 
lin Theological Seminary. He then for two 
years edited the Lorain County JVews, at 
Oberlin. In 1876 — having in the meantime 
taught school several terms — he graduated 
from the Andover Theological Seminary, 
and since that time has been a minister of 
the gospel ; entering upon his duties as such 
at Wilton, New Hampshire ; thence to Char- 
lotte, Mich., from which place he came to 
Owatonna. Mr Bi-own was married in 1867 
to Miss Ilattie A. Sparhawk, a native of 



Ohio. The names of their children are 
Carleton F., and Wilton G. Mr. Brown is 
an able preacher and is justly popular. 

Episcopai — St. Paul's Parish. — The first 
Episcopal services in Owatonna were held 
early in the summer of 1858, by Rev. J. 
Lloyd Breck, D.D., and the Rev. D. P. San- 
ford. Services were kept up every other 
Sunday by the latter of these clergymen 
until the following spring, when, after a 
short interruption, they were continued by 
Rev. Solon W. Manney, D.D. At that time 
there was no church edifice in the village. 
The first services were held in the office of 
Maj. M. A. Dailey, on Mill street ; subse- 
quently services were held in the wing of A. 
N. Stoughton's residence ; afterward in the 
schoolhouse, and still later in Morford's hall. 
St. Paul's Parish was organized on the I9th 
of August, 1860, when David Potwin and 
John Crozier were chosen wardens ; and N. 
M. Donaldson, S. M. Yearly, John Odell, 
W. A. Ware, W. H. Kelly andM. A. Dailey, 
vestrymen. Services continued to be carried 
on by the Rev. Dr. Manney, and other clergy- 
men of the Bishop Seabury Mission, estab- 
lished at Faribault, as this had, from the 
first, been considered a station of the Fari- 
bault Mission. Dr. Manney was succeeded 
by Rev. George C. Tanner for a short time, 
when the work was placed under the charge 
of the Rev. S. S. Burleson. He resigned in 
the fall of 1864, and Rev. J. A. Babcock, of 
New York, removed here and took charge 
of the parish. In the fall of 1866 the parish 
again became vacant, and services Avere dis- 
continued for the winter, excepting the occa- 
sional visitations of the bishop. In March, 
1867, Rev. George C. Tanner resumed ser- 
vices, and in June removed his family to 
Owatonna. He remained in charge of the 
parish until December 31, 1886. 

During the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Bab- 
cock services were held every other Sunday 
in the Presbyterian house of worship. At 
that time there was but a small number of 
communicants, the church families with 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



237 



communicants being limited to about a half 
dozen. The only church property was the 
lot on Avhich the present church stands. 
Soon after Mr. Tanner removed to Owa- 
tonna the work of erecting a place of worship 
was begun. Three hundred dollars was 
subscribed bj^ the people of Owatonna; 
friends in St. Paul and Minneapolis con- 
tributed $300 more, and with this sum the 
erection of the chapel, now used for a Guild 
room, was begun, and during the summer 
completed by the contributions of friends 
in Owatonna and abroad, and especially by 
the untiring efforts of the ladies of the parish. 
The cost of the building and furnishing was 
about $1,400. The lot had been purchased 
by the Bishop Seabury Mission several years 
before at a cost of $25. The chapel was 
consecrated on Friday, November 15, 1867, 
by the Et. Rev. II. B. Whipple, D. D., Bishop 
of the Diocese of Minnesota, a large number 
of the clergy of the diocese being present. The 
2)ipe-organ at the present time in use was ]mr- 
chased in the year 1869 through the efforts of 
J. G. Gilchrist, M. D., senior warden of the 
parish and organist, to whose interest in the 
music very much of the success of the effort 
to keep up the service was due. In the year 
1883 it was decided to undertake the erection 
of a new church. A subscription paper was 
stai'ted and a building committee appointed 
by the vestry, consisting of Messrs. E. Y. 
Hunnewill, G. W. Chesley and B. F. Welch. 
The subscriptions were mainly secured by 
the rector. 

In the fall the foundation was laid, and 
the following summer completed, and the 
building was used for the first time for divine 
service in October, 18S4. The church whicli 
had been built with so much interest was to 
have been opened on Tuesday, October 7, 
and a large number of clergy had been 
invited to participate in the services ; but the 
sudden news of the murder of the daughter 
of the rector and her family in Nebraska 
postponed the matter indefinitely. 

The entire cost of the building and furnish- 



ing is not far from $5,000. A considerable 
part of the cost was raised by Mr. Tanner 
as the gift of personal friends. The con- 
secration of the church took place in August, 
1885, by the bishop of the diocese, a num- 
ber of the clergy of the diocese being present 
and assisting. Many beautiful memorials 
have been placed in the church, the gift of 
members of the parish and citizens in Owa- 
tonna. The church has also several memorial 
gifts of great beauty from Spencer A. 
Perceval, Esq., of England. Many sub- 
stantial contributions are from persons who 
have been members of the parish who have 
removed to other places. 

During the twenty years of Mr. Tanner's 
rectorship there have been 209 baptisms and 
124 confirmations. The number of com- 
municants in 1867 did not exceed ten. The 
present number is about one hundred. A 
large number of families and members have 
come and gone since the parish was organized. 
One hundred and sixty-nine funerals have 
taken place in connection with the parish, 
and 112 marriages been solemnized. 

Rev. R. E. Metcalf succeeded Mr. Tanner, 
assuming charge early in 1887. The present 
official board of the church is composed of 
G. W. Chesley and B. F. Welch, wardens, 
and J. A. Soper, clerk. A thriving Sunday- 
school is maintained, of which Rev. Mr. 
Metcalf is superintendent ; B. E. Darley, 
assistant ; Miss Nellie Chesley, treasurer ; 
and Miss Carrie Petersen, secretary. 

Ihiiversalist Society. — In November, 1866, 
Rev. S. Wakefield, then pastor of the Univer- 
salist Society in Rochester, visited Owatonna, 
and preached the first Universalist sermon in 
the countv. On the 20th of April, 1867, a 
society Avas organized at a meeting held in 
Dresser's hall. The first members were : S. 
B. Washburn, A, B. Webber, Mrs. F. C. 
Webber, H. J. Lewis, Mrs. D. B. Lewis, L. L. 
Bennett and wife, Kelsey Chase, Mrs. Bell 
Chase, Louis Lord, Sarah Philips, Nathan 
and Mrs. L. O. Hubbard, T. J. and Isaac 
Howe, O. H. Porter, Rev. S. and Ella Wake- 



238 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



field, John M. and Mrs. Hannah Houghton, 
T. J. Clark, Alonzo Brown, Miss D. Squires, 
William Pepper, A. C. Gutterson, C. C. Cor- 
nell, Setli Hotchkiss, T. C. S. Minthorn and 
Gordon Watson. In March, 1868, Eev. S. 
Wakefield became pastor. Succeeding him 
the following named have acted as pastor of 
this society, although at times there has been 
no pastor in charge : Eevs. E. W. Pierce, 
H. B. Butler, Mr. Spafl'ord, L. J. Dinsmore. 
The last named left in 1885, since which time 
the church has been without a pastor, al- 
though the organization has been maintained. 
The present officers are as follows : T. J. 
Howe, D. H. Eoberts and L. Lord, trustees ; 
W. A. Dynes, treasurer and collector ; L. L. 
Bennett, clerk ; A. C. Gutterson, moderator. 

Services were held in the early days of the 
organization in the schoolhouse in what was 
then the third (now second) ward. A few 
years later a church edifice was erected at a 
cost of $2,500. This building is still in use 
although in 1887 it was refitted and rebuilt 
at a cost of from $500 to $700. 

A Sunday-school was organized at about the 
time the society was, and this has since been 
maintained. Prof. A. C. Gutterson was su]). 
erintendent of this for about fourteen years. 
The present officers are as follows : L. L. 
Bennett, superintendent; Mrs. Ida Slade, 
assistant ; E. C. Helwig, secretary and treas- 
urer. The school is well attended. The 
society is in good condition financially, being 
wholly out of debt. 

Roman Catholic — Church of the Sacred 
Heart. — It is claimed that tlie first Catholics 
in Steele County were Thomas and John Ber. 
gan, Michael Barney, Joseph Kiesel, James 
McLaughlin and James Lonergan. Rev. 
Fatlier Keller was the first priest to hold ser_ 
vices in the county witli any degree of reg- 
ularity. At that time lie lived at Faribault, 
and had charge of the mission south of that 
point to the State line. At first services were 
held in private iiouscs, then in Dresser's and 
Butsch's halls until a church edifice was 
erected. In 1867 a church committee was 



organized to take steps for the erection of a 
building. It was composed of M. J. Toher, 
president and treasurer; James Lonergan, 
Joseph Kaplan and Charles Schoen, of Owa- 
tonna, and AVilliam Leary, of Merton. The 
building was ready for occupancy on Christ- 
mas day, 1868. It was 42x75 feet in size, 
and cost, exclusive of lot, $2,600, and is still 
in use. Three or fourj^ears later a parsonage 
was erected upon the same lot, which cost $1,- 
200. Father Keller continued to come here for 
a number of years, when hewas followed by 
Father Schave, who came here from Hastings, 
and became the first resident priest. Succeed- 
ing him came thefollowing named in the order 
mentioned: Eevs. Father Hurley, Father 
Wiesler, Father Pi-ybil, Father Ealeigh, Fa- 
ther Joy, and finally the present priest. Fa- 
ther J. M. Solnce. The present priest also 
has charge of parishes at Claremont and So- 
merset. Tlie Church of the Sacred Heart is 
in excellent financial condition, being entire- 
ly free from debt, with nearly $1,000 in the 
church treasury. The society has a large 
membership, which extends over the major 
portion of the county, and in every way it is 
in a thriving condition. 

Eev. J. M. Solnce, ]mstor of this church, 
was born at Smlednik, Carniola, Austria, 
June 7, 1861. He completed his theological 
studies at the Provincial Seminary of St. 
Francis of Sales, at St. Francis, AVisconsin, 
and took charge of this parish on the 2d of 
September, 1885. Father Solnce is a genial 
and talented gentleman, and is one of the 
most popular priests in this part of the State. 

School of the Sinter.^ of St. Francis of SaUs. 
— In connection with the history of the Ca- 
tholic Church should be mentioned the edu- 
cational institution which is located just 
north of their church edifice. This school 
was established a Owatonna in 1S76, and the 
same year a three-story brick building, with 
a stone basement, was erected at a cost of 
$8,500, upon a lot which was donated to the 
order by the Church of the Sacred Heart. 
The general management of the school is 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



239 



vested in the Order of Sisters, the general 
headquarters of which are at Joliet, 111. ; but 
they have also State headquarters at Ro- 
chester. The building is divided into school- 
rooms, furnished with first-class school ap- 
paratus. The school is maintained by tui- 
tion. The course of study here embraces all 
the ordinary branches, with the addition of 
music, drawing, painting, needlework and 
languages. To these, if desired, religious 
instruction is added. No teachers are placed 
here except those educated by the order and 
in their institutions, and they are especially 
fitted for, and educated in, the branches 
which they teach. 

St. John Congregation — German Evangeli- 
cal Lutheran Church. — About 1870 services 
of this denomination were held in private 
houses, and an organization was effected. 
Kev. Emmil came here occasionallv from 
Meriden and preached. The first regular 
pastor was Rev. Hauser, who came here in 
1876, and remained about one year. Rev. 
Wetzel succeeded him, and during his pas- 
torate in 1878 a neat church edifice was 
erected at a cost of about $2,000. After his 
removal the pulpit was vacant for a time, 
after which Rev. Schaaf, from Aurora, filled 
the pulpit until 1880. . Rev. Carl Mende was 
the next pastor, and remained until 1883, 
when Rev. Schaaf again occupied the pulpit 
for a short time. These pastors all belonged 
to the Synod of Missouri, but at this time 
controversies arose which resulted in this 
congregation withdrawing from that synod 
and becoming connected with the Synod of 
Iowa. Under this state of affairs Rev. F. 
"W. Klein was the first pastor, preaching his 
first sermon here on the 1st of March, 1881r. 
He is the present pastor. This circuit in- 
cludes congregations in Somerset, Lemond 
and Deerfield townships, Ijesides the city. 
There are now 46 families belonging to this 
congregration, besides many supporters who 
could not be termed reguhir members. The 
present trustees are William Kottke, Wra. 
Bubholz, E. Rosine and August Pitzke. 



Every winter the church maintains a day- 
school for six months. 

Rev. F. W. Klein, pastor of this church, 
came to Owatonna in March, 1884, and has 
been in charge of the church since. He is 
a native of Limburge, German}^, born 
August 10, 1856. His parents were Leopold 
and Helena Klein. When ten years of age 
he went to Wiesbaden and attended school 
there seven years, and from there to Erlan- 
gen Universitj', graduating when twenty 
years of age. After that he went into the 
regular Prussian army, and after serving his 
year became assistant pastor at Therlen- 
hofen for three years. When through there 
he came to America and located at Mt. Ver- 
non, Black Hawk County, Iowa, remaining 
there some eighteen montiis, when he came 
to Owatonna, where he now resides. Mr. 
Klein was married June 27, 1883, to Miss 
Louise Anna Fredrick Severin, of Cedar 
Falls, Iowa. 

German Methodist Episcojyal Church. — • 
The German Methodist Church was organ- 
ized in 1875, with the following members, 
including their families : August Mollen- 
hauer, C. F. Mathwig, August Meirke, 
August Soehler, Carl Sette, William Mundt, 
Mr. Kellar, William Mogler, John EUeson, 
Gustaf Buche and W. Wocker. At that 
time this circuit included Deerfield, Bloom- 
ing Grove, Owatonna, Somerset, Meriden 
and Aurora. Rev. H. Schnitker was preacher 
in charge, but Rev. Jacob Kellar served this 
portion of the circuit. Rev. Henry Roth 
was then presiding elder. Succeeding 
Revs. Kellar and Schnitker, Rev. F. W. 
Buchholz took charge of the circuit and 
remained one 3'ear, when he was succeeded 
by Rev. E. A. Borchardt, who remained a 
like period. In the meantime the circuit 
had been divided and the Owatonna branch 
included Owatonna, Somerset, Aurora and 
Meriden. Rev. H. E. Young was the next 
pastor, serving two years — until 1882, when 
he was followed by Rev. F. R. Hogrefe. 
After two years of service, he was sue- 



240 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



ceeded by Eev. H. F. Lange, who also 
remained two years. The present pastor, 
Rev. C. A. Borchardt, succeeded Rev. Lange, 
and is doing effective work. The present 
trustees are C. F. Mathwig, W. M. Soehler, 
H. Mundt, A. Mierke, C. Sette, F. R. Emke 
and R. Petrich. The organization has pros- 
pered, is out of debt, and now has a member- 
ship of over fifty. Part of each year the 
church maintains a day-school — when it 
does not conflict with the public schools. A 
Sunday-school was organized when the 
church started, that is still maintained. 
When the church was first organized servi- 
ces were held in the school-house. In 1877 
a neat church building was erected which 
now serves as a place of worship. 

The Seventh- Day Adventists. — An organiza 
tion of this denomination was effected at 
Owatonna in the fall of 1SS6. The first 
l>astors were Revs. Scram and Gregory, 
and the latter remained during the winter 
following its organization. There is now no 
resident pastor, althougii Rev. Dimmick, of 
Medford, occasionally fills the pulpit for the 
society. A Sunday-school was organized at 
the same time as the church. The society 
here now has about fifty members. They 
own a church building which was purchased 
from the Scandinavian Lutheran Society. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first white child born in what is now 
Owatonna was George K., a son to Mr. and 
Mrs. G. W. Green, which occurred on the 
6th of April, 1855. Dr. W. W. Finch at- 
tended, and went from Judge Green's house 
to that of A. W. Adams in Clinton Falls 
Township, where Frank, a son of A. "W. 
Adams, was born. These two were the first 
children born in Steele County. 

The first death at Owatonna occurred in 
August, or Se])tember, 1855, and was a child 
of Miner Prisby. The remains were buried 
in the woods north of town. 

The first marriage of residents took place 
at Faribault in the summer of 1855, the con- 
tracting parties being JoJin Wilcox and Clara 



Brooks, the ceremony being performed by 
Elder Town. The event was heartily cel- 
ebrated by the pioneers, especiall}' the young 
people. 

The first building erected upon the origi- 
nal town plat was the Winship House, built 
in July, 1855. 

The first building put up within what now 
constitutes the incorporate limits was A. B. 
Cornell's log cabin. 

The first store was opened Ijy S. B. Smith 
and J. W. Park in the spring of 1855. 

The first blacksmith shop was started by 
John Sweat. 

The first frame building was W. F. Pettit's 
residence. 

The first brick building was erected by 
William Wadsworth in 1863. It was built 
for a store, but is now used as an engine- 
house. 

PROMINENT BUSINESS MEN AND RETIRED 
CITIZENS. 

In this connection we present biographical 
sketches of all the most prominent citi- 
zens of Owatonna who have not received 
extended notice heretofore. It will be 
remembered that many of the leading citi- 
zens have already been mentioned at length 
in connection with the bar, medical, official 
and various other departments of this work. 
These sketches are placed here miscellan- 
eously, as the}^ come to the writer's hand, 
and if the reader desires to find any particu- 
lar biography, we would respectfully refer 
to the index. 

The men who take an active part in pub- 
lic affairs and still retain the universal regard 
of their fellow-citizens, without regard to 
party lines or prejudices, are very few. 
Among that fortunate few belongs the name 
of Hon. Charles S. Crandall. His infancy 
and early youth were spent among the rug- 
ged hills of the Buckeye State, where he was 
born in 1840. He came to Steele County 
in 1857 and for three years was engaged in 
farming. In 1861 he was appointed deputy 
auditor and register of deeds. Later on, 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



241 



owing to the resignation of the incumbent, 
he was appointed to fill tlie position and 
was elected two successive terms. In 1874 
he was elected to the Lower House of the 
Legislature, and in 1S86 was elected to the 
Senate. As editor of the Owatonna Jour- 
nal Mr. Crandall spent eight j^ears of his 
life in journalism, and iiis career in news- 
paper work was ever characterized by fear- 
lessness and unswerving devotion to party 
and principle. He was postmaster for eight 
years, and discharged the duties of that office 
faithfully and well. In 1882 he engaged in 
the hardware business, being the senior 
member of the firm of Crandall & Nelson. 
For a number of years he has been an Odd 
Fellow. In 1864 Mr. Crandall was united 
in matrimony with Miss Marietta E. Allen, 
a native of Oneida County, N. Y. Mary. E. 
and Georgia C. are the names of their chil- 
dren. 

Adolph Knobloch, hardware merchant, was 
born in Germany in 1831. He came to 
America in 1847, and resided two years 
in Cleveland, Ohio. At the end of this 
time he came west to Sheboygan, Wis. In 
1853 he returned to Europe and was absent 
six months. In 1854 he returned to America, 
went to New Orleans, thence to St. Louis, and 
later he started a brewery at Hannibal, Mo. 
In 1855 he came to St. Paul, and afterward 
removed to Brownsville, Minn., where 
he established a brewery — the first at that 
place or in the southern part of the State. 
March 22, 1858, this establishment was de- 
stroyed by fire, and he then spent three 
years at Prescott, Wis. In 1861 he came to 
Owatonna and put up the first brewery 
erected in the city. In 1874 he embarked in 
the hardware business, in which he is still en- 
gaged. Mr. Knobloch is a Mason, an Odd 
Fellow, a member of the Legion of Honor, 
and attends the Presbyterian Church. He 
M'as married in March, 1857, to Sophia Myer, 
a native of German}'. Lorens H., Adolph 
and Louisa are their children's names. 

George Parrott, of the firm of Parrott & 



Smith, hardware dealers, was born in 
Schoharie County, N. Y., in 1852. His father 
William Parrott kept hotel at Schoharie Court- 
house for twenty-five years, and the leading- 
hotel there still bears his name. He died in 
1884. A brother of our subject, Hon. Matt. 
Parrott, of Waterloo, Iowa, is State Senator 
from his own district. Our subject learned the 
tinner trade in his native State and came west 
in 1879. He worked for some time for D. 
O. Searle, and at his death the firm of Parrott 
& Smith bought the stock. He was married 
in 1881 to Miss Mary Cole, a native of 
Owatonna. Alfred C. is their only child. 
Mr. Parrott is an Odd Fellow. 

John Thon, of the firm of Thon Bros., hard- 
ware dealers, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., 
in 1859. He learned the potter trade 
when thirteen years old, and worked in dif- 
ferent western cities. He came to Owatonna 
in 1883, and formed a partnership with his 
brother in the hardware business. Jacob P. 
Thon, senior member of the firm, was born 
in New York City in 1857, and came with his 
parents to Milwaukee in 1859. He learned 
the tinner trade at Milwaukee, and came to 
Owatonna in 1879. He was married in 1884 
to Miss Louise Hammel. Alvin R. is their 
only child. The Thon brothers are Odd Fel- 
lows, being members of Goethe Lodge, and 
also are members of the Owatonna Turn- 
verein. 

Jacob A. Oppliger, dealer in general irier- 
chandise, was born in Switzerland in 1834. 
He came to America in 1853, locating in 
Rochester, N. Y., being engaged in the butch- 
ering trade. He came west to Bufl'alo 
County, Wis., thence to Galena, III., thence 
to St Paul, where he remained one year and 
a half, when he returned to Buff'alo County, 
Wis., and remained one winter. In 1858 
he came to Faribault, and opened a meat 
market. He came to Owatonna in the spring 
of 1861, and engaged in buying stock and 
running a meat market. Mr. Oppliger was 
elected alderman several terms, and in 1873 
was elected and served one term as mayor. 



242 



HISTOKY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



He is a Mason, being a member of the Blue 
Lodge Chapter and Commandery of Owaton- 
na. Mr. Oppliger was married in 1859 to 
Mis's Mary Schultz, who died in 1864. In 
1867 Mr. Oppliger married Malvine Bur- 
chert. There are seven children : Hattie and 
William F., by the first wife, and Adolph G. 
Malvine, Edward, Emil and Ella by the sec- 
ond. 

G. F. Albertus, dealer in dry goods, was 
born in Saxony in 1828. He came to 
America in 1812, locating in Sauk County, 
Wis. He was subsequently elected county 
treasurer, which position he held two years. 
He was also elected and served as county 
commissioner and justice of the peace. He 
came to Owatonna in 1866. Mr. Albertus 
was married in 1810 to Miss Mary E. Bart- 
lett, who died in 1862. In 1864 he was mar- 
ried to Miss E. W. Iloefer. Louise A., wife 
of John Kohr, of Montevideo, John 11., Mary 
E., wife of Frank Hollensworth, of St. Paul, 
and Gustavus A., are the children by his 
first wife ; and Minnie L., Kate E., Arthur 11., 
Lucy M., George F. (deceased), Charles, and 
Frank G., are the names of the children by 
his second. Mr. Albertus is among the best 
known citizens of the county. He has large 
property interests, and has in man}^ ways 
been prominently identified with the growth 
and development of the city. 

The dry goods house H. E. Moore Jr. & 
Co. was established in Owatonna by H. R. 
Moore, Jr., in 1870, who came at that time 
to close out the remains of a large stock 
which the firm had had in Beloit, "Wis. 
Previous to their coming here he had been 
to St. Paul, trying to close out with the 
intention of giving u]i business. Mr. Moore, 
however, liking the business jirospects of this 
city, bought their present building and put 
in a stock of goods, rebuilding and otherwise 
improving in 1880. In 1883 the firm estab- 
lished a branch store at Fergus Falls, which 
ran very successfully. It was finally closed 
out, however, and Mr. Moore, wishing to 
retire from active business, formed the pres- 



ent firm, which consists of H. P. Moore, Jr., 
John H. Ilelwig and James W. Connor, 
under the firm name of H. R. Moore Jr. & 
Co., the business being under the control of 
Messrs. Ilelwig and Connor. J. AV. Connor, 
junior member of the firm, came to Owa- 
tonna in the year 1869, and attended school 
until 1877, when he graduated from the high 
school. The same spring went to New 
Orleans, where he remained for some eight 
months. He then returned to Owatonna, 
and entered the store of H. R. Moore Jr. 
as a clerk ; in 1886 he was taken in as 
partner. 

Joseph H. Soukup, of the firm of Soukup 
Bros., dealers in general merchandise, was 
born in Bohemia in 1857. In 1867 the family 
came to America, locating in Chicago. A 
year later they came to Hennepin Count}', 
Minn., and settled upon a farm near Minne- 
tonka. Our subject went to Waverly and 
was there engaged in the hardware business 
for a short time. He came to Owatonna 
in 1884. He was married in the same year 
to Miss Anna Watowa. Mr. Soukup is a 
member of the C. S. P. S., a society of which a 
history' is presented elsewhere in this volume. 

Hon. Henr}' Birkett, ex-mayor of the city 
of Owatonna, is a native of Ottawa, Canada, 
born July 4, 1848. His parents were Miles 
and Elizabath [(Wren) Birkett, natives of 
England, who settled in Canada in 1838. 
Ilis father. Miles, was engaged in the mer- 
cantile business and remained in Canada 
until his death m 1848. His mother died at 
Ottawa in 1886. Miles Birkett and wife had 
a family of six sons and four daughters, six 
of whom are now living, as follows: Will- 
iam, now a resident of Ottawa; Miles, a 
resident of Providence, K. I. ; Mrs. Maiy 
Rogers, of Ottawa, Canada; Thomas, of Ot- 
tawa, Canada ; Mrs. Elizabeth Fenton, of 
Ottawa, Canada, and Henry, the subject of 
this sketch. Henry received a common school 
education, and when fourteen years of age 
attended the grammar school at Ottawa, 
Canada, for one year. He then served an 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



243 



apprenticeship extending over a period of five 
years and two weeks with Young & Radford, 
in learning the watchmaker's and jeweler's 
trade, after which he remained for one year 
as a journeyman. In ISTO he took a trip to 
New York, where he spent the summer, 
woi'king at his ti-ade, and tlien returned to 
Canada, only, however, to remain one month, 
and then started for the west. Stopping for 
a short time in Minneapolis he made his way 
to Chicago, 111., where he worked at his 
trade for C. A. Morse for two months. On 
the 2d of November, 1870, he came to 
Owatonna and began working at his trade 
for E. Abbott & Co., remaining for two 
years. In 1872 he retui'ned to Ottawa, 
Canada, and in company with J. J. Iladford 
opened a jewelry store there, remaining one 
year. Selling out his interests there he re- 
turned to Owatonna in the fall of 1873, pur- 
chased the stock of E. Abbott & Co., and 
has since continued in this line, now con- 
ducting a well stocked jewehy store on the 
corner of Center street and Broadway, 
Owatonna. Mi*. Birkett served as mayor in 
1883-4:, and was alderman from second ward 
for ten years, and president of tiie board in 
1886. He stands high in the Masonic order, 
being a member of Star of the East Lodge, 
No. 33 ; Royal Arch chapter No. 15 ; and 
Cyrene Commandary No. y Knights Temp- 
lar. He has held all the official positions in 
these lodges, with credit to himself and lionor 
to its members. He has also served in the high 
Masonic office of Right Eminent Grand Com- 
mander of the Grand Commandary of Knights 
Templar of Minnesota, — the highest honor 
within the gift of the Knights Templar in the 
State. Mr. Birkett was married January 14, 
1875, to Claudia M. Abbott, daughter of 
Ezra Abbott, and they have three children 
now living : Harry E., Ethel S. and Miles 
W. In politics Mr. Birkett is a Republican. 
He has in many ways been identified with 
Owatonna's growth and development ; has 
taken a prominent part in all public matters 
affecting the city's welfare, and is to-day 



among the most prominent and influential of 
Owatonna's business men. 

C. F. Warner, jeweler, is a native of 
Dane County, Wis., born in 1854. Ilis par- 
ents were Franklin and Juliette Edwards 
Warner, both natives of New York, who had 
settled in Columbia Co., Wis., in an early 
day. They later moved to Dane County, and 
in 1865 came to Steele County, Minn., where 
Mrs. Warner died in 1867. Mr. Warner 
Sr. moved to Dakota in 1880, and still lives 
there. C. F. Warner remained with his 
parents until twenty years of age, when he 
went to Osage, Iowa, where he spent a year 
working at the jeweler's trade, having spent 
two years at it before leaving home. From 
Osage he came to Owatonna, and in 1876 he 
established the jewelry store which he still 
conducts. In 1885 he added a full line of 
sportsmen's goods, including guns, rifles and 
ammunition; and, in 1SS7, addeil the Stand- 
ard sewing machines and fixtures to his 
stock. He now handles a large stock, and 
does an extensive business. Mr. Warner 
was married in 1875 to Miss Mary Cusick, 
of Berlin Township, Steele County. They 
have two living children, Ada and Annie, 
and a third child died when a little over two 
years of age. 

Julius Young was born February 28, 
1845, in Baden, Germany. His father was 
a captain in the regular army. When, in 
1847, the legislative body of that state adopt- 
ed a Democratic form of govei'nment and 
deposed their autocratic Grand Duke, his 
father stood by the people and with Hecker, 
Bleuker, Sigel, Blind, and later, Carl Schurz 
and others, defended the state to the last, 
losing his life in 1849 in the liattles against 
the allied Prussian and monarchial forces. 
In the years of reaction that followed, his 
mother came to London, and there in the 
refugee families of Carl Blind and Prof. 
Hinkel, met Carl Schurz's father, and was 
induced by him to come to America. In 
April, 1859, being reared by his grand- 
mother, Julius went to Stillwater, Minn., 



244 



HISTOKT OF STEELE COUNTY. 



where liis mother had emigrated and re- 
married, and there was ajiprenticed to 
"Wm. lUingsworth, of St. Paul, a noted 
watch and clock maker, finishing his time in 
May, 1862. An enemy to slavery, in any 
form, he wanted to enlist in one of the 
Minnesota regiments, but being only seven- 
teen years old could not get permission of 
his parents, and had to resort to deceit in 
going to Madison, Wis., working there for a 
jeweler at $40 per month. There lie enlisted 
in the Twentieth Regiment Wisconsin Vol- 
unteers, and being condemned to carry a 
drum discarded it and soon became assistant 
hospital steward of the regiment, and later, 
eager to carry a gun, currier to Gen. Her- 
ron, commanding a division in southwest 
Missouri and Arkansas. After being in sev- 
eral skirmishes against Mai'maduke, he was 
in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., Decem- 
ber 7, 1802, where they lost full}^ one-third 
of the command, and where he received a 
severe injur}' the niglit following, by Ijeing 
unhorsed. In January, 1863, he was in the 
capture of Yan Buren, Ark., the next day 
the capture of Fort Smith ; in February, 
when Marmaduke made an unsuccessful 
attempt to capture Springfield, Mo., in their 
raid they intercepted him and almost annihi- 
lated his command. In May, 1863, they 
went to Vicksburg, and being sent to report 
their arrival to the commander of the 
Thirteenth Army Corps to which they were 
attached, Mr. Young got into the battle of 
Champion Hill ; returning to Young's Point, 
crossed the Mississippi Eiver under heavy 
fire of the Yicksburg left wing, and stormed 
the heights of Warrington, and later took 
Fort Hill, just outside the main defense. He 
was in the siege of Yicksburg until the 
capitulation on the 4th of July, 1863. The 
same month was in the capture of Yazoo 
City ; got into a part of the Red River 
expedition ; was captured with the Nineteenth 
and Twenty-sixth Indiana at Morganza, La., 
and confined in the stockade at Tjdei', Tex.; 
escaped the third week, making his way to 



Fort Smitli, Ark., with others, and got to 
his command in time to go with the Gen. 
Banks' Rio Grande expedition ; in November 
of the same year, in crossing the Gulf of 
Mexico he was on the "Thomas Scott," 
encountered a heavy storm, the expedition 
losing two transport steamers and eighteen 
schooners with supplies. The flag ship, 
the "Thomas Scott," an armed transport, lost 
the use of the rudder for nearly eight hours; 
twenty four men, including three sailors, 
were washed overboard, and six guns were 
cut loose to lighten the vessel. Reaching 
Brasos Santiago Island, they surprised the 
pickets by wading through the water at 
low tide, and, effecting a landing on the main 
land, pressed on and took Brownsville, and 
later Corpus Cliristi, Tex. From Browns- 
ville Mr. Young made trips to Monterey and 
Tampico, Mex., to the American consuls. 
Receiving leave of absence for sixty days, 
he got on the ill-fated river steamei-, " W. R. 
Arthur," which at Columbia Bend, below 
Memphis, was so badly riddled by two 
batteries while passing the bend. In August, 
1864, he was on the Mobile Bay expedition, 
being sent to the flagship. He passed Forts 
Morgan and Gaines on the "Hartford," and 
got into the terrific naval fight, after 
passing, with the rebel rams, Morgan and 
Selma, which were captured ; saw the mon- 
itor, "Tecumseh," sink with 122 souls, not 
twent}' _yards distant, and the burning of the 
war sloop, " Tennessee," and heard the quick 
and decisive commands of Commodore Far- 
ragut, lashed to the rigging above him ; in 
the taking of Fort Gaines ; in the landing 
of our troops under fire at Mobile point ; the 
siege of Fort Morgan ; the capture of Pass 
Magula; and in March, 1865, in the siege 
and storming of Spanish Fort and sub 
sequent capture of Mobile, Ala. Mr. Young 
had a narrow escape at the explosion of the 
magazine at Mobile, Ala. He served three 
years and fifty-five days, until July, 1865, 
coming to Madison, Wis. He was employed 
by Mr. Burr, of Burr & McClure, jewelers 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



245 



of Owatonna, and remained with them from 
August, 1865, to June, 1866, when the firm 
dissolved partnership. He took a situation 
at St. Peter, and on learning of the death of 
his former employer, came in December, 
1866, to permanently locate in Owatonna, 
opening a shop in an old frame building on 
the corner now occupied by the Farmers' Nat- 
ional Bank. Later he moved to J. New- 
salt's store under the Opera House. In 1869 
he bought a one-story brick building on 
Bridge street, accumulating a large range of 
custom and fine stock. July 31, 1882, he 
was married to a daughter of C. Dinnijes, 
and has had children, two boys and two 
girls; only the latter are now living, one 
twelve years and one two years old. In 
1878 he lost his building with most of the 
stock and tools by fire, losing more than 
$6,000 over insurance. He rebuilt on a larger 
scale, planned and executed under his own 
supervision the building he now occupies. 
Young's block, on Bridge street. In build, 
ing on a large scale and restocking, buying 
nearl}^ everything new, and particularly 
the selling at auction of a competitor's stock 
during part of the holiday season, 1879? 
forced him to make an assignment in favor 
of his creditors. However, he again got 
control of his business in August, 1880, and 
since then he has not only done the principal 
repair work, but has enlarged his store to 
22x100 feet, adding increased accommoda- 
tions every year, until now he has a finely 
arranged store, second to none in Minnesota. 
He carries a large assortment of watches, 
clocks, jewelry, including diamonds, optical 
goods, silverware, china and fancy goods of 
various descriptions. Besides being the old- 
est watchmaker and jeweler, he is the pio- 
neer sewing-machine dealer, carrying since 
1868 the best machines; and since 1882 
pianos and organs of "leading makers, and 
also small musical goods and material. 

Hon. Benjamin S. Cook, ex-mayor, real 
estate dealer and loan broker, was born 
in Center County, Pa., in 1833. When he 



was still a child his parents moved to 
the western jiart of the State. At the 
age of seventeen he entered a mercantile 
establishment at Conneautville as clerk. In 
1854 he embarked in business for himself 
in the same town. In the winter of 1855 
he organized a party of five, of which he 
was the junior member, for the purpose 
of making a prospecting tour through the 
west. They arrived in Minnesota in June, 
1856, and located the town site of Concord, 
in Dodge County. He is now the only sur- 
vi\nng member of the party. In 1860 he 
went to Mantorville and engaged in the drug 
and grocery business. In the spring of 1873 
he removed to St. Paul, when he was made 
superintendent of the St. Paul Street Rail- 
way Company. He acted in that capacity 
until 1875, and in 1876 he came to Owatonna. 
Mr. Cook was married in October, 1855, to 
Miss Isabella Groger, a native of Hew 'i^ork 
State. Mrs. L. H. Knobloch, now of St. Paul, 
is their onl}' child. Our subject was elected 
mayor of Owatonna in 1881, and held that 
office two terms. He has been a member of 
the democratic state central committee, or 
congressional committee, almost continuous- 
ly since he has been in the State, and was a 
delegate to the National Democratic Conven- 
tion at Chicago in 1881: that nominated Gro- 
ver Cleveland. It is said that Mr. Cook has 
been present at every Territorial or State 
Democratic convention as a delegate (save 
two), since 1857, and while active as a party 
political manager has never sought office for 
himself. Since his residence here he has 
taken an active part in all public matters, 
and is among the most prominent business 
men in this part of tlie State. 

Edward W. Piper, grocer, was born in 
Monroe County, Ohio, in 1825. His father's 
given name was Lewis, and his mother's 
maiden name was Rogers. His people came 
to Elgin, 111., in 1836, coming the entire dis- 
tance by team. Shortly afterward they 
went to Mount Morris, where Mr. Piper Sr. 
was engaged in wagon-making. Lewis Piper 



246 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



died in Ogle Count}', 111., aged eighty-three. 
Our subject came to Ijaraboo,Wis. ,in lSil,and 
was one of the pioneers of that city. In 
ISfifi he came to Owatonna. and for thirteen 
years was engaged in the grain business. In 
1879 he embarked in the grocery business. 
He was married March 8, 1857, to Miss Cor- 
nelia Hill, a native of New York State. Ella, 
now the wife of Clinton Dunning, of Wis- 
consin, Ada I., deceased, Edward A., de- 
ceased, and Arthur W. , who is engaged in 
his father's store, are their children's names. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Pi))er are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Piper was 
a member of the city council in 1885-6, and 
has otherwise taken an active and prominent 
part in local affairs. 

Eri M. Twiford, of the firm of Twiford & 
Sperry, was born near Columbus, in Wa^'ne 
County, Ohio, in 1852. When two and a 
half years old his parents moved to Indiana 
where they remained till the fall of 1861-, 
when Eri M., in company with his father. 
Dr. William II. Twiford, came to Steele 
County, Minn. In 1879 he came to Owaton- 
na and worked for the Diamond Mill Com- 
pany. He then formed a partnership with 
W. A. Dynes in the hardware business, and 
later engaged in the meat and provision 
trade. In 188i he engaged in the grocery 
business, and the firm is now doing a thriv- 
ing trade. In 1881 Mr. Twiford married 
Miss Anna Howard, a native of Minnesota. 
They have two children, Edna and Guy. 
Mr. Twiford is a member of the Sons of Vet- 
erans ; is fii'st lieutenant of company E, 3d 
Regiment, State Militia, and is chief en- 
gineer of the city fire department. An ex- 
tended biography of Mr. Twiford's father, 
Dr. W, H. Twiford, is presented in chapter 
VIII. 

David W. Sperrj', grocer, of the firm of 
Twiford & Sperry, was born in Chautauqua 
County, N. Y., October 31, 1838. Forty-five 
years of his life were spent in that county. 
He learned the tinner's trade at an early 
age, and was for many years engaged in the 



hardware business. He came to Owatonna 
in 1884 and engaged in the manufacture of 
fanning-mills. In 1885 he engaged in the 
grocery business in company with Mr. Twi- 
ford. He was married January 6, 1863, 
to Miss Roxie O. Lazell. Albert L. and 
Rosa Bell are the names of their children. 

William Davidson, grocer, was born in 
Northumberlandshire, England, in 1828. He 
came to America in 1831, locating in Canada 
West, He was married in 1856 to Miss 
Ellen Hunter, a native of Canada. The 
names of the children born to them are 
Robert M., William H., Isabella J. and Mary 
L. Mr. Davidson came to Steele County in 
1856, and to Owatonna in 1858. He is now 
engaged in the retail grocery business. He 
is a prominent member and oificer in the 
Presbyterian Church, and has in many ways 
been intimately connected Avith the history 
of both city and county. 

G. W. Chesley, whose porti'ait will be 
found on another page, is the pioneer photog- 
rapher of Steele County. Mr. Chesley was 
born in Waterbury, Washington County, Vt., 
July 19, 1829, and remained there attending 
school most of the time, until seventeen years 
of age. His father was Enoch Chesley, and 
his mother Desire (Ayers) Chesley, the form- 
er of English, the latter of Scotch, descent. 
The father died when G. W. was seven years 
of age, and the mother in 1862, at Water- 
bury. G. W. Chesley began life for himself 
when seventeen, going to Geneva, N. Y., 
where he entered the gallery of a Frenchman 
to learn the old-time daguerreotype business. 
That was before the time of photography, 
when pictures were mounted on coi)per or 
silver plate. He continued in that business 
for one year, and then, in 1853, canie west, 
accompanied by a younger brother, who had 
learned the business at the same time. They 
located at Watertown, Wis., and fitted up a 
gallery with a chemical and apparatus sales- 
room in connection, remaining there four 
years. In the meantime G. W. had bought 
his brother's interest, and in 1857 he sold 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



249 



the establishment and removed to Monmouth, 
111., where he again opened a gallery. After 
about one year, being afflicted with ague, he 
sold out, and for nearly two yeai's gave up 
business and traveled extensively through dif- 
ferent parts of tlie Northwest to regain his 
health. In the fall of ISflO, he came to Owa- 
tonna and established the lirst gallery in 
either Steele or Waseca counties, since which 
time this has been Ills home. Shortly after the 
war broke out he arranged a photographic 
outfit and accompanied the army through 
the South, taking photogra]3hs of various bat- 
tle-fields, regiments and companies. When 
the war closed, in the spring of 1865, he re- 
turned to his home in Steele County, and lias 
since carried on an extensive business at his 
photograph gallery. In 1879 he erected the 
fine brick block of which he now occupies the 
second story, while J. L. Saxton's dry goods 
house occupies the first fioor. Mr. Chesley 
was married March 22, 1856, to Miss Ellen 
E. George, a native of Vermont. They have 
three children, : George L., Walter A. and 
Elouisa. In 1885 Mr. Chesley erected a 
building and fitted up a photograph gallery 
at Pipestone City, Minn., which his eldest 
son, George L., now conducts. Mr. Chesley's 
gallery at Owatonna now turns out some of 
the finest and most artistic photograph and 
cabinet work that can be obtained anywhere 
in the State. Nearlv all of the engravings in 
the Steele County department of this volume, 
were made from photos taken in his estab- 
lishment. 

Hon. John Shea, ex-mayor and popular 
clothing merchant of Owatonna, is a self- 
made man, and a true type of the western 
pioneer, standing six feet high and weighing 
225 pounds. He is always pleasant, jolly 
and agreeable, and one of the most generally' 
popular men in the county. He takes great 
interest in any enterprise calculated to ad- 
vance the interests of the city, and has in 
manjr ways taken an active part in public 
matters. Mr. Shea was born in Joliet, Will 
County, IlL, in 1839. When six months old 

15 



his parents removed to Hartland, McHenry 
County, 111., then on the frontier, and there 
John was raised with an abundance of hard 
work, but with very poor facilities for school- 
ing. He had the misfortune of losing his 
mother at the age of ten years, but with the 
assistance of his eldest sister, his father was 
able to keep the family' — consisting of three 
boys and three girls — together until they 
were young men and women. In 1856 his 
father sold out, and witli his family removed 
to Berlin Township, Steele County, Minn, 
and located on a farm. After spending two 
winters there, John, being of an adventurous 
disposition, concluded to find a warmer cli- 
mate to winter in, and therefore managed 
to spend his winters in the South, and return 
each summer to help his father. When the 
Indian war broke out he enlisted in the First 
Minnesota Mounted Eangers, and partici- 
pated in all the battles and incidents of the 
expedition, until there were no hostile Indians 
left in the State. He was mustered out with 
the regiment, went home and helped his 
folks until the spring ol 1866, when he was 
taken with the -'gold fever," which was then 



raging throughout the West. 



Rigging up 



an ox-team, with a good supply of provisions, 
he joined Col. Holmes and other parties at 
the foot of the " Kotas," where they organ- 
ized in order to protect themselves from the 
Indians, and Mr .Shea was elected captain, a 
position which he filled competently, as lie 
was experienced in organizing against the 
redskins. The party was ninety-two days 
in reaching Helena, Mont., where they dis- 
banded. Mr. Shea being a " tenderfoot," 
encountered many adversities, but beins' 
possessed of sta^^ing qualities, he finally dis- 
covered a mine, from which he made a 
"stake." After spending eight years in the 
mines of Montano and Idaho, in 1874 he 
returned to the " States" to visit his folks; 
but upon reaching Steele County, the country 
had so developed, and l^ecome so attractive, 
he concluded to remain a few years. 
He bought a half interest in the Parcher 



250 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



1 



House, at Owatonna, and, after running it 
for six months, bought the whole of the 
pi'operty, and rented it for five years. Then, 
being at hberty to trj^ some other business, 
the first thing to present itself was a stock 
of bankrupt clothing brought in from Beloit, 
"Wis,, valued at $15,000, He bought the 
stock and took W. L. Winslow in as a part- 
ner. This firm continued for three years, 
when Mr. Siiea bought his partner's interest, 
and has since continued the business, liaving 
become one of the leading clothing men of 
the State. ]\Ir. Shea was married in 1879 
to Miss Kate Deviny, who added to his hap- 
piness the comforts of a home. They have 
a famih' of two boys and two girls. Mr. 
Shea was elected maj'or in 1874, and served 
one term. When the reader visits Owatonna 
it will be to liis interest to call and make the 
acquaintance of Mr. Shea, as he is awake to 
the wants of the human family, and takes 
great delight in selling them clothing, cheap. 

A. J. Katz, of the clothing firm of Katz 
& Co., was born in Germany in 1866. He 
came to Baltimore ip 1881, where he clerked 
for his uncle in a dry goods establishment 
for a year and a half; thence to Washington, 
D. C, where he remained six months, and 
in 1883 went to Davenport, Iowa. In Jan- 
uary, 1887, he came to Minnesota, and in 
company with H. Katz, of Chicago, pur- 
chased the stock of A. Apple. By square 
dealing, and selling an excellent class of 
goods at the lowest living profits the firm 
have built up a large and increasing tratie. 
They are very reliable men to deal with. 

Michael S. Quiggle, dealer in farm ma- 
chinery, was Ijorn in Trumbull County, Ohio, 
in 183-1-, and in 1843 went to Green Lake 
County, Wis. He learned the blacksmith 
trade with his father. In 1857 he came to 
Minnesota, locating in Waseca County, and 
came to Owatonna in 1858. He was married 
in 1861 to Miss Lucinda J. Hammond. Lillie 
L. and Ettie M. are their children's names. 
Mr. Quiggle does an extensive business in 
his line. 



John E. Buxton, dealer in farm machinery, 
and member of the Minnesota Transfer 
Implement Company, was born in St. Law- 
rence, August 5, 1823. His parents moved 
to Grand Rapids, Mich., when he was 
twelve years old, and there his father died 
in 1843. In 1844 he moved to Columbus, 
Wis., where he was engaged in the manu- 
facture of wagons, carriages and plows. In 
1864 he came Avest to Winona, and three 
months later to Owatonna, where he has 
since been engaged in the machinery and 
liardware trade. He was married in July, 
1848, to Miss Eunice T. Ingrahani, a native 
of New York, who died on March 30, 
1877, of ajioplexy. Mr. Buxton has for 
years been closely identified with the business 
interests of the city, and is to-day among the 
most prominent and widely known citizens 
of the county. 

Rufus H. Cliapin, dealer in farm machinery, 
was born in Solon, Cortland Count}', N. Y., 
in 1826. In 1870 he came to Steele County, 
Minn., where he engaged in farming for four 
years. Mr. Chapin was married in 1849 to 
Miss Abigail S. Putnam, a native of Truxton, 
Cortlanil County, N. Y. They have three 
children: Byron P., Mary L. and Frank H., 
the two latter residing at present in Dakota. 
Mr. Chapin has been a member of tiie Bap- 
tist Church since 1855, and is one of the 
leading business men of the city. 

Jacob Newsalt, city justice, was born in 
Prussia in March, 1838. When ten years 
of age he came to New York Cit\', where he 
remained until seventeen, when he came 
west to La Crosse, Wis. In 1864 he came to 
Owatonna and embarked in the mercantile 
business. In 1878 he sold out and engaged 
in the real-estate business, which he still con- 
tinues in connection with loans and insur- 
ance. Mr. Newsalt is an Odd Fellow ; in 
1881 was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge 
of Minnesota, and in 1887 was elected Grand 
Representative to the Sovereign Grand 
Lodge. He is also a Mason, and is Master 
of Owatonna Lodge, No. 26, Ancient Order 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



251 



of United Workingmen. On June 2i, 1866, 
he was married to Miss Josephine Kubat, a 
native of Austria. George, Annie L., Mabel 
M., Jessie F. and Gracie A., are their chil- 
dren's names. Mr. Newsalt is the present 
city justice, and has made one of the best 
judicial officers the city of Owatonna has 
ever had. 

Hon. Herman H. Eosebrock, dealer in fur- 
niture, carpets and undertaking goods, was 
born in Hanover, Germany, November 10, 
1838. In 18.58 he came to America, locating 
in Brookl^'n, N. Y., where he clerked in a 
grocery store. He then came to Indianap- 
olis, where he was engaged in the grocery 
business for six years. He attended the 
Agricultural College at Ebstorf for some 
time. In 1865 he came to Owatonna, Steele 
County, Minn., and engaged in the butcher- 
ing business for one year, after which, in 
1869, he embarked in the furniture business, 
and now carries on an extensive business at 
his store on Bridge street. Mr. Eosebrock 
was married in 1864 to Miss A. Dinnijes, a 
native of Prussia. Carl is the name of their 
only child. Mr. Eosebrock is a member of 
Blue Lodge Chapter and Commandery in 
the Masons, and was a charter member of the 
Commandery. He has been a member of 
the Lower House of Legislature, serving two 
terms, from 1879 to 1882, and made a cred- 
itable and satisfactory record. 

Frederick Deutschraann, furniture dealer 
on Bridge street, was born in Germany in 
1825. He came to America in 1S54, locat- 
ing in Chicago, where he remained a short 
time. He then moved to Davenport, Iowa, 
then to St. Louis, where he engaged in mak- 
ing show-cases for two years. In 1860 he 
returned to Davenport, where he remained 
till 1879, when he removed to Colorado, 
locating in Denver. In 1880 he came to 
Steele County, where he has since lived. Mr. 
Deutschmann was married in November, 
1878, to Susana Letrig, a native of Germany. 
They have three children : Lilly, Ada and 
George. 



"William Mork, dealer in boots and shoes, 
was born in Denmark in 1844. He came to 
America in 1866, and imtil 1869 resided in 
Chicago. He then came to Owatonna and 
worked as a journeyman until 1871, when he 
embarked in business for himself. In 1880 
he erected the building which he now occu- 
pies and where he is doing a flourishing busi- 
ness. He was marrieil in 1871 to Miss Cor- 
nilia Oleson. The fruits of this union are 
the following named children: Annie, Lily, 
William and Ella. Mr. Mork is a Mason and 
also a member of the Lutheran Church. 

George L. Forsythe, of the firm of Boice & 
Forsythe, was born in St. Lawrence County, 
N. Y., in 1849. He came west to Steele 
County in 1877 and formed a partnership 
with Mr. Boice in the meat-market business. 
He was married on February 22, 1873, to 
Miss Delcina Boice, a native of New York 
State, who died December 6, 1883. Mr. 
Forsythe is a member of the Congregational 
Church. His firm do a thriving business, 
and is rated among the substantial business 
firms of the city. 

John Cottier, merchant tailor, was born 
on the Isle of Man in 1826. He learned 
tailoring in his native home and came to 
America when twenty-two years of age, 
locating in Cattaraugus County, N. Y. In 
July, 1865, he came to Owatonna and opened 
a tailor shop, which for a number of years 
was the only one in the village. He is now 
doing an extensive business. Mr. Cottier is 
one of the leading Odd Fellows of the city 
and a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He was married in September, 1848, 
to Miss Ann Griffin, who was born in New 
York State. Their children's names are 
Elizabeth A., James B., Lilly V., Joseph P., 
Ellen S., Frederick G. and Eugene C. His 
wife died in 1882, and he was again married 
in February, 1884, to Mary Millner, a native 
of New York, born in 1834. They \v'ere 
married in Baraboo, Wis. 

N. W. Hanson was born in Denmark 
May 5, 1855 ; he lived there until twenty 



252 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



years of age, then went to Norway and 
Swetlen and worked at the tailor's trade for 
two }'ears. He returned to Copenhagen and 
there learned the cutter s trade, after which 
he went to Wadsoe, Norway, to take charge 
of a tailoring establishment. Tliere he 
remained a 3^ ear and a half; then returned 
liome, and six months later returned again 
to Wadsoe. Here he was married May 5, 
18S1, he being twenty-six years of age on 
this day. Eight days later he and his wife 
started for America and landed in Philadel- 
piiia June 25, 1881. From there they went 
to Rochester, Minn., where he worked at his 
trade for about three years, then came to 
Owatonna and started tlie tailoring estab- 
lishment whicli he still runs. The}' have 
had born to them three children : Engebor 
Marie, Ivnute Kare and Agnes Begito. 

Fridolin Coll, dealer in millinery goods, 
was born in Germany in 1838. His parents 
came to America with him in 18-18, stopping 
in New York City for a time ; thence to Day- 
ton, Ohio, and later to Indiana. They came 
to Minnesota in 1855, locating at Chatfield 
for a year. In 1856 he removed to Faribault, 
and in the spring of 1861 enlisted in Com- 
pany G First Minnesota Volunteer Infantrj'. 
With his company he participated in the 
battles of Winchester, Yorktown, Bolivar 
Heights, Ciiancellorville, under Hooker ; 
Bristow Station, Fair Oaks, Gettysburg and 
Antietam, the seven days' fight in falling 
back from Richmond, and also Malvern Hill, 
Virginia, and was discharged on the 19th of 
May, 186-):. He was married in September 
of the same year to Miss Margaret J. Deiahl. 
The names of the chiklren born to them are 
Albert T., Emma L. and Fridolin W. Mr. 
Boll is a prominent member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, and takes an active 
interest in all matters of a public nature. 

Frank M. Bauter, druggist, was born in 
Steuben County, N. Y., in 18-ti; but his 
fatlier moved with the family to St. Joseph 
County, Mich., in an early day. Our sub- 
ject enlisted in 1861 in Company E, Eleventh 



Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served 
twenty months in the war of the rebellion. 
During the battle of Stone River he was 
wounded in the right arm, which was sub- 
sequently amputated. In 1871 he graduated 
from the State Nornial School at Ypsilanti, 
Mich., after which he taught school for a 
number of years. He first began the drug 
business at Lawrence, Mich., and in 1880 
came to Owatonna. He was married in 1873 
to Miss Cornelia E. Rowe, a native of Iowa. 
Their children's names are Winnefred, Helen 
and Marion Francis. 

Christian Peterson, druggist, was born in 
Denmark in 1857, and came to America in 
1872. He resided three years in New Jersey, 
when he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, thence 
to Clinton, la. He entered the commercial 
department of the Ann Arbor University, 
also attended medical college one term there; 
then went to Detroit, and from there to 
Rochester, Minn., where he remained two 
years and a half engaged in the drug busi- 
ness. He then was located in Blooming 
Prairie for three years, and in 1884 settled 
in Owatonna, where he is still in business, 
carrying a large stock of drugs. He was 
married in 1883 to Miss Anna M. Johnson. 
Alvin C. and Ella J. are their children's names. 
Mr. Peterson was chosen county coroner in 
January, 1886, and stiU holds the office ; also 
has held the office of justice of the peace in 
the third ward for one year. 

William Gausewitz came to Owatonna 
October 18, 1884, and bought the drug busi- 
ness of Mr. Stoughton, and has since that 
time been engaged in the drug business here. 
Mr. Gausewitz is a native of Reedsville, Wis. 
His parents are Carl and Amelia Gausewitz, 
natives of Germany, who are now living in 
Milwaukee, Wis. William remained with his 
parents until thirteen years of age, when he 
learned the drug business and has since been 
engaged in his profession. 

George Clark, superintendent of Laird, 
Norton & Co.'s lumber yards, was born in 
Bradford County, Penn., in 1848. He was 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



253 



engaged in various pursuits until 1872, when he 
engaged in the lumber business. He went to 
Buffalo, N. Y., and was in the employ of 
Shaw & Co. until 1885, when he came to 
Owatonna. lie was married in 1879 to Miss 
Lucy A. Kiehle, sister to the State superin- 
tendent of public instruction of Minnesota. 
Their children's names are Walter and Mil- 
dred. 

Mclndoe S. Alexander, of the lumber firm of 
Alexander Bros., was born in Portage County, 
Wis., in 1855. His father, John Alexandei', 
resides near Wausau, Wis., and furnishes for 
the Alexander Stewart Lumlier Company. 
Our subject came to Owatonna in 1883, where 
he in company with his brother carries on a 
branch yard for that company. He was 
married in March, 1887, to Miss Carrie A. 
Murray. 

Jacob Z. Barncard, lumber dealer, was 
born in Franklin County, Pa., in 1842. In 
1843 his parents moved with their family to 
Greencastle, Ohio, residing there three years ; 
thence to Decatur, Ind., where they remained 
ten years. Our subject came to Rochester, 
Minn., in June, 1855, where he remained until 
1867. In 18(51 he enlisted in company B, 
Second Minnesota A'olunteer Infantry, and 
after seiwing three j^ears he re-enlisted in the 
First Minnesota, and was made first lieu- 
tenant of Company I. He served six months 
in that regiment. In 1867 he came to Meri- 
den, Steele County, where he was engaged in 
the grain business, and later to Owatonna. 
He was married in 1870 to Miss Hattie E. 
McCall, a native of Wisconsin. Ora Z., 
Winnefred, Lois and Daisy are their children's 
names. Mr. Barncard is a Knight Templar 
and a prominent member of James A. Good- 
win Post, Grand Army of the Republic. 

Lars Peterson, foreman at J. Z. Barn- 
card's lumber yard, was born in Februarj', 
1842. He came to America in 1862, locating 
in Freeborn County, Minn., where he re- 
mained two years, then came to Owatonna, 
and was employed by Crooker & Franklin 
in the lumber business. He afterward 



worked for Graham & Co., then for C. H. 
Randall, and finally entered the employ of 
Mr. Barncard. Mr. Peterson was married 
in 1802 to Miss Sophia Christianson. They 
have four children : Annie, Emma, Walter 
and Adelia. Mr. Peterson is a member of 
the Baptist Church and also of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. 

George W. Caward, wood and coal dealer, 
was born in England in 1842. When he was' 
still a child his parents came to America, 
locating in Ontario County, IST. Y. He was 
in that State until 1867, when he came to 
Whitewater, Wis., where he embarked in the 
grain and stock business. For nine 3' ears he 
was conductor on the Milwaukee & Prairie 
Du Chien Railroad, and subsequently came 
to Cresco, Iowa, and was engaged in the dry 
goods business there for two years, after 
which became to Owatonna in 1875. After 
coming here he ran the omnibus line for 
eight years, and finalh^ sold out to Gage & 
Giddings. Mr. Caward was married in 1866 
to Miss Rosetta Kinney. Neil is the name 
of their only son. 

William A. Dynes, retired merchant, was 
born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1844. 
When only six years old his parents came to 
Delaware County, Ind. In 1863 he enlisted 
in Company B, Seventh Indiana Cavalry, 
and was discharged March 16, 1866, after 
serving nearly three years. He then came 
to Indianapolis, Ind., to attend Brj^ant & 
Stratton's Commerci;il College, from which 
he graduated. In July, 1866, he came to 
Steele County, Minn., locating in Somerset 
Township. He remained there five 3'ears, 
and then engaged in the hardware business 
at Owatonna. In 1876 he was elected a 
member of the Board of Education, which 
office he has since held with the exception of 
one year. In company with Mr. Burdick 
in 1878, he built the Diamond steam mill. Mr. 
Dynes is a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, and also of the James A. 
Goodwin Post, No. 81, Grand Army of the 
Republic. September 10, 1866, Mr. Dynes 



254 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



was married to Miss Abigail E. Twifonl. 
They have live children : Willis M., Ina A., 
Ella B. and Eva M. (twins), and Albert. Mr. 
Dynesisamember of the Universalist Church, 
and is among the prominent citizens of the 
city. 

S. S. Greene, grain dealer, came to Owa- 
tonna in 186(>, and was in the employ of the 
Winona and St. Peter Eailroad Co., as clerk 
at the depot for some seven years. In 1875 
lie went into the grocery business, remaining 
in that for three or four 3'ears, and in 1ST8 
engaged in the grain trade, which he still 
continues. Mr. Greene's name appears fre- 
quently in these pages, particularly in con- 
nection with the histor}' of the city fire 
department, of which he was chief engineer 
for a number of years. 

T. R Medd, D. D. S., was born in Dane 
Conntv, Wis., in 1852. His father was a 
preacher of the Methodist Episco])al denom- 
ination, and has been stationed at various 
places throughout Wisconsin. T. R. Medd 
studied dentistry under a practitioner in 
Sparta, Wis., and in the fall of 1874 
came to Owatonna and followed his pro- 
fession for about one year. He then at- 
tended the Phihadelphic Dental College, and 
graduated, after wiiich he returned to Owa- 
tonna, where he iias since had a lucrative 
practice. Dr. Medd is a member of the 
Masonic Order, and the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. 

Dr. Alexander C. Searl, dentist, was born 
in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., in 1850. 
When he was ten years old his parents 
came to Owatonna, Minn., and a year later 
moved upon a farm northeast of tiie 
city. His father lived upon that place two 
years, and then moved back to the city. In 
1878 he settled in Lemond, and remained 
there until 1882, when he returned to 
Owatonna, where his death occurred. Dr. 
Searl's mother is still living. In the fall 
of 1871 the subject of this sketch went to 
Sinclairville, N. Y , where he spent three 
years in the dental office of Dr. A. A. Stone, 



and in the spring of 1875 he opened a dental 
office in Owatonna in company with Dr. 
Mcintosh, now of Chicago. He later at- 
tended the Pennsylvania Dental College, 
graduatingand receiving his diploma in 1883. 
Dr. Searl was marrietl in May, 1884, to Miss 
Hattie Sewell, a native of Wisconsin. 

John N. Hammel, contractor and builder, 
was born in Wurtembui'g, Germany, in 1823. 
He came to America in 1854, and for a time 
made his home in Washington County, Wis. 
He learned the carpenter's trade in the old 
countrv, and has folloAved it all his life. He 
came to Owatonna in 18fi4, and has erected 
a large number of the linest dwellings and 
business houses in the city ; among these are 
Germania hall, high school building, Web- 
er's block, three cottages connected with 
the State Indigent School, W. H. Kel- 
ly's store building and Oppliger's resi- 
dence, Mork's store, Theinier's store, P. 
Ganser's brewery and residence, and many 
others. Mr. Hammel was married in the 
old country in 1853 to Miss Marj' Steigauf, 
a native of Germany. John, Matilda, Lou- 
isa and Louis are the names of their children, 
lie is a prominent member of Goethe Lodge 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as will 
be seen by reading the history of that lodge. 

George W. Shaw, carpenter, was born in 
Ithaca, N. Y., July 30, 1823. He came west 
to Faribault, Minn., in May, 1856, and in Oc- 
tober of the same 3' ear came to Owatonna. 
lie erected some of the first buildings in the 
village, among them being the old Eureka 
House. He was married in 1849 to Miss 
Catharine J. Knapp, a native of New York. 
Their children are Elmer E. and Dell B. 
Mr. Shaw and wife are members of the Bap- 
tist Church. He is among the most prom- 
inent workers in the Masonic and Odd Fel- 
low orders in the city, and his name is indis- 
solubl}' connected with the histor}' of the lo- 
cal lodges of these societies. 

W. H. Burdick, contractor and builder, 
came to Steele County in 1865, and located 
in the then village of Owatonna, putting in 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



255 



a sash, door and blind factory and planing 
mill. Mr. Burdick ran that business for 
some time, and finally sold out,and has since 
followed contracting and building, chiefly in 
Owatonna, but in ISTO went to Minneajwlis 
and took contracts there. Mr. Burdick is a 
native of Vermont, born June 27, 1834^. His 
parents were William and Cynthia Burdick. 
They moved to New York when William 
was quite young, remaining until 1855,when 
they came to Monroe County, Wis. At the 
age of sixteen William was apprenticed to 
the carpenter trade for three j^ears, after 
which he followed contracting for two years, 
and in 1855 he went to Sparta, Wis., and en- 
gaged in contracting and building. While 
there he married Miss Mary E. Ingels. They 
have four children: Fred. L., Carl J., Ger- 
trude A. and Orvill H. 

J. D. Holden came to Owatonna in 1869 
and opened the first cooper shop in the city. 
He remained in the business until 1885,when 
his health failed, and he turned the business 
over to his son, G. D. Holden. J. D. Hol- 
den was a native of New Hampshire, but 
left there while young, and with his father's 
family went to New York, remaining there 
until twenty-eight years of age, when they 
removed to Appleton, Wis., and engaged in 
the cooper business. He remained there un- 
til the war broke out, when he enlisted in 
Company D, Twenty-first, Wisconsin, and 
served three years, being in twenty-one en- 
gagements, and following Sherman in his 
memorable march to the sea. Mr. Holden nev- 
er received a wound, nor lost a day through 
illness, during his long service. After receiv- 
ing his discharge, he returned to Milwaukee 
and remained there two years ; from thence 
he went to Winona,Minn., remaining one year, 
when he came to Owatonna and remained 
until the time of his death, which occurred 
in November, 1886. Mr. Holden was mar- 
ried, while in New York, to Miss Olive En- 
terton. She died some j^ears later, leaving 
two children, Laura and George. Mr. Hol- 
den was married again in 1865 to Mrs. Mary 



J. Howe, who still lives in Owatonna. 

George D. Holden was born in New York 
in 1857. He remained with his father until 
twenty-one years of age, when he went to 
Richmond, Ind., where he remained one 
year. The two succeeding years he trav- 
eled as a musician. Later he went to Elgin, 
111., and for three years worked in the watch 
factory, and from there came to Owatonna, 
where he has since lived. 

Hosea F. Luce, harness dealer, was born 
in Bridgewater, Windsor County, Vt., in 
1832. When twenty-nine years of age 
he came west to Wisconsin, locating in 
Ripon. In 1866 he removed to Steele 
County, Minn., settling in Owatonna, where 
he opened a harness shop. He is ward jus- 
tice of the first ward, which office he has held 
since 1877. Mr. Luce was married March 
13, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth A. Harding, a 
native of Vermont. Thev have five children: 
Chas. E., Frank F., Harry II., George W. 
and Grace V. Mr. Luce is an Odd Fellow. 

Charles E. Luce, son of Hosea F., was 
born in Woodstock, Vt., in 1856. He 
was married on the 12th of September, 1877, 
to Miss Elizabeth Y. Allen, a native of Wis- 
consin. He is the present recorder of the 
city of Owatonna. 

Charles Bower, harness dealer, was born 
in New York State February 16, 1850. 
He came west to Dane County, Wis., learned 
the harness trade at Cross Plains, and came to 
Minnesota in 1870. For a number of years 
he worked at journe}' woi'k in the differ- 
ent towns of the State. He opened business 
for himself in Owatonna in the spring of 
1875, and is still doing a good business. He 
was married in the spring of 1880 to Caro- 
line Erdmann. Their children are Mary, 
Wilhelmena, Caroline and_Laura. 

Carl Zamboni, gun and ammunition 
dealer, was born in Switzerland in 1811. He 
came to St. Louis, Mo., in 1868 and worked 
at his trade two years in that city. He 
came to Owatonna in 1870, and now carries 
a splendid stock of everything in his line. 



25 fi 



HISTORY OF STKKI.E COUNTT. 



He was married in 1868 to Miss Mary Tome. 
Their children's names are Erail, Willie, 
Sylve and Eddie. 

William H. Hill, glove and fur dealer, 
was born in Lewis County, N. Y., in 184:2. 
He came to Illinois with his father's family 
in ISJrC), and in 18-t8 came to Baraboo, Wis. 
In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Third 
Wisconsin Cavalry. This regiment partici- 
pated in the battles of Shiloh, Balls Bluff, 
Snow Hill, Ci'ooked Creek, Taperville, second 
Bull Ilun, besides many minor engagements. 
Mr. Hill was discharged October 14, 
186,5, and in the following year came to 
Owatonna, where he woi'ked at various pur- 
suits until 1873, when he engaged in his 
present business. He was married in 1865 
to Miss Carrie E. Sahlor, a native of Ger- 
many, who died in 1881. He was again 
married in 1886 to Miss Emma Dike. The 
names of his children are William H. G., 
Birdie L. and Lottie D. 

James W. Gillett, dealer in flour and feed, 
was born in Wayne County, N. Y., in 1850. 
In 1854 the family came west to Dodge 
County, Wis. Our subject came to Owa- 
tonna in 1862, and here received his educa- 
tion. When nineteen years of age he went 
into the dairy business, and followed it eight 
_years, and then embarked in the flour and 
feed business. He was married in 1871 to 
Miss Eliza Ring, a native of Maine. The 
names of the children boi'n to them are Ida, 
Ira, Wallace and Pearl. 

The Crawbuck brothers are natives of 
New York City. Both their father and 
grandfather were born there. Their grand- 
father was a sui'geon in the United States 
army during the War of 1812, and died in 
the South, of yellow fever. Their father 
served in the War of the Rebellion as a pri- 
vate in Company I, One Hundred and 
Seventy-sixth N. Y., of Brooklyn, and was 
killed in the battle of Brashears City. The 
brothers remained in New York until the 
spring of 1874, when they came to Owa- 
tonna and followed painting for two years, 



when they returned to New York City, 
remaining one year. They again came to 
Owatonna, and later went to St. Paul and 
pursued their business of ])ainting there 
for four years ; then returning to Owa- 
tonna, started a paint-shop, which they con- 
ducted for two years. They then removed 
to Oakland, Cal., Avhere they remained two 
years, returning to Owatonna in the fall of 
1886, since which time this has been their 
home. 

Fred. R. Rosskopf, liveryman, was born in 
Washington County, Wis., in 1853. When 
Fred, was twelve years old his parents moved 
to Waupun, AVis., and six years later to New 
Ulm, IMinn. Fred, came to Owatonna in 
1875, and in Ma3% 1887, succeeded George 
Gage in the livery business. His barn is 
opposite the Arnold House, and is a tii-st- 
class establishment in every department. 

R. Deininger came to Owatonna in 1874 
and woi'ked at the blacksmith trade until the 
following year, when he opened a sho)) for 
himself, and has continued in that business 
since that time, doing all kinds of custom 
and repair work. In 1886 Mr. Deininger 
]iut in a stock of plows, and added to his 
blacksmith shoji a wagon department, where 
he carries on the manufacture of all kinds of 
wagons for local trade and also doing repair 
work. Mr. Deininger is a native of Ger- 
many, born November 24, 1849. He re- 
mained in his native country until twenty- 
three years of age, when he came to Amer- 
ica, locating in Wisconsin for two years. 
From there, in 1874, he came to Owatoima. 
Mr. Deininger isamember of the Odd Fellows, 
both of Subordinate Lodge and Encamp- 
ment, having filled all the different offices 
in each lodge, and at present is S. W. of the 
Encampment. He was raai'ried in 1876 to 
]\Iiss IVIary Fritze, of Steele County. They 
have four children : Maggie, Amelia, Katie 
and Robert, all living at home. 

Charles F. Smith, blacksmith, was born 
in Saxony, Germany, in 1846. He caine to 
Milwaukee, Wis., in 1854, and to Owatonna 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



2n7 



in 1868, where he opened a blacksmith shop. 
He was married in 187-± to Miss Annie Engel. 
Mary is the name of their only child. Mr. 
Smith is a member of tlie Masonic order. 

Homer E. Wardwill, blacksmith, was born 
in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1847. When four 
years old he was brought by his parents to 
Sauk County. In 1861 he enlisted in the 
Sixth Wisconsin Artillery, serving eleven 
months with that regiment. He then reen- 
listed in Company K, Twenty-third Wisconsin 
Infantry, and was mustered out July 4, 1865, 
at Mobile, Ala. He was married in 1868 to 
Miss Eliza Wilson. The children born to 
them are Minnie E., Mary E. and an infant 
child. Mr. Wardwill is a member of the 
James A.Goodwin Post, Grand Army of the 
Republic. 

The job printing office of J. E. Winship 
was established in March. 1886, by J. E. 
Winship and others under the firm name of 
J. E. Winship & Co., and was carried on 
under that firm name until the spring of 1887, 
when Mr. Winship l)onght out the other 
partners and is now the sole proprietor. Mr. 
Winship does all kinds of job work, having 
as well a fitted office as is usually found in 
the large cities. The office is equipped with 
an engine of six-horse power to run the ma- 
chinery. J. E. Winship is a native of Owa- 
tonna, born here in July, 1863. His parents 
were Nathaniel and Emily P. Winship. 
When fifteen years of age J. E. Winship en- 
tered the printing establishment of Johnson, 
Smith & Harrison, in Minneapolis, where he 
remained for one \'ear, when his health failed 
and he returned home for a year. Later he 
went to St. Paul and took charge of the 
printing department of Noyes Bros. & Cut- 
ler, wholesale tlruggists, for three years. He 
returned to Owatonna in the fall of 1885, 
and in the spring of 1886 ojiened his present 
business. 

John Chambers came to Steele County in 
1856, in company with his brother Frank. 
They took up government land on sections 
29 and 32 in the town of Havana, each 



taking 160 acres. After securing their land 
they returned to Illinois and remained there 
until 1860, when thej' came back to Steele 
County, arriving here July 4. They brought 
with them from Kane County, 111., two 
hundred and forty head of sheep, forty head 
of cattle, twenty-one head of horses and three 
hogs, driving them all the way and being 
three weeks and four days on the road. In 
1861, they moved ujion their farms, Frank 
Chambers remaining on his until the spring 
of 1883, when he went to Puget Sound, Wash. 
Ter. John Chambers remained on his farm 
until 1876, when he lost his wife and moved 
into the city of Owatonna. He remained in 
the city for two years, \vhen he bought an- 
otherfarm nearthecity, and moved upon that, 
remaining four years, when he sold the farm 
which he lived on and again returned to the 
city. Since that time Mr. Chambers has 
been in the stone quarry and wood business. 
He is a native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., 
born October 3, 1830. His parents were 
Alexander and Sarah Chambers. Mr. Cham- 
bers remained with his parents until twenty- 
four jea.rs of age, when he went to New Or- 
leans and remained there for six months, and, 
then returned to his old home in New York. 
In 1855 he went to Illinois and remained there 
until 1860 (excepting his visits to this State), 
when he moved to this county. Mr. Cham- 
bers was married in 1859 to Miss Orinthia 
Babcock, of Illinois. She died in 1876. They 
had six children born to them : Gertrude, born 
September, 1860, died December 30, 1861 ; 
Andrew, born February 14, 1862, died Au- 
gust 1, 1868; Ella, born September 16, 1864 ; 
Sarah, born December 27, 1865, died August 
1, 1868 ; Alexander, born March 7, 1869, died 
February 7, 1871, and Laura, born April 
7, 1871. Mr. Chambers was married again 
March 14, 1877, to Amanda A. Patten, of 
Steele County. The}^ have one child, an in- 
fant. 

Sylvester McNitt is a native of Jefferson 
County, N. Y., born August 27, 1822. His 
parents were James and Sarah (Lindsay) 



258 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



McNitt. Sylvester remained in his native 
State until twenty-two years of age, when 
he removed to Kane County, 111., remaining 
there about eleven years, when he again 
started west, traveling with team from Kane 
County, 111., to Steele Countj% Minn.; being 
two months on the way, and landing in 
Clinton Falls Township June 24, 1855. He 
claimed government land on section 24, 
where he remained from that time until 
1882, when he moved into the city of Owa- 
tonna, where he now lives. Mr. McNitt in 
company with Abraham Earnhardt cut the 
first road from what is called East Prairie, 
to Owatonna, in the winter of 1857, and 
made the first wagon-track from what was 
then called Elwood to the village of Clinton 
Falls, which is up to this day called the "old 
McNitt road." At this time Mr. McNitt 
kept a few sheep, and had to go to Decorah, 
Iowa, to get their carding done, that being 
the nearest mill. When he first located on 
the farm he built the kind of house so well 
known to all early settlers, of logs, and re- 
mained in that until 1866, when he erected a 
fine brick house, which still stands, it being 
the first and only brick house in the town- 
ship. To give an idea of prices in those days 
we give one of the incidents of Mr. McNitt's 
settlement. From Illinois he brought some 
potatoes to use on the way, thinking to find 
plenty for seed when he got here ; but this 
proved a mistake, so he hunted in his wagon- 
box and found a few snuiU ones that had not 
been used. These he jilanted, and from them 
raised eighteen Imshels of fine potatoes. 
The settlers of Owatonna hearing of his 
crop came and offered as high as $6 per 
bushel for them ; but he knowing the scarcity 
concluded not to sell, even at that price, and 
the would-be purchasers had to return as 
they came, empty-handed. Mr. McNitt was 
married March 30, 1841, to Susan Smith, 
whose parents were Oliver and Eebecca Van 
Patten Smith, of Jefl'erson County, N. Y. 
Their union was blessed with five children, 
three of whom are still living : Emelia J., 



now ]\Irs. N. Castle, of Wolcott. Rice County ; 
Henrietta, now Mrs. J. P. Atwater, of the 
town of Clinton Falls ; and Clara R. , now 
Mrs. Jos. Ring, of the town of Medford. 

L. C. Woodman came to Steele County, 
Minn., in November, 1859, and purchased a 
farm on section 5, in the township of Owa- 
tonna. He remained upon that for some 
six years, when he sold it, and, in company 
with M. Gould, purchased a tract of land 
on section 33, Clinton Falls Township, where 
they ran a lime-kiln for one year. Mr. Wood- 
man then sold his interest to his partner 
and removed to Owatonna. built a home, and 
lived there for one year ; then, purchasing the 
farm and lime-kiln referred to, he conducted 
that lousiness for a year, after which he gave 
his attention to farming, and remained there 
until 1882, when he sold out and again re- 
turned to the city of Owatonna and bought 
a home on Oak street. A year later he 
moved into the western part of the city, 
where he has since been living more of a 
retired life. For a time he was in the wood 
trade, and now, in addition to a light real- 
estate business, he loans money, having 
accumulated a comfortable fortune. Mr. 
Woodman is a native of New Hampshire, 
and was born March 1, 1825. He remained 
at home until twenty-one years of age, when 
he went to Massachusetts, remaining about 
seven months ; then went to Michigan, where 
he spent two years. Returning to New 
Hampshire and spending the winter, he then 
went back to Massachusetts, where he put 
in three seasons. In tlie meantime he had 
purchased a farm in New Hampshire and 
farmed it on his own account for three or 
four years, when he rented his place, and 
was in the employ of the town of Canaan, 
Grafton County, N. H., taking care of the 
poor for four years. The following sum- 
mer he spent in Massachusetts, and then, as 
has been stated, he came to Steele County, 
Minn. Mr. Woodman, during the many 
j'ears he has been a resident of the county, 
has always been active and prominent in 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



259 



public matters, and, in tlie heavy taxes 
which he pays, besides always being willing 
to contribute to worthy enterprises, does 
his full share in the support of public insti- 
tutions and in building up and developing 
the city. Shortly after he came here he was 
chosen supervisior of Owatonna Township, 
and held that office for two terms, and after 
moving to Clinton Falls he was elected 
supervisor a number of times, and held the 
office of assessor for four years, besides 
other local offices of trust, although he is 
not a politician. He takes an active interest 
in the cause of education. Having lived 
here for nearly thirty 3'ears lie has a wide 
acquaintance, and has many warm friends 
among the substantial old settlers of the 
counties. Mr. Woodman is a deacon in, and 
a member of, the Baptist Church, having 
joined that denomination some twent}' years 
ago. We take pleasure in presenting a 
portrait of Mr. Woodman elsewhere in this 
volume. 

Oliver Abernethy came to Steele County 
in 1864 and rented a farm in the town of 
Meriden, remaining there for two years. In 
1865 he "claimed" eighty acres of govern- 
ment land, and in the spring of 1886 moved 
onto it. In 1868 he bought 141 acres adjoin- 
ing his original property, making a farm of 
221 acres. He lived there until 1879, when 
he rented his farm and removed to Meriden 
Station, where he was engaged in the hotel 
business for four years. In 1883 he sold liis 
farm and also the property at Meriden Sta- 
tion, and located in Owatonna. Mr. Aber- 
nethy was justice of the peace for twelve 
successive years while on his farm in Meri- 
den Townsiiip, and the first year in Owaton- 
na he was appointed to the same office to fill 
a vacancy. The next year he was elected, 
but refused to qualify. Since that time Mr. 
Abernethy has been dealing somewhat in 
real estate, but lives a rather retired life. Mr. 
Abernethy was born in Scotland July 19, 
1815, and lived in his native country until 
the age of sixteeen, when he went to Eng- 



land and made that his home until the fall 
of 1840. During this time he led a seafar- 
ing life. He then came to Canada, where he 
was laid up in the hospital for three months 
from severe injuries received. The next two 
years he spent in Montreal, fitting vessels 
for the sea, and in 1842 he came to Cleve- 
land, Ohio, where he lived for seven years. 
In 1849 he came to Milwaukee, and went into 
the mercantile trade, but was soon burned 
out, and, not having any insurance, was un- 
able to start again. He went to work at 
carpentering, remaining in Milwaukee for 
three years ; then was at Janesville for one 
3'ear ; thence to Belleville, where he remained 
until 1864, when he came to Owatonna as 
has been stated. Mr. Abernethy is an old 
settler and one of the substantial citizens of 
the county. 

J. C. Backus, retired business man, is a 
native of the State of New York, and was 
born in 1829. He remained in his native 
State until twenty -two years of age, when he 
came west and located in Columbia County, 
Wis., where he purchased a farm and devot- 
ed his attention to agricultural pursuits 
until 1865, when he came to Steele County, 
Minn., and located in the then village of 
Owatonna. In company with a Mr. Ward he 
opened a lumber yard. About one year 
later Mr. Backus purchased his partner's in- 
terest, and soon afterward formed a partner- 
ship with his brother, Hiram Backus. This 
firm was finally succeeded by Crooker 
Brothers. J. C. Backus then engaged in the 
grain trade, and after cai'i'ving' on a success- 
ful business for eight years, sold his elevator, 
and has since been retired from business. 

Hon. Myron A. Fredenburg, tleceased, was 
a native of Schoharie Count}^ town of Gil- 
boe, N. Y., born in 1826. He remained in 
his native State until 1874, when he came to 
Owatonna, Minn. AVas married in 1858 
to Miss Gertrude Major, of New Jersey. In 
1862 he went into mercantile trade in Jef- 
fersonville, Sullivan County, N. Y., and re- 
mained there in trade until he came to 



260 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Owatonna. After Mr. Fredenburg came to 
this city he opened a grocery store and re- 
mained in that business for five years. In 
1877 was elected mayor of city, and held the 
office for two terms, and afterward was 
elected city justice two terms. He then 
held the office of justice for the second ward 
for five years, or until the time of his death, 
which occurred March 29, 1887. For some 
time previous to his death he had been in the 
msurance business. Mr. Fredenburg was 
an earnest Christian, having joined the 
Presbyterian Church while quite j^oung, 
and was appointed deacon of that church 
while still in New York. After coming 
here he joined the Congregational Church, 
and was deacon of that denomination 
at the time of his death. In his younger 
days Mr. Fredenburg followed teaching, 
making that his business for some six 
years. He was a poor boy when he be- 
gan life for himself, but by economy and 
frugality accumulated a competency, leavmg 
ample means for his family, which consists 
of wife and four children : Carrie, Milton, 
Gertrude and Hiram. Carrie married S. S. 
Hotclikiss, and now lives in Chicago. Mil- 
ton is married and lives in Minneapolis. The 
other two are still at home with their 
motiier. 

John N. Travis, a wealthy retired citizen 
of Owatonna, has led an eventful and active 
life. He was born in New London County, 
Conn., in 1826 ; came to Illinois in 1848 ; 
crossed the plains in 1849 as wagon-master 
of a train. Starting from St. Joseph, Mo., 
sometime in April, they crossed tlie Missouri 
about forty miles above St. Joe in a flatboat; 
were five days in crossing into Nebraska, 
there being at that time no white inhabit- 
ants on the route taken to Fort Kearney, 
about 200 miles distant, and only at the 
forts and Salt Lake City, between the Mis- 
souri River and the Sacramento Valley, 2,300 
miles. They were without water for almost 
two days between tiie Ilumbolt Rivei* and 
Black Eock Hot Springs. Mr. Travis saw an 



Indian shoot an emigrant's ox with arrows at 
Pitt River, and landed in the Sacramento 
Valley in October, having been alx)ut six 
months on the road. He was in the mines 
and valleys something over three years, and 
was once surrounded bj' Indians m the Sierra 
Nevada Mountains. He returned to Con- 
necticut by way of San Diego, Acajiulco, 
Panama and island of Jamaica to New York, 
in 1853 ; was taken with Panama fever after 
returning, Avhich broke him down, and he 
has been an invalid ever since. He returned 
to Chicago, and was in the mill-stone manu- 
facturing business with an uncle and brother 
for a year or more, ami then came to Minne- 
sota in 1855 on a prospecting tour. He re- 
turned to Illinois, and the next spring (1856) 
brought a nursery stock to Owatonna of 
60,000 root grafts, with cuttings and shrub- 
bery. He was in Hastings on this trip, and 
witnessed a "Sioux scalp dance" a few days 
after the Indian battle near Shakopee. Upon 
arriving here Mr. Travis took a claim a few 
miles from Owatonna, where he erected a 
house and did some breaking. His nursery 
was the first in Steele County. Then, as Mr. 
Travis afterward wrote : " Thinking I had 
tlie world by the he^Is in tlie nursery line, I 
thought it time to get married ; " and he 
therefore returned to Illinois in September, 
1857, and was married to Miss Martha A. 
Miller at Ottawa, 111. She was born in 
Huntington County, Pa., in 1827, and 
with her parents had removed to Illinois in 
1848. They have had four children, three 
of them now alive : Annie F., born in Chi- 
cago; Charles Jay, born in Milwaukee, and 
Mattie E., born in Owatonna. They re- 
turned to Owatonna in May, 1857, moved 
onto their land, and commenced farming. 
The AVinebago Indians were quite plenty in 
those days, and Mrs. Travis was very much 
afraid of them, especially as once in the 
night at about 2 o'clock tliey were awakened 
and found three big fellows standing by 
tlieir bed. The nursery proved a failure. 
The second year, in February, a thaw and 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



261 



violent freeze destroyed the whole outfit, 
and in the fall Mr. Travis and family re- 
turned to Illinois, and went into the mill- 
stone business again in Chicago. He saw 
the first four companies of thirty-day Illi- 
nois State troops, armed mostly with shot- 
guns (as the city had not enough rifles), de- 
part for Cairo. That year they removed to 
Milwaukee, and he took charge of the mill- 
stone department of the Reliance works of 
E. P. Allis & Co., and was witii tlie company 
some five or six years. He again lost his 
health, so that the doctors, as he states, " to 
get him ofl: their hands," sent him again to 
Minnesota, where he has since lived — eleven 
years on his farm and nine j'ears in town. 
He has invented twelve different labor-saving- 
machines, but has but few of them patented. 
He crossed the plains again in 1883, and was 
landed in four days at San Francisco from 
the Missoui'i River, making the distance 
in about 176 days' less time than in 1849, 
and returned in about two months by way 
of the Northern Pacific Railroad, Olympia, 
Portland and Spokane Falls, and staged it 
from Missoula to Helena over the Rockies, 
finally coming home by way of St. Paul. 
He has been in nearly all the States and 
Territories, and Canada, Mexico, Central 
America and the West Indies. 

D. C. Adams came to Owatonna in 
November, 1872, and went into the business 
of loan broker and real-estate agent. In 
1879, in addition to that business, he put in 
a stock of furniture, and remained in that 
line for about a year. Witliin the last few 
years he has invested considerable money in 
loans and real estate in Minneapolis, which 
is under the control of an agent. Mr. Adams 
is a native of Vermont, but when quite 
young- went to Massachusetts, and later 
became propietor of a large hotel at Hol- 
yoke in that State. He remained in that 
business a number of years, and when he 
gave that up came to Owatonna, Minn., as 
has been stated. Mr. Adams is one of the 
most prominent and wealthy citizens of the 



city, and has in man}'^ ways been jjrominent 
in the various projects and enterprises 
advanced to build up the city and county. 

J. S. Austin came to Steele County, Minn., 
in 1864, and located in Havana Townshij). 
He bought a farm on section 7 and lived 
there for three years, Avhen he sold out, 
came to Owatonna, and went into the grain 
trade. In 1870 he went to Havana Sta- 
tion, built an elevator, and in addition to his 
gi-ain trade engaged in the general mercan- 
tile business. He remained there until the 
fall of 1885, Avhen he returned to Owatonna, 
since which time he has been living a retired 
life. Mr. Austin is a native of New York, 
born in 1833. His parents were Wm. S. and 
Hannah Austin, — his father a native of 
Vermont and his mother of New York. Mr. 
Austin lived in his native State until seven- 
teen years of age, when, with his father's 
family, he removed to Green Lake County, 
Wis. Remaining there until 1856, he then 
went to Omaha, Neb., where he remained 
two years, when he again returned to Wis- 
consin, living there until 1864. Mr. Austin 
was made a Master Mason in 1856, and has 
always remained in good standing with the 
order. 

P. Brennan came to Owatonna in August, 
1866, at that time having charge of laying 
the track of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul Railroad. Later he moved his family 
to the city, where they have remained. Mr. 
Brennan is a native of Ireland, but came to 
the State of Ohio in an early date, and com- 
menced working for a railroad company in 
1850 at Cleveland, Ohio, as a track-layer. 
He remained there until 1855, when he went 
to Milwaukee and commenced on the Lake 
Shore ; later he came to Owatonna. He has 
been an extensive railway contractor, and 
been identified with many of the leading 
roads in the West. 

Andrew Bryson came to Steele County in 
1877, and bought a farm within tlie city limits 
of Owatonna, where he has since lived. Mr. 
Bryson is a native of Scotland, born in 1852. 



262 



HISTORY OF STEELE CODNTY. 



His parents were William and Eliza Brvson, 
who still live in Scotland. Andrew Bryson 
left home when fourteen years of age and 
came to New York, where lie learned the 
harness-maker's trade. Later he opened a 
shop for himself, but had to give up his 
trade on account of failing eye-sight. He 
then came west to get a farm and located in 
Owatonna. He now has a farm of 130 acres, 
seventy acres of which are in the city limits. 
Mr. Bryson was married in 1876 to Miss 
Ida J. Parment, of New York. 

Rev. Reuben Washburn was born in Essex 
County, N. Y., in 182-1. He entered the 
ministry in 1816 and labored in the Troy 
Conference until 1868, when he came west 
to Dundas, Minn., where he took the pastor- 
ate of that church. Since that time he has 
been stationed at Owatonna, Spring Valley, 
Eyota, Castle Rock, Zumbrota and Grand 
Meadow. He now resides in Owatonna, and 
has retired from the ministry after a long 
life of usefulness. He was married in 1849 
to Miss Harriet A. Wright, who died in 
March, 1870. He was married in July fol- 
lowing to Annie Bi'undige. Their chil- 
dren's names are Emma J., Wilbur W., Chas. 
D. and John W. 

Maj. J. W. Burch was born in Otsego 
County, N. Y., in 1833. When he was five 
years old his parents came to Steuben 
County, Ind., where he was brought u]) on a 
farm. He came to Owatonna in 1855 and 
engaged in farming. In 1860 he returned 
to Indiana and enlisted in Company A, For- 
t3'-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantr3^ This 
regiment took part in the battles of Donald- 
son, Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, 
Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Nashville, 
besides numerous skirmishes. Our subject 
was promoted to second lieutenant ; at Stone 
River, on June 12, 1863, was made cap- 
tain of Comi)any A, and in 1861 was made 
major of the regiment. He was mustered 
out September 25, 1865. He was married 
m 1886 to Miss Matilda Freygang. He is 
adjutant of James A. Goodwin Post, Grand 



Arm}' of the Republic, at the present time. 

William II. Montgomery, furniture dealer, 
was born St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 
1834. When eighteen years of age he came 
west to Wisconsin, and came to Minnesota 
in 1853, locating near Hastings. When he 
arrived there, there were 500 Sioux Indians 
encam])ed on the river bottom. He was the 
fourteenth person (west of the river) in Min- 
nesota to preempt land, and was a jui'or at 
the first court held in Dakota County. He 
came to Steele County in 1865, and carried on 
a farm in Meriden Township until the fall of 
1871, -when he came to Owatonna; was 
engaged in the butcher business until 1880, 
when he embarked in the hardware business 
in company with W. A. Dynes. The firm 
closed out tlieir business in 1887. Mr. Mont- 
gomery was married in 1860 to Miss Diana 
Boice, a native of New York State. Nora 
I. is tiie name of their only child. Mr. Mont- 
gomery is now carrying on the furniture 
business, being located under the Opera 
House. 

Philo Bliss was born in 1830 in Groton, 
Tompkins County, N. Y., where he spent the 
early part of his life. He attended the acad- 
emy in Cortland County, N. Y., and was 
engaged in farming and milling until he was 
twenty-one years old. In 1858 he came to 
Steele County, Minn., locating in Owatonna, 
and was engaged in farming until 1871. In 
1877 lie engaged in the book and stationery 
business, and continued until the summer of 
1887. Mr. ]]iiss was married April 7, 1858, 
to Miss Charlotte E. Franklin, a native of 
New York State. 

Peter Mallinger, retired hotel-keeper, was 
born in Luxemburg, Holland, in 1836. He 
came to America in 1855, locating in Mil- 
waukee. In 1861 he enlisted in Company 
F, Ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and 
for- four and a half years was engaged in 
the frontier warfare which raged on the 
borders of the Indian Territory, Arkansas, 
Kansas, and Missouri. In 1864 he reen- 
listed in Company K, Forty-eighth Wiscon- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



263 



sin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the 
close of the war as second lieutenant of his 
company. He was married in 1867 to Cacilio 
Buchstor. Their children's names are Annie, 
Minnie, Adolph, Gustaf, Charles and Mary. 
He is a member of James A. Goodwin Post, 
Grand Army of the Republic. 

Adolphus Town was born in Washington 
County, Vt., in 1805. There he lived with 
his parents until the age of twenty-eight 
years. When twenty-six j^ears old he mar- 
ried Miss Rebecca Simmons. They were 
blessed with eleven children, six boys and 
five girls, all of whom are living but three, 
and one is now a resident of Owatonna. Im- 
mediately after leaving home he went to 
Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained some 
time, then moved to Sandusky, O. After 
this he went to Mei'rian, Merrian County, 
Ind., and there bought a farm ; then sent to 
Sandusky for his wife and two children. 
While there the first winter he taught a sub- 
scription school. In 1835 he was ordained 
as Baj)tist minister, and followed this calling 
until a few years ago, when he met Avith an 
accident, being struck on the head with a 
stoae, injuring his brain. Mr. Town is one 
of Steele County's first settlers, having come 
here in August, 1855, and his name figures 
quite prominently in the early history of tlie 
city. 

H. C. Yarchow, traveling salesman for 
Buxton & Jones, came to Owatonna in May, 
1881, and since that time has been traveling 
for the above-named farm implement and 
machinery firm through Minnesota and Da- 
kota. Mr. Yarchow is a native of Prussian 
Germany, born in 1847. He came to this 
country in 1851 with his parents, who settled 
in Cook Countj^, 111., and remained there 
three years, when they went to Monroe 
County, Wis., where they now reside. H. C. 
Yarchow remained with his parents until 
the fall of 1875, and since that time has been 
in the machine business, making Winona, 
Minn., headquarters for several years before 
he came to Owatonna. 



George Mitchell came to Steele County in 
1857 and took up government land on section 
4, town of Summit, where he remained until 
1860, when he moved into the village of 
Owatonna. He remained here until the spring 
of 1865, when he enlisted in the second 
organization of the First Minnesota,Company 
F, and served until the close of the war. He 
then returned to Owatonna, and the follow- 
ing spring went into the lumber trade, and 
has remained in that business most of the 
time since. Mr. Mitchell now has a farm of 
sixty -six acres (all of which is in the city lim- 
its), which he cultivates in connection with his 
other business. Mr. Mitchell is a native of 
Scotland, born November 30, 1833. His 
parents were Alexander and Annie Murdock 
Mitchell. He remained in Scotland until 
twenty years of age, when he came to Can- 
ada, remaining there three years ; then start- 
ed for the West, arriving at Owatonna in 
April, 1857. He was married in 1860 to Miss 
Bolinda Watson. They have two children : 
George Alexander and Charles. Geo. A. is 
now married, and Charles is home with his 
parents. 

Henry P. G. Sander was born in Hano- 
vei', Germany, in 1843. He came to Amer- 
ica in 1873 and located in Madison, Wis., 
where he workeil at his trade as a baker one 
year. In 1874 he started in business for 
himself at Columbus, Wis. He came to 
Minnesota a few years later, locating in 
Owatonna, where he carried on an extensive 
business in his line — baker and confectioner. 
He was married in 1877 to Miss Elizabeth 
Riekman. The names of their children in 
the order of their ages are Hieno, Dora, Ru- 
dolph and Hedwig. 

LIQUOE DEALERS. 

The first saloon in Owatonna was started 
in 1856 by a couple of brothers named Sher- 
wood. 

We here present biographical sketches of 
all the most prominent liquor dealers of the 
city, at this writing : 



ao4 



ItlSTl^KY OK SIKKI.K IXHIN'n". 



Emil Thoimor. liquor doalor. was born in 
Austria in IS.'>'_>. llo oauio to AVatorvillo. 
Lo Suour County. .Minn., in lS(>;{,\vith liis j>ar- 
onts, and tluMV sj>ont liis yontliful days on a 
l'ani\, attondinji' soiiool at St. IVtor iluring 
tlio wintor niontlis. Wlion sovontoon yoai's 
of aijo iio wont to Faril>ault ami ontorod a 
bixnvorv t"ortiu> |)nri>oso i>t loarnini; tlio ti-ade. 
lie thon went to Elysian and built a bivwery, 
wliioli was destroyinl by tiiv two yeai-s later 
Mr. riioinier then went to Faribault, and 
later to St. Paul, wlien> he aetetl as foivnian 
in Urui^Muan's bivwery until he eaiue to 
Owatonna. lie has just eon»|>letiHl a tine 
briek building on Cedar stivet. :*2x70 feet in 
size and two stories high, lie was niarriinl 
in 1S7.'> to Miss Anna Misgen, of Faribault. 
Their ehildivn's names aiv Imelda, Kuiil, 
(ieorgi\ .\llu\a, Carl ami Ilugi>. Mr. Thei- 
mer is a pi\>nuuent member of GiH^the 
lAHlgt\ hulepeuilent (.Mxler of OM Fellows, 
of the Ctnuul L<Hlgi\ and also of Eneuin^v 
nuM\t No. 4. 

.laeob Glaeser. liquor tlealer. is a native of 
Wiseonsin, Ihm'h theiv February 7. IS54. 
liis jviivnts weiv Jaoob and Klizabeth i^Sie- 
beu^ Clae.ser, both natives of Gennany, 
Jaeob ,Ir. start tnl for himself when sinen- 
ttvn yenj-s of agi\and olerktHl in a giwery. 
stoiv in Sun Prairie, ^Yis.. for four ami a 
lialf yeai-s. He then eaiue to .MlnM-t Lea. 
Minn., in NovenilHM". 1S74; and ivmaine<l 
theix" until he eame to C>watonna, in IS75. 
when he engjigtnl in his pivsent business, K^ 
ing in (.HMnjvmy with M. Miekelsen for one 
yeju*. Mr. (.ilaeser then sold his inten»st in 
that establishment to .Kvseph llotTman. ami 
forminl a iKutnei-ship with IVter Gansor. 
They eiwttnl the (.termania hall, a briek 
bUvk. anil put in the thuvt etiuipjHHl and 
furnislunl billianl hall in this pju't of the 
State. They we>v in )\\rtnership for a little 
over ton y«ir« when. July I. ISS7. Mr. 
Glaeser puix^liasetl Mr. Ganser's inten^st and 
is now sole pi\^prietor. 

M. Kyan. lujuor dwUer. eame to Sttvle 
(.\>untv. Minn., in ISS4, and KxnUe*l in Owa- 



tonna in 1SS6. o]H?ning a liquor store and 
billiard hall, and has eontinued in that busi- 
ness since. Mr. Kyan is a native of Indiana, 
and was born in 18r>8. His parents weiv 
.lames and Julia Ryan. He ivniained with 
them until twenty-six yea i"s of age, working 
on the farm, and then eauie to Steele County. 
Minn. Mr. Kyan was marrieil in 1SS2, while 
in Indiana, to Miss Hannah Jetfei-son. a na- 
tive of that State. They have two ehildren, 
Frank and Mabel. 

IVter Tetei-son. liquor dealer, was born in 
Denniark in IS4S>. He eame to Ameriea in 
1870, locating at Faribault. Minn. Fixim 
theiv he moved to Minneapolis, wheiv he iv- 
maintnl the yeai-s. In 1S7!> he ivnuneil to 
New Kiehland. Wa.>;ei"a County, and eame to 
Owatonna in May, 1SS7. 

Anton Helina. liquor dealer, is a native of 
Bohemia, wheiv he was born in 1S49. He 
eame to this country in 1S(>'2 with his p;ir- 
ents. who weiv "NVenzel and Jennie Belina. 
The family then includeil live ehildivn.: 
Frank, .\nton, ^Venzel. John (^who die*l 
December lo, lS8t>). and Joseph, all of 
whom, except John, still live in Stet^le 
County. The father pnivhastHl a farm in 
thetownsliip of Owatonna. and like many 
other early settlei"s found it a haul struggle 
to pivvide for his family and {>;iy for the 
farm ; but, by industry ami frugtility, he 
snectHHled in paying for his home, btvoniing 
one of the thrifty ami sul>stantial citizens of 
the township. He ivinaintnl on the farm 
until the time of his death in 1884. and his 
wife still survives him. All of the Iwys 
weiv musicians. Anton ivginning music 
when only nine years of age. Charles M.. 
one of the bivthers, is now studying meili- 
eine with Pr. M<.x>ivhouse. He l>egan in 
tlie spring of lS$i». and the following winter 
attend^ a course of Uvtuivs at Dos Moines. 
He intends completing a thonnigh course, 
and has gixnl pri>sjiects for the future. 
Anton, the subjtvt of this sketch, ivmainevl 
with his jKiivnts until sixteiMi yeai*s of agi>. 
when he learnetl the wsuron-maker s trade. 




(f^^'^^yt.fM^ 



HISTOET OF STEELE COUNTY. 



267 



following that until 18S3, when he opened 
his present establishment. 

Joseph Kubat, liquor dealer, came to 
Owatonna in 187-i and opened a butcher 
shop. He carried on that business for 
eighteen months. Later he opened a liquor 
store and billiard room, and has since con- 
tinued in that business. Mr. Kubat was 
born in Bohemia in 1848. llis parents were 
Anton and Annie Kubat, who came to this 
country in 1852, and settled in Illinois. 
There they remained until *1851:, when 
they came to Steele County, taking govern- 
ment land in section 2-4, Owatonna Town- 
ship, being among the eai'liest settlers in the 
county. There were at that time but one or 
two log houses where now stands Owatonna 
City. They still live on their farm. Joseph 
lived with his parents until twenty-four 



* [This is probably meant for " 1856 ' 
Editor.] 



instead of " 1854.' 



years of age, when he started in life for 
himself and worked on a farm until 1874. He 
was married October 30, 1872, to Miss Annie 
Slezak, of Owatonna. They have six child- 
ren : "William A., born November 21, 1873 ; 
Milo A., born July 29, 1875 ; Otto A., born 
October 3, 1876 ; Emel S., born March 
16, 1879 ; Joseph A., born April 5, 1881 ; 
and Libuse A., born June 10, 1883. 

Theodore Fedder, liquor dealer, was born 
in Prussia in 1847. He came to America in 
1868, locating in Kichfield, Wis., where he 
remained four years, after which he came to 
Owatonna. Here he was for seven years in 
the employ of Louis Bion, in the brewery, 
and in 1878 he started in business for him- 
self. In 1867 he was married to Miss Eva 
Bartz, and their children's names are 
Matilda, All^ert, Theodore, Theresa, Katie, 
Dora and Louis. Mr. Fedder is a member 
of Goethe Lodge Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. 




CHAPTER XVIII. 



PILLSBURY ACADEMY — STATE SCHOOL FOE DEPENDENT AND 

NEGLECTED CHILDPtEN. 




[T the Baptist State convention held 
at Rocliester, in October, 1874, 
the committee on education, con- 
sisting of Rev. G. Cole, of Red- 
wing, Rev. J. W. Reese, of Man- 
kato, and Rev. J. Rowley, of Win- 
ona, reported in favor of early 
efforts for the establishment of 
an institution of learning, the ajj- 
pointment of a committee " to 
receive proposals for the location of a Baptist 
academy, and do such other work as in their 
judgment they ma^" deem necessary to advance 
the cause of higher education." Dr. Geo. IL 
Keith, of Minneapolis, Rev. S. Adams, of 
Hastings, and Rev. G. Cole, of Red Wing, 
were appointed the committee. 

At the State Convention held in St. Paul, 
in October, 1875, this committee reported 
proposals for location from Brainerd, Red 
Wing and O watonna, and among other things 
said : " We are of the opinion that the one 
from Owatonna, in view of all considerations, 
is the one it would be for the best interests 
of the denomination to accept." The report 
was referred to a special committee of live, 
as follows : Rev. E. AYestcott, Rev. J. Rock- 
wood, C. S. Bryant, Esq., E. N. Brown, Esq., 
and W. C. Durkee, Esq. That the character 
of the report may be better known, the fol- 
lowing extract from the minutes of the State 
Convention is here given : 

" The first of the recommendations is that 
a committee of seven — one from each asso- 
ciation — be appointed, with power to ex- 
amine the proposals received, and to decide 
the question ; having power also to extend 
the time for receiving such proposals, but not 



beyond January 1, 1876. This was adopted. 
The second recommendation, that the denom- 
ination in Minnesota endeavor to raise the 
sum of $5U,000 as an endowment of the pro- 
posed academy, was also adopted. The thii-d 
recommendation is that there be a finance 
Committee of seven — one from each associa- 
tion — who shall have charge of the whole 
work of endowment. This also was adopted. 
The fourth recommendation, proposing a 
committee of three, to have in charge the in- 
corporation of the proposed academy, was 
adopted. The fifth point is to the effect that 
the donor of $20,000 shall have the privilege 
of giving a name to the academv. This 
recommendation was likewise adopted. The 
report was then unanimously adopted as a 
whole." 

The following committees were then ap- 
pointed : 

Committee to Receive Proposals and Select 
Location. — Rev. E. Westcott, Hon. W. W. 
Bilison, Dea. N. C. Gault, Dea. E. French, 
Geo. H. Herrick, Esq., Hon. John O. Milne 
and Rev. G. W. Fuller. 

Finance Committee. — Rev. J. E. Wood, 
Rev. E. Westcott, Hon. M. H. Dunnell, Rev. 
J. F. Wilcox, W. C. Durkee, Esq., E. Kim- 
ball, Esq. and Dea. T. W. Stebbins. 

Committee on Charter. — E. M. Van 
Duzee, Esq., Dr, Geo. H. Keith and Hon. W- 
W. Bilison. 

This convention voted to decline the offer 
of 815,000 from the city government of Owa- 
tonna. The committee on location took final 
action November 16, 1875, and through its 
chairman. Rev. E. Westcott, re])orted to the 
State Convention, held at Owatonna in Oc- 
tober, 1876, as follows : 



268 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



269 



" Your committee on location of State 
Academy would report that they met at 
Owatonna on November 16, 1875, and found 
no new propositions fi'om localities awaiting 
their coming together. They did find the 
proposition from Owatonna necessarily modi- 
fied by the action taken by the convention 
held at St. Paul, in the rejection of the gen- 
erous offer of the citizens and council of the 
city of Owatonna, because it contravened the 
great principles of religious liberty for which 
Baptists have suffered so much and uniformly 
contended so long. The proposition as modi- 
fied was a subscription by citizens of Owa- 
tonna, amounting to $6,195, with the 
promise of more as the subscription should 
be f urtlier pressed. I may say in conclusion, 
the members of the committee who were 
present were unamious in their decision ; each 
ballot read Owatonna, and as far as I have 
heard the people express themselves, the 
unanimity is unbroken." 

On motion of Dr. Keith it was voted " that 
the action of the committee in locating the 
academy at Owatonna is hereby approved 
and confirmed." 

The finance committee organized at St. 
Paul, October 7, 1875, by electing Hon. M. 
H. Dunnell, president, Eev. E. Westcott, 
treasurer and W. C. Durkee, Esq., as secre- 
tary, and soon became incorporated under 
the laws of the State. The first regular 
meeting of the committee was held at Owa- 
tonna, November 26, 1875. There were passed 
over to the committee, at this meeting, the 
subscriptions of the citizens of Owatonna 
amounting to $6,195, together with the 
deed of the lots selected for the site of the 
academy, costing $2,000. The first payment 
on the lots was made by the citizens of Owa- 
tonna. 

The next meeting of the committee was 
held at Owatonna, May 3, 1876, at which the 
committee voted to adopt the dollar roll as 
one method of raising funds. 

Eev. E. Westcott was appointed to raise 
funds in the Zumbro Association ; Rev. W. 



W. Whitcomb in the Central, Rev. S. 
Adams in the Minnesota, and Rev. J. W. 
Reese in the Minnesota Valley Association, 
while Rev. J. F. Wilcox was appointed for 
the rest of the State, and to have a general 
oversight with power to appoint agents, also 
to secure a general agent in case he could not 
himself attend to it. 

The next and last meeting of the commit- 
tee was held at Minneapolis, July 11, 1876, 
when Rev. R. A. Clapp and Rev. J. M. Thurs- 
ton were appointed solicitors in the Minne- 
sota Valley Association. 

The finance committee through Hon. M. H. 
Bunnell, reported to the convention held at 
Owatonna, October, 1876, pledges to the en- 
dowment and building funds, including the 
dollar roll, to the amount of $12,313. 

The following resolution was offered by 
Dr. Keith : 

" Besolved, That the committee on incor- 
poration of the academy located at Owa- 
tonna, are hereby instructed to arrange for 
a board of trustees of eighteen, and not less 
than one-third of said board to be women. " 
On motion, the resolution was adopted. 
Under instructions from the State Conven- 
tion, the finance committee met in Owatonna 
in Ma}^, 1877, and I'esolved to take immediate 
steps to secure funds sufficient for the erec- 
tion of a building on the academy grounds, 
to the end that a school be opened in the 
coming September. Hon. M. H. Dunnell, 
Rev. E. Westcott and T. W. Stebbins were 
appointed a building committee. Funds were 
raised to the amount, in round numbers, of 
$4,100. Ground was broken July 8, and the 
building was dedicated September 10 — the 
school opening the next daj\ The building, 
including all its furniture and fixtures, was 
w^hoUy paid for at the time, and cost, as 
stated, the sum of $4,100. At the dedication, 
September 10, a minute report was read by 
Hon. M. H. Dunnell, president of the finance 
committee. Speeches were made by Rev. Dr. 
E. C. Anderson, of Lake City, Rev. E. West- 
cott, of Concord, Dr. Geo. H. Keith, of Minne- 



270 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



apolis, Kev. Mr. Thatcher, of Owatonna, Eev. 
A. P. Graves, of Concord, Eev. Mr. Arnold, 
of Kochester, Kev. E. K. Cressy, of Illinois, 
Prof. Pratt, of Faribault. Ptev. J. F. Wilcox, 
of Northfield, and Rev. H. C. Woods, of Min- 
neapolis. The president of the finance com- 
mittee, in a short address, delivered the kej's 
of the academy to Samuel H. Baker, B. A., 
the principal, to which he made an appro- 
priate response. Holden's cornet band and the 
Beethoven Musical Association, of Owatonna, 
furnished excellent music for the occasion. 
This building is still in use, although it is the 
intention at the present writing to erect a 
costl\- and commodious structui'e in the near 
future, and use the present building as chapel. 
At the Baptist State Convention held in 
Minneapolis in 1885, Hon. George A. Pills- 
bury proposed that if $25,000 could be raised 
and added to the endowment fund he would 
erect a ladies" boarding-hall and donate it to 
the institution. The amount was raised al- 
most immediately, and in accordance with 
his proposition in 1886, he erected what is 
known as Pillsbury Hall. The site for the 
hall, which is just north of the "chapel," 
was purchased in February', 1886 ; the corner- 
stone was laid June 1, 1886, and the hall was 
opened in October. It is a magnificent 
structui'e, occupying a commanding position 
on the hill in the eastern portion of the city. 
The cost was about is25,000. The name of 
the acadeni}' was changed from Minnesota to 
Pillsbury Academy by a vote of the Baptist 
State Convention in October, 1886, and rati- 
fied and legalized by an act of thelegistature 
in 1887. The academy has prospered finelj', 
now having students from all portions of the 
State. The average attendance is now about 
seventy-five. It has prepared many students 
for some of the most noted educational insti- 
tutions in America, including Havard Col- 
lege ; Madison (N. Y.) ; Rochester ; Am- 
herst ; Carlton ; Minnesota State University, 
and others. The control of the institution is 
vested in a board of eighteen directors or 
trustees — one-third of whom are ladies. 



The latter fact is due to Mrs. Silas Hillman, 
of Dodge County, who made a generous 
donation upon the condition that one-third of 
the board of trustees should be composed of 
ladies. Among so many who should be men- 
tioned as prominent workers in securing the 
academv and making it the success it has 
been, it is difficult to choose ; but a history 
of this institution that did not give great 
credit to Hon. George A. Pillslniry and Hon. 
M. II. Dunnell would be sadly deficient. 

OFFICEKS AND INSTK0CTOKS. 

The following is a list of the officers and 
instructors who have served in the various 
years since the academy was opened : 
FALL, 1877. 

Finance Committee and Acting Trustees — 
Hon. Mark H. Dunnell, of Owatonna, presi- 
dent ; Rev. Erastus Westcott, of Concord, 
treasurer ; William C. Durkee, Esq., of Man- 
kato, seci-etary ; Rev. John E. Wood, of De- 
troit ; Rev. James F. Wilcox, of ^N'orthfield ; 
Thomas W. Stebbins, of Rochester; and 
Edwin Kimball, Esq., of Forest City. 

Instructors — Samuel II. Baker, B. A., 
principal; Addie A. Sargent, B. S., assistant; 
Rev. Geo. C. Tanner, teachers' class ; Dora 
Williamson, instrumental music ; A. C. Gut- 
terson, vocal music. 

1877-8. 

Instructors — Samuel II. Baker, B. A., 
principal (higher mathematics and classics) ; 
Addie A. Sargent, B. S., preceptress (modern 
languages); Jean C. Sherwood, B. S., 
(English literature and rhetoric); Rev. G. C. 
Tanner, A. M. (normal class); Dora A. Wil- 
liamson, and Prof. A. C. Gutterson, music. 

Officers and Trustees — Rev. E. Westcott, 
of Concord, president ; Dr. H. S. Hill, secre- 
tary; P. Bliss, of Owatonna, treasurer; Dr. 
G. II. Keith, Minneapolis ; Hon. M. H. Dun- 
nell ; Hon. H. H. Johnson, Owatonna ; Rev. 
R. A. Clapp, St. James ; John V. Daniels, 
Rochester ; E. M. Van Duzee, St. Paul ; M. 
A. Fredenburg, Owatonna; W. F. Ililiinan, 
Mantorville; W. P. Gibson, Mankato; Sarah 
P. Butler, Minneapolis; Lydia J. R. Gates, 



HISTORY OF STEELK COUNTY. 



271 



St. Paul; Lucy J. Ross, Kasson ; Nancy M. 
Farringtou, Winona ; Amy H. Wilbour, Aus- 
tin ; Lucy N. Allen, Lake City. 
187S-9. 

Instructors — Samuel H. Baker, B. A., 
principal ; Addie A. Sargent, B. S. ; Jean C. 
Sherwood, B. S. ; Eev. Geo. C. Tanner, A. 
M. ; Lillie Lake, A. C. Gutterson. 

Trustees and Officers — Eev. Erastus West- 
cott, of Concord, president ; Dr. H. S. Hill, 
of Owatonna, secretary; Pliilo Bliss, of 
Owatonna, treasurer; Dr. George H. Keith, 
of Minneapolis ; Hon. Mark H. Dunncll, of 
Owatonna; Hon. H. H. Johnson, of Owa- 
tonna; Rev. Robert A. Clapp, of St. James; 
John V. Daniels, of Rochester ; E. M. Van 
Duzee, of St. Paul ; Myron A. Fredenburg, 
of Owatonna; William F. Hillman, of Man- 
torville ; William P. Gibson, of Mankato ; 
Sarah P. Butler, of Minneapolis ; Lydia J. 
R. Gates, of St. Paul ; jSTancy M. Farrington, 
of Winona ; Amy H. Wilbour, of Austin ; 
Lucy N. Allen, of Lake City ; and Maggie E. 
Morin, of Albert Lea. 

1879-80. 

Instructors — Samuel II. Baker, B. A., 
principal (classics and higher arithmetic) ; 
Addie E. Sargent, B. S. (modei'n languages); 
Maria Burlingame, O. E. (English literature 
and rhetoric) ; Lillie Lake, instrumental 
music; A. C. Gutterson, vocal music. 

Trustees and Officers — Rev. Erastus West- 
cott. Concord, president ; Dr. H. S. Hill, 
Owatonna, secretary ; Philo Bliss, Owatonna, 
treasurer; Dr. G. H. Keith, Minneapolis; 
Mark II. Dunnell, H. H. Johnson, Owatonna ; 
Rev. Robert A. Clapp, St. James ; John Y. 
Daniels, Rochester ; E. M. Van Duzee, St. 
Paul; M. A. Fredenburg, Owatonna; W. F. 
Hillman, Mantorville ; W. P Gibson, Man- 
kato; Sarah P. Butler, Minneapolis; Lydia 
J. R. Gates, St. Paul ; Nancy M. Farrington, 
Winona ; Amy H. Wilbour, Austin ; Lucy 
K Allen, Lake City ; Maggie E. Morin, Al- 
bert Lea. 

1880-1. 

Instructors — Israel H. DeWolf, A. M., 



principal (Latin and natural science) ; Addie 
A. Sargent, B. S., (mathematics and Ger- 
man) ; Maria Burlingame, O. E. (Greek, 
English literature, history); Lillie Lake, 
(instrumental music) ; A. C. Gutterson (vocal 
music). 

Trustees and Officers — Rev. Erastus West- 
cott, of Concord, president ; Dr. H. S. Ilill, 
of Owatonna, secretary ; Philo Bliss, of 
Owatonna, treasurer ; Dr. G. H. Keith, 
Minneapolis; Hon. M. H. Dunnell, Hon. 
Harvey H. Johnson, Owatonna ; Rev. R. A. 
Clapp, St. James ; Rev. R. W. Arnold, 
Rochester ; E. M. Van Duzee, St. Paul ; M. 
A. Fredenburg, Owatonna ; W. F. Hillman, 
Mantorville ; W. P. Gibson, Mankato ; Sarah 
P. Butler, Minneapolis ; Lydia J. R. Gates, 
St. Paul ; Nancy M. Farrington, Winona; 
Amy H. Wilbour, Austin ; Mary H. S. Pratt, 
Faribault ; Maggie E. Morin. 
1881-2. 

Instructors — Israel 11. DeWolf, A. M., 
principal (Latin and natural science) ; Ad- 
die A. Sargent, B. S., (mathematics and 
German) ; Maria Burlingame, O. E. (Greek, 
English literature, history); Lillie Lake and 
Maggie Louise Dickson (instrumental music) ; 
A. C. Gutterson, vocal music. 

Trustees and Officers — Rev. Erastus West- 
cott, of Concord, president ; Dr. II. S. li. 
Hill, secretary ; Philo Bliss, Owatonna, treas- 
urer ; Rev. H. C. Woods, Minneapolis ; Hon. 
M. II. Dunnell, Hon. II. II. Johnson, Owa- 
tonna ; Rev. R. A. Clapp, St. James ; Rev. 
R. W. Arnold, Rochester ; E. M. Van Duzee, 
St. Paul ; M. A. Fredcnl)urg, Owatonna; W. 
F. Hillman, Mantorville ; Rev. L. C. Barnes, 
St. Paul ; Sarah P. Butler, Minneapolis ; 
Lydia J. R. Gates, St. Paul; Nancy M. Far- 
rington, Winona; Amy H. Wilbour, Austin ; 
E. A. Ellerbe, Mankato ; Maggie E. Morin. 
1882-3. 

Instructors — Israel H. DeWolf, A. M., 
principal (Latin and Greek) ; Addie A. Sar- 
gent, B. S., (mathematics, German and 
botany) ; Maria Burlingame (English litei'a- 
ture and history); Clara M. Griffin (English 



272 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



department) ; Maggie Louise Dickson, (in- 
strumental music) ; A. C. Gutterson, (vocal 
music) . 

Trustees and Officers — Kev. Ei-astus West- 
cott, of Concord, president ; Dr. H. S. Hill, 
secretary; Philo Bliss, Owatonna, treasurer ; 
Rev. H. C. Woods, Minneapolis ; Hon. M. H. 
Dunnell, Hon. H. H. Johnson, Owatonna; 
Gr. H. Herrick, St. James; Eev. E. W.Ar- 
nold, Eochester; E. M. VanDuzee, 8t. Paul ; 
M. A. Fredenburg, Owatonna ; W. F. Hill- 
man, Mantorville ; Hon. Geo. A. Pillsbury, 
Sarah P. Butler, Minneapolis ; Lydia J. E. 
Gates, St. Paul ; Irene Wilcox, Northfield ; 
Amy H. Wilbour, Austin ; E. A. Ellerbe, 
Mankato ; Maggie E. Morin, Albert Lea. 
1883-4. 

Instructors — Joshua L. Ingraham, A. M., 
principal (Greek and mathematics) ; Bela M. 
Lawrence, A. B. (Latin, German and 
sciences) ; Orinda P. Chollar (English litera- 
ture, history and rhetoric) ; M. Louise Dick- 
son (instrumental music) ; A. C. Gutterson, 
(vocal music). 

Officers and Trustees — Hon. M. H. Dun- 
nell, president ; Dr. H. S. Hill, secretary ; 
Philo Bliss, of Owatonna, treasurer; Eev. H. 
C. Woods, St. Paul ; Eev. Erastus Westcott, 
Concord ; Hon. H. H. Johnson, Owatonna ; 
G. H. Herrick, St. James ; Hon. A. C. Hick- 
man, Owatonna ; E. M. Van Duzee, St. Paul ; 
M. A. Fredenburg, Owatonna; W. F. Hill- 
man, Mantorville; Hon. G. A. Pillsbur}^, 
Minneapolis ; Mrs. Sarah P. Butler, Mineapo- 
lis; Lydia J. B. Gates, St. Paul; Irene Wil- 
cox, Northfield ; Anna II. Wilbour, Austin ; 
Maggie E. Morin, Albert Lea ; Mrs. G. M. 
Palmer, Mankato. 

1884-.5. 

Instructors — Joshua L. Ingraham, A. M., 
principal (Greek and mathematics); Bela 
M. Lawrence, A. B. (Latin, German and 
sciences) ; Laura E. H. Arey (English litera- 
ture, history and rhetoric) ; Emma M. Eich, 
(instrumental music); A. C. Gutterson, 
(vocal music). 

Officers and trustees — Hon. M. H. Dun- 



nell, president ; Eev. W. A. Spinnej^, secretary; 
Philo Bliss, of Owatonna, treasurer ; Mrs. 
Sarah P. Butler, Minneapolis ; M. A. Freden- 
burg, Owatonna ; Mrs. Lydia J. E. Gates, St. 
Paul; W. F. Hilhiian, Mantorville; Hon. H. 
H. Johnson, E. M. Van Duzee, St. Paul ; Eev. 
E. AVestcott, Concord ; Mrs. Amy H. Wil- 
bour, Austin ; Mrs. Maggie E. Morin, Albert 
Lea ; G. H. Herrick, St. James ; Eev. H. C. 
Woods, St. Paul ; Hon. G. A. Pillsbury, Min- 
neapolis ; Mrs. Irene Wilcox, Northfield ; 
Hon. A. C. Hickman, Owatonna; Mrs G. M. 
Palmer, Mankato. 

1885-6. 

Instructors — Joshua L. Ingi-aham, A. M., 
principal (Greek, mathematics and mental 
philosophy') ; Bela M. Lawrence, A. M. 
(Latin, German and sciences); Mrs. Laura E. 
H. Lawrence (English literature, history 
and rhetoric) ; Emma M. Eich (instrumental 
music) ; A. C. Gutterson (vocal music). 

Officers and Trustees — E. M. Van Duzee, 
of St. Paul, president; Eev. W. A. Spinney, 
secretary ; Philo Bliss, of Owatonna, treas- 
urer; Mrs. Sarah P. Butler, Minneapolis; 
Hon. M. H. Dunnell, M. A. Fredenburg, Owa- 
tonna; Lydia J. E. Gates, St. Paul ; W. F. 
Ilillman, Mantorville ; Hon. H. H. Johnson, 
Owatonna ; Eev. E. Westcott, Concord ; 
Mrs. Amy H. Wilbour, Austin ; Mrs. Maggie 
E. Morin, Albert Lea; G. H. Herrick, St. 
James ; Eev. H. C. Woods, St. Paul ; Hon. 
G. A. Pillsbury, Minneapolis; Mrs. Irene 
Wilcox, Northtield ; Hon. A. C. Hickman, 
Owatonna; Mrs. G. M. Palmer, Mankato. 
1886-7 

Instructors — Joshua L. Ingraham, A. M., 
principal (Greek, mathematics and mental 
philosophy) ; Bela M. Lawrence, A. M. 
(Latin, German and sciences) ; Mi'S. M3'ra E. 
Call, A. B. (English literature, history and 
rhetoric) ; Emma M. Eich (instrumental 
music) ; Prof. A. C. Gutterson (vocal music). 

The following is a list of officers and 
trustees, giving the year in which their terms 
expire — Edward M. Van Duzee, of St. Paul, 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



273 



president; Rev. W. A. Spinney, secretary; 

Pliilo Bliss, of Owatonna, treasurer : 

Philo Bliss, Esq Owatonna 1889 

Mrs. Sarah P. Butler Minneapolis 1887 

Hon. M. H. Dunnell Owatonna 1888 

*Myron A. Fredenburg, Esq., Owatonna 1887 

Mrs. Lydia J. R. Gates St. Paul 1888 

William F. Hillman, Esq. . . .Cedar Rapids, Neb. . .1888 

Edward M. Van Duzee, Esq., St. Paul 1889 

Rev. Erastus AVestcott West Concord 1887 

Mrs. Amy H. Wilbour Austin 1889 

Mrs. Maggie E. Morin Alberta Lea 1887 

G. H. Herrick, Esq St. James 1887 

Rev. H. C. Woods, D. D....St. Paul 1887 

Hon. George A. Pillsbury. . .Minneapolis 1888 

Mrs. Irene Wilcox Nortbfield 1888 

Hon. A. C. Hickman Owatonna 1889 

Rev. W. A. Spinney Owatonna 1888 

William H. Kelly, Esq Owatonna 1889 

Mrs. T. W. Stebbins Rochester 1889 

Executive Committee (1887-8) — Hon. M. 
H. Dunnell, W. H. Kelly, Hon. A. C. Hick- 
man, Philo Bliss, and Rev. AV. A. Spinney, 
of Owatonna. 

Finance Committee — Rev. J. F. Wilcox, 
of Northfield, president; Hon. M. H. Dun 
nell, of Owatonna, treasurer ; W. W. Hunt- 
ington, of Minneapolis, secretary ; G. H. 
Herrick, of St. James ; T. W. Stebbins, 
Rochester ; Rev. E. "Westcott, West Concord ; 
Hon. George A. Pillsbury, Minneapolis. 
1887-8. 

Instructors — Joshua L. Ingraham, A. M., 
principal (Greek, mathematics and mental 
philosophy); Homer J. Vosburgh, A. B. 
(Latin, German and sciences) ; Miss Myra E. 
Call, A. B. (English literature, history and 
rhetoric) ; Emma M. Rich (instrumental 
music) ; Prof. A. C. Gutterson (vocal music). 

Prof. J. L. Ingraham, the ])resent principal 
of Pillsbury Academy, is a native of Cam- 
den, Me., born in 1852. His parents were 
Joseph and Fanny Ingraham. Mr. Ingra- 
ham remained with them, receiving the 
advantages of a common-school education 
until twenty -one years of age, when he went 
to the Waterville Classical Institute and 
remained until entering Colby College in 
1S76, graduating therefrom in 1880. For 



* [Deceased.] 



two years after this he taught in Worcester 
Academy. Then, his health not being 
robust, he gave up work for a year, and in 
1883 came to Owatonna and took charge of 
the educational institution, which is still 
under his direction. Prof. Ingraham was 
married in 1880 to Miss Maria E. Page, of 
Camden, Me. They have one child, Fanny C. 

GRADUATES. 

Class of 1878 — William Abbott. 

Class of 1879 — Mrs. Cornelia Tanner 
Perceval (deceased). 

Class of 1880 — A. W. Lane, A. J. Trues- 
dell, George R. Kinyon, Silas Middleton, 
James Haj'craft, Helen S. Evans, Dora W. 
Hunkins and Ina M. Gutterson. 

Class of 1881— Edward G. Adams and 
Eugene Case. 

Class of 1882 — Eugene P. Hickok, Frank 
Burnett, Frank A. Sebring, Mary Webber, 
Ellen Nelson, Libbie Crandall, Mabel E. Peck 
and Etta M. McBride. 

Class of 1883 — Carl Rosebrock, Carl 
Brown, Bertha C. Truesdell, Mabel E. Gut- 
terson, Nellie E. Fife, John B. Mitchell, 
Peter Koch, Luella Gould. 

Class of 1884 — George L. Carey, Agnes 
Brennan, Benton A. McMillen, Minnie 
Williamson, F. W. Meehan, Sadie Wilson 
and Wm. J. Leary. 

Class of 1885 — Arthur R. Albertus, Mary 
L. Bailey, Alzina Jones, Carl K. Bennett, 
Gertrude Kimball, Jefferson Brown, Minnie 
A. Pillsburjf, C. II. Christianson, Theo. 
Weber, May Fowler, Charles Mitchell, A. I. 
Reeves and Alvin Schuster. 

Class of 1886 — Carl D. Case, U. G. 
Weathersly, Lillian L. Abbott, Nellie Bren- 
nan, Frank F. Buffum, Maxwell II. Cusick, 
Willis N. Holland, Lawrence W. Parker, 
Frank L. Carey, Fred. E. Church, Ane 
Magrete Heegaard, A. A. Maloney, G. W. 
Tryon, Lucia M. Wolverton. 

Class of 1887 — Lavinia Mead, Alice Ken- 
nedy, Mary Schafer and Minnie Heegaard 
(first graduate from musical course). 



274 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



e)tate [niblic e^chool. 

The Legislature of Minnesota passed an act 
which was approved by tlie governor on the 
9th of March, 1885, establishing what is 
known as the State Public School for Depend- 
ent and Neglected Children, and making- 
provisions for the government of the same. 
In accordance with the provisions of this act 
the governor appointed five commissioners, 
for the purpose of selecting a location and 
erecting tliereon suitable buildings. The 
members of this commission were B. B. Her- 
bert, Anthony Kelly, C. S. Crandall, Wm. 
Morin and John Bvers, and the body was 
termed " Commissioners for the Location and 
Acting Board of Control of the State Public 
Schools of Minnesota. " This board held 
their first meeting in the governor's office, at 
the State capital, April 22, 1885, and elected 
from their members a secretary and treasurer, 
the governor acting as president ex-ojficio. It 
was decided that all applications for the loca- 
tion of the institution from the different ])or- 
tions of the State should be heard; but in mak- 
ing the final decision as to a site the interest 
and convenience of the school should be re- 
garded rather than the amount that might be 
offered in the way of a donation to the State, 
but that not less than eighty acres of land 
could be accepted as a site for the school. 
The commissioners then adjourned to meet 
June 1, 1885, for the purpose of visiting the 
several villao:es and cities offering sites. 

At the meeting on June 1, the secretary 
reported thatFarmington, in Dakota County '■, 
Northfield, Ilice County ; Owatonna, Steele 
County ; Albert Lea, Freeborn County ; 
Hastings, Dakota County, and Lake City, 
Wabasha Count\', had each offered a site 
of from eighty to one hundred and sixtv 
acres. A few other )ioints, including Way- 
zata and Redwood Falls, also submitted prop- 
ositions. 

After visiting the several ])laces and care- 
fully examining the different sites a meeting- 
was held at St. Paul on the 26th of June, to 



decide the matter. The offers for tlie dona- 
tion of sites as finall}' submitted in writing 
w^ere as follows: Farmington, 110 acres of 
land ; Northfield, 94 acres ; Lake City, 240 
acres ; Bed Wing, 145 acres ; Hastings, 116| 
acres ; Albert Lea, eighty acres ; Owatonna, 
160 acres of land with all necessary wells 
for the use of the institution, and all 
building material delivered on the grounds 
free of freight. The sites offered were 
each and all desirable and entirely suffi- 
cient for the wants of the sciiool, and when 
the size of the various places and the cost of 
the several tracts were taken into account, 
the offers might be said as to be equally gen- 
erous. The farm buildings were offered to 
be donated with the various sites. Bed Wing 
included fair buildings, stables and fences, 
costing over $4,000. Lake City added to her 
munificent offer of 240 acres of land, a stone- 
quarr}', the use of a brickyard for the manu- 
facture of the brick for the buildings, and 
$500 worth of trees and shrubbery to be prop- 
ei'ly set out under the direction of the com- 
missioners, also offering to furnish employ- 
ment to the inmates of the institution in the 
extensive nurser}' and fruit gardens adjoin- 
ing the land to be given as site, so far as 
should be deemed advisable by the school 
management. Litchfield, in Meeker County, 
also appeared before the commissioners at 
the meeting and made a like liberal offer with 
the other places named. The decision be- 
came a matter of much difficulty and delicacy. 
Sixteen ballots were had without any choice. 
An adjournment was taken unlil the twenty- 
seventh, when on the twentyfourth ballot 
Owatonna was cliosen as the })lace for the 
location of the scliool by three votes for that 
point to one for Red Wing and one for 
Hastings. The selection of Owatonna was 
then made unanimous. 

The site at Owatonna was finally selected 
under the advice of Supt. John N. Foster, of 
the State Public School of Michigan, and 
Secretary II. II. Hart, of the State Board of 
Charities and Cori'ections of Minnesota. The 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



275 



site consists of 160 aci'es of excellent farm 
kind, adjoining and overlooking the city and 
the beautiful river valley at that place. The 
land is rolling, well drained, and affords a 
most attractive site. The Chicago & North- 
western Railroad crosses the farm, and a 
switch has been built to accommodate the 
school, — the State only paying a small 
amount toward the grading for the track, — 
so that building materials and fuel are de- 
livered on the grounds without any cost for 
drayage, and the products of the farm may 
hereafter be handled in like manner. 

Among the reasons which influenced the 
commissioners in deciding upon Owatonna 
as the home for this institution were, first, 
the fact of its location, very near the center 
of the oldest and most densely settled por- 
tion of the State, affording a better oppor- 
tunity for placing the children in well-to-do 
families within easy reach of the institution 
which is expected to keep a watch over 
their care and education; second, its easy 
accessibility by different lines of railroads 
from any portion of the State. 

As soon as the title to the property was 
obtained, arrangements were commenced for 
laying off the grounds and the erection of 
buildings. The services of Mr. Pehrson, a 
landscape gardener in the employ of the State 
institution at Faribault, were secured and 
the buildings located and grounds laid off 
for future improvement. W. B. Dunnell 
was chosen as architect, and directed to pre- 
pare plans for the buildings. 

Prof. J. N. Foster, superintendent of the 
State Public Schools of Michigan, had 
already visited the State, on invitation of the 
commissioners, and given much valuable 
advice with regard to the choice of a site, 
the erection of buildings and the manage- 
ment of the schools. As the act passed by 
the Minnesota Legislature is almost an exact 
copy of the Michigan law, and the Michigan 
school at Coldwater was considered a model 
in every wa}% the architect, and Directors 
Anthony Kelly and B. B. Herbert, visited 



that institution, in order to be thoroughly 
informed as to the best building methods for 
such a school. Their report favored what is 
known as the cottage plan, and the commis- 
sioners decided unanimously to adopt that 
system. 

The Michigan school had, through its 
admirable management and the result of its 
work, become not only the model for several 
States of the Union, but for some of the 
countries in Europe that have sent commis- 
sioners to examine and copy its plans, and 
the commissioners thought it wise to benefit 
by the eleven j'ears of most successful experi- 
ence of that institution. To give the plans 
adopted there is to give in effect the plans 
deemed most practicable and in theory 
adopted by the Minnesota commissioners. 
The buildings of the model school at Cold- 
water, perfected after so many years of 
experience, consist of : 1. A main building, 
containing the superintendent's ofSce, recep- 
tion room, vault for jiapers and records, and 
the library, living rooms for the superin- 
tendent and family, children's and employes' 
dining halls, sewing room, sleeping apart- 
ments for the teachers and emploj'es, kitchen, 
bakery, store-rooms and pantries. 2. From 
six to nine cottages for the children. Each 
of these cottages is under a ladv known as a 
cottage manager. The children are divided 
by means of these cottages into families of 
twenty-five or thirty each, under the control 
of this lady, acting in the place of a mother, 
looking after the behavior, cleanliness, cloth- 
ing and instruction of the children out of 
school hours. 3. A school building with 
four rooms, also a building devoted to kin- 
dergarten instruction for the smaller chil- 
dren. L A hospital building for the care 
and separation of children when sick, and for 
keeping of new pupils supposed to have been 
exposed to infectious diseases until danger of 
contagion has passed. 5. An engine, boiler 
and pump house from which all Iniildings are 
heated and in which gas is manufactured for 
lighting purposes. Above the boiler room. 



276 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



in the same building, is also a laundry 
operated by steam for the accommodation of 
the entire school. 6. Extensive barns and 
stables for the accommodation of a well- 
stocked farm. All these buildings, with the 
exception of fewer cottages and a smaller 
main building, were needed here. The 
arrangement for water supply and sewerage 
is also excellent, and the adoption of a simi- 
lar plan was also recommended. 

Michigan has found it wise and economical 
to care for her dependent children. In the 
eleven years of the existence of their institu- 
tion, over nineteen hundred children had 
been received and put on the way to hap))y 
and useful lives. 

The appropriation made bj' the Legisla- 
ture for establishing this school was $20,- 
000. The commissioners decided that the 
amount could be most wisely expended in 
the erection of three cottages capable of 
accommodating thirty-five children each, one 
to be used temporarily as a main building 
for offices, living room, kitchen, dining halls, 
etc. In accordance with this decision, plans 
and specifications were drawn under the 
direction of the commissioners and bids 
taken for the building and completion of 
the same. These bids were publicly opened 
at a meeting of the commissioners advertised 
to be held for that purpose, and were found 
to range from a little over $24,000 down to 
$15,600 for the cottages, and the contract 
was let to John Ilammel and Silas Anderson, 
of Owatonna, at the last-named price, they 
being the lowest bidders. The foundations 
for the cottages were put in during the fall 
of 1885, and the walls built and the buildings 
completed during the summer of 1886. The 
buildings are of brick, 30x40 feet on the 
ground, two stories besides the basements 
and garrets. They are substantially built 
and covered with slate roofs. The basements 
have been plastered with water cement on 
the outside and especially finished with a 
view to permanent use for domestic purposes, 
sewing rooms, etc., to economize in the num- 



ber and size of other buildings. The garret 
in the cottage temporarily set apart for the 
superintendent's or main building, has been 
finished off into dormitories for employes, 
and the garrets in the other buildings could 
be in like manner utilized. 

The commissioners had many applications 
for the position of superintendent of this 
school. After careful consideration it was 
thought that the permanent success and use- 
fulness of the institution would depend very 
much on placing it in the hands of a gentle- 
man of practical experience at the very 
beginning. The position was accordingly 
tendered to Piof. G. A. Men-ill, of the Michi- 
gan State public school, who added to years 
of experience the highest qualifications, and 
had been most flatteringly recommended by 
his associates in this line of work. Nego- 
tiations were opened through a committee 
appointed for the purpose, and his services 
were secured, to commence as soon after the 
1st of October, 1886, as arrangements could 
be made for opening the school. For like 
reasons it was subsequently' decided to em- 
ploy one experienced cottage manager from 
the Michigan school, and an estimable, ex- 
perienced lady was secured. 

On August 18th the newly elected super- 
intendent met with the commissioners, and 
it was decided to attempt to open the insti- 
tution to the public October 10. This was 
afterward found impracticable. 

The funds appropriated Ijy the State had 
been exhausted, and it was found that unless 
other aid could be obtained the buildinsrs 
must stand empty, and the dependent chil- 
dren, clamoring for admittance, must go un- 
cared for, and the opening of the school be 
postponed to await the action of this Legis- 
lature. At this crisis, citizens of Owa- 
tonna who trusted to the good faith of the 
State in this attempt to care for the desti- 
tute children, stepped forward and advanced 
$5,000. The work Avas pushed forward, the 
buildings were furnished and the commis- 
sioners were enabled to notify the governor 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



277 



on November 30 that the buildings were 
in readiness, and on the second day of De- 
cember the first three children were received. 

BUILDINGS. 

The first appropriation was approved in 
March, 1885, the amount being $20,000. 
Three cottages were erected with this money, 
besides getting the grounds in shape, pur- 
chasing furniture, stock and incidental ex- 
penses. The cottages cost about $16,500, as 
has alread}' been stated. In these buildings 
the institution began its work, one of them 
being temporarily used as the administration 
building. 

The Legislature in 18S6-7 made an addi- 
tional appropriation of $70,000 for perma- 
nent improvements, besides an ap})ropria- 
tion for current expenses. The permanent 
improvements, such as the erection of suit- 
able buildings, was at once put under 
way, contracts let and building operations 
begun. The buildings in course of erection 
will be ready for occupancy by January, 
1888, and are as follows : 

The administration or main building 
at this writing, August, 1887, is fast near- 
ing completion. It will be 132x180 feet 
in size and practically three stories in 
height, and will cost about $50,000. The 
first floor of this building will be used for 
superintendent's offices, reception room, 
library, chapel, children's and employes' 
dining-rooms and the industrial departments, 
shoe shop, sewing room, etc. On the second 
floor will be the superintendent's family 
rooms, together with the private rooms of 
the teachers and employes. The laying of 
the corner-stone of this building was an 
auspicious event in Steele County's history. 
It was performed with ancient and imposing- 
ceremonies, thousands of prominent citizens 
from Steele County and all portions of the 
State being present. The ceremonies were 
conducted by the Masonic fraternity, al- 
though nearh' all the societies took part in 
the exercises. 

Hon. W. R. Kinyon was president of the 



day, and announced the jirogram. Mayor 
Pratt, ex-Mayor Birkett and President Al- 
bertus, of the City Council, were the city 
committee, and Mr. F. F. Grant, a leading 
Knight Templar, contributed largely to the 
success of the ceremonies. The architect of 
the building, Mr. W. B. Bunnell, Avas also 
one of the moving spirits. The ceremonies 
at the grounds were begun by an address of 
welcome by Hon. M. H. Dunnell. Hon. W. 
H. Braden, state auditor, represented Gov. 
McGill, and spoke a few words a]>propriate to 
the occasion. Rev. Dr. Dana, of St. Paul, 
made a fine address. He was followed by 
Rev. H. H. Hart, secretary of the State Board 
of Corrections and Charities. Ex-Gov. Barto, 
of Sauk Center, made a humorous speech and 
was followed by Hon. C. S. Crandall, of 
Owatonna, President of the Board of Control 
of the State Public School for Indigent Chil- 
dren, who made a good speech showing the 
purposes and benefits to Ije derived from so 
beneficent a State institution. Hon. B. B. 
Hei-bert, of Red Wing, followed by a few 
words from M. J. Daniels, of Rochester. 
Most "Worshipful J. II. Brown, Grand Master 
of the State of Minnesota, A. F. & A. M., 
then proceeded with the Masonic ceremonies 
of laying the corner-stone. He was assisted 
by C. H. Benton, D. G. M. ; Alphonzo Barto, 
G. S. W. ; Ambrose La Due, G. J. W. ; J. E. 
Getman acted as Grand Treas. ; A. T. C. 
Pearson, G. S. ; Thomas G. Crump, of Litch- 
field, Grand Orator. Rev. Geo. B. Whipple 
acted as Grand Chaplain. Hon. J. M. Bur- 
lingame, of Owatonna, acted as Grand Mar- 
shal. After the stone was laid, corn, wine 
and oil were put on it. The building was 
then turned over to the architect for com- 
pletion, who responded with a short, well 
chosen speech. The procession was then re- 
formed and returned to the city. The casket 
in the corner-stone contained a Bible, the 
names of the State, county and city ofiicers, 
a list of the officers of the Grand Lodge of 
Minnesota and of the Star of the East Lodge 
of Owatonna, and copies of the constitution 



278 



HISTOKT OF STEELE COUNTY. 



and by-laws of both, the charter of Owatonna, 
copies of the Globe, Pioneer Press, Minne- 
apolis Trihune, The PeopWs Press, Jour- 
nal and Herald, and a copy of the first 
biennial report of the board of control and 
superintendent, and a copy of Gov. Hub- 
bard's message to the Legislature of 1886-7. 

Next to the administration Ijuilding comes 
the schoolhouse, which is also in course of 
erection. This is 57x41 feet in size, and will 
be divided into five school-rooms, one devot. 
ed exclusively to kindergarten work. The 
building will have cost, when completed, 
about §7,500. 

A large and handsome barn has been 
erected, to the west of the cluster of build- 
ings, at a cost of $2,200. 

The hospital is a one-story structure, size 
about 33x47 feet. It will be divided into 
sick-rooms, neatl}^ furnished, and will cost 
$2,200. The name implies the use to which 
it will be put. 

One building serves as the engine-house 
and laundr3^ It will be a one-story building- 
size 40x50 feet, with the boilers and machin- 
ery in the basement. 

A fourth cottage will also be erected, in 
1888, upon a similar ^^lan as those now in 
use, which will cost about $6,000. 

These improvements will exhaust all of the 
appropriation of $70,000, and wiU place the 
institution in good working-order and furnish 
comfortable and convenient quarters. The 
buildings will be well furnished, and the con- 
tract has already been let for electric lighting. 
Tlie buildings are all heated bj' steam. The 
cottages now in use are comfortably^ fur- 
nished, and are kept scrupulously clean and 
neat. 

WOIJK OF THE SCHOOLS. 

The institution was formally opened on 
the 2d of December, 1886, when three chil- 
dren from Steele County were received. 
From that time on they have continued to 
come. Twenty-one had been received up to 
the 1st of January, 1887. On the 1st of 
July, 1887, sixty-one had been received. 



although eleven of this number had been 
placed in families, leaving fifty at the schools. 
On the 1st of August, 1887, there were 
sixty in the schools and eleven in families. 

The following list shows the number which 
have been received from the various coun- 
ties : Steele, 8 ; Rice, 3 ; Dakota, 11 ; St. 
Louis, 7 ; Nicollet, 2 ; Freeborn, 5 ; Wabasha, 
3; Otter Tail, 2; Isanti, 3; Hennepin, 5; 
Waseca, 4 ; Sherburn, 2 ; Winona, 1 ; 
Wright, 1; Goodhue, 2; Becker, 2; Fill- 
more, 1; Olmsted, 1; Nobles, 3; Eamsey, 
1 ; Murray, 2 ; Houston, 1 ; Crow Wing, 1. 

The children admissible to the State pub- 
lic school are those within the borders of the 
State who are dependent on the public for 
support, over three and under fourteen years 
of age, and in suitable condition of body and 
mind to receive instruction. The children 
are placed under the care of the school 
through proceedings in the probate courts 
begun by count\^ commissioners. This pro- 
cess of law in the probate courts makes the 
child the ward of the State during minority, 
and cancels all parental control if the par- 
ents of the child are living. It is not in- 
tended that worthy families shall be unduly 
broken up, or that children shall be unneces- 
arily separated from their parents, but that 
those children whose parents have deserted 
them or have been rendered incajmble of 
supporting them shall be provided for and 
saved from leading the neglected lives they 
would naturally lead if left unprotected. 
As has been indicated, the children are not 
kept in the institution for a definite term of 
years, but are placed in good approved homes 
on indenture as soon as practicable. But the 
supervision of the State does not cease when 
the children are jilaced in homes. They are 
carefully and frequently visited in order that 
none shall be ill-trea.ted,and every indenture 
contract contains a clause reserving the right 
to tlie board of control, to cancel the con- 
tract and return the child to the school 
whenever the interests of the child require 
it. Thus the State assumes the care and con- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



279 



trol of its dependent and neglected children 
that it may rear them to self-supporting and 
respectable citizenship. 

OFFICERS AND EMPLOYES. 

The present list of officers and employes 
is as follows : Prof. G. A. JVIerrill, superin- 
tendent ; Mrs. G. A. Merrill, matron ; H. 
W. Lewis, clerk ; Alma Herapel and May 
Donovan, teachers ; Mrs. Sarah Bailey and 
Miss Mary Considine, cottage managers. To 
this list will be added two teachers and two 
cottage managers as soon as the additional 
buildings are completed. There will also be 
a chief engineer, besides other assistants and 
laborers. 

An important office yet to be filled is that 
of State agent for the schools, whose duty it 
is to look after the important matter of locat- 
ing the children in families and visiting and 
watching their conduct and progress after 
they are so placed. It is an office which 
requires the keenest of judgment and 
abihty, and is among the most important 
features of the institution. Up to this time 
Prof. Merrill has tilled this position, together 
with attending to his duties as superintend- 
ent ; but with the additional capacity given 
by the buildings now in course of erection, 
the work of both offices will soon be beyond 
the ability of any one man, as there are 
already applications which will more than 
fill the increased capacitj^. Prof. Merrill 
served as State agent of the Michigan insti- 
tution for a number of 3'ears, resigning that 
to become superintendent here. As soon as 
the new buildings are opened the board of 
control will fill the office of State agent for 
the Minnesota school. 

The general supervision and government 
of the State public school is vested in what 
is termed a board of control, appointeil by 
the governor and confirmed by the State 
Senate. The first and present board of con- 
trol is made up of Hon. C. S. Crandall, of 
Owatonna, president (six-year term) ; Hon. 



B. B. Herbert, of Redwing, secretary ( four 
years ) ; and Dr. L. P. Dodge, of Farm- 
ington (two years). After the expiration 
of the terms for which they were appointed, 
one member will be appointed every two 
j'ears, and serve a six-year term. This board 
constitutes a body corporate, with the right 
of suing and being sued and of making and 
using a common seal. It has exclusive 
authority over the management and govern- 
ment of the school, establisli<es the system of 
government for the institution, makes all 
necessary rules and regulations for enforcing 
discipline, imparting instruction, preserving- 
health, and for the proper physical, intellect- 
ual and moral training of children. They 
appoint the superintendent and matron, and 
such officers, teachers and employes as shall 
be necessary, who hold during the pleasure 
of the board ; it prescribes duties and fixes 
salaries subject to the approval of the - gov- 
ernor. 

Prof. G. A. Merrill, superintendent of the 
State public school, is a native of Kalamazoo 
County, Mich., where he was born December 
27, 1859. His parents were George and Sabra 
Merrill. G. A. Merrill lived with his mother 
until fifteen years of age — his father having 
died when he was but eight years old — and 
he then started in life for himself, obtaining 
his education in common schools and by pri- 
vate study. He began teaching school when 
nineteen years of age and continued at that 
for some three years, when he was appointed 
assistant superintendent of Michigan State 
public schools and remained in that position 
for two years, when he was appointed as State 
agent of the same institution. He continued 
in that position for two years when he was 
appointed to his present position. Prof. Mer- 
rill was married October 6, 1886, to Miss 
Estelle Ogden, of Michigan. Prof. Merrill is 
filling his important office with credit to 
himself and satisfaction to all interested in 
the institution. 



CHAPTER XIX. 




MEETON TOWNSHIP. 



Ills township forms the northeast- 
ern cqrner of Steele County, being 
composed of township 108, range 
lit. It is bounded on the north 
by liice County, on the east by 
Dodge County, on the south bv 
Havana Township, and on the 
west l)y Medford and Clinton 
Falls. The soil is a rather light 
loam, with a clay subsoil on the low lands, 
and on the higher or rolling prairie a gravel 
or sandy subsoil. The surface is mostly 
prairie, although there is a small patch of 
timber in the northern part. In the south- 
ern portion is a small amount of oak open- 
ings. Natural meadows are found on nearly 
every quarter-section, though the principal 
part of the land is entirely suited to agri- 
culture, and produces the best quality of 
crops of all kinds, and the township is not 
surpassed by any other portion of the county 
in productiveness. 

EARLY SETILEMENT. 

It is claimed that the first settlement in 
this township was made in 1855, by G. W. 
Dresser, who located in the southwestern 
portion of the township. 

Among others who came during the same 
year were the following : William and David 
Deets, Paul Williams, John Coburn, William 
Miller, J. W. Adams, David Casper, T. B. 
II. Brown, Thomas Hortop, Fred. Irwin, 
Andrew Reed and Lewmon G. Reed. 

A number of additions were made to the 
settlement in 1856, among them being 
A. Wilson, Charles Baker, James Clark, 
Hugh Mooney, Mr. McAndrew, George 
Norton, E. P.* Taylor, Thomas Stockwell, 



John Pierce, M. J. Kendall, L. E. Thom]v 
son, James Hurst, the Naylors, Oscar Searle, 
Mr. Deffenbacher, Daniel McNitt, S3'dney 
Smith Jr., Mr. Curtis and others. 

Among others who came at an early day 
were R. A. IMcDonald, Charles Wilson, Her- 
man Purfeest, the Lane family, Henry 
Maw, John Trask and others, 

VARIOUS EVENTS. 

The first birth in the township was that 
of Harriet Elizabeth, a daughter of Lewmon 
G. Reed and wife, who was born May 3, 
1856. 

The first death was that of Sarah Jane 
(Reed) Irwin, who died November 1, 1856. 
Iler remains were interred at what has since 
been known as Rice Lake Cemeter}'. 

In 1862 that dreaded scourge of children, 
diphtheria, visited this townshi]). The first 
death from it occurred in February, in the 
family of Oscar Searle, and two daughters, 
Alice and Marion, were taken away. A 
number of children soon followed, among 
them being Adelaide and Bertie, children of 
Henry Maw, and three from the famil}' of 
Daniel McNitt. 

The first school in the northern part of 
the township was taught in what was after- 
ward known as the Rock schoolhouse. 

The first lady teacher in the eastern part 
of the township was Margaret Hunter. 
The school Avas held in Edward Naylor's 
house on section 26. Andrew J. Stickles 
was the second teacher in that district. 

In the summer of 1859 — sometime in 
June — considerable excitement was created 
in the settlement by the appearance of a 
large brown bear, which had made its way 



280 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTT. 



281 



from the timber in the northwest part of 
the town, and was probably on an exploring 
expedition. The settlers turned out tn masse 
to give him a reception, and greeted him 
with pitchforks and such other implements 
of warfare as could most readily be found, 
and, after a weary march, in which the peo- 
ple undertook to keep up with his bearship, 
one sturdy farmer got a fair shot and killed 
him. 

In 1856 a Mr. Coburn opened a store in 
the northwest corner of the township and 
christened the village " Dodge City, " but 
the country was so sparsely settled he con- 
cluded that it would not pay, and sold his 
stock to O. T. Jones. Mr. Jones kept the 
store but a short time and then closeil it up. 

OEGANIZATION. 

When Steele Countj' was organized in 1855 
the eastern tier of townships as it is now 
formed was connected with Dodge County. 
It remained in this shape until February, 

1856, when the Legislature changed the 
county lines, and Steele County was made to 
include this tier of townshij^s. On the 0th 
of April, 1857, the board of count\" commis- 
sioners set off township 108, range 19, and 
authorized its organization, giving it the 
name of Union Prairie. The organization, 
however, was not fully perfected until the 
spring of 1858. On the 11th of September, 

1857, the name was changed to Orion, and it 
thus remained until January, 1802, when it 
was given the name of Lyon ; this however 
was almost immediately changed to Merton, 
which it still bears. 

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

Lewmon G. Keed was one of the earliest 
settlers of Merton Township, having come 
here from Canada, in 1855, and located on 
section 25. lie was born in Canada, March 
11,1811. At the age of twenty-one years he 
left home to care for himself, and engaged at 
farming, in which he still continues. Mr. Eeed 
has been twice married, his first wife being 
Miss Jane Eichards (now deceased), a native 
of England. This union was blessed with two 



children, Mary Cornelia and Sarah Jane ; the 
former afterward became Mrs. Joseph Smith. 
Sarah Jane married Fred. Irwin; she died. 
November 1, 1856. Mr. Eeed's second mar- 
riage was to Miss Margaret Orrock,a native of 
Canada, born November 30,1832. Her an- 
cestors were Scotch. They have had seven 
children, as follows : Harriet, born May 3, 
1850 (killed by an accident in falling wheat) ; 
Sarah G., born August 23, 1858 ; Janet J., 
born Mai'cli 13, 1861 ; Caroline A., born 
April 15, 1864; Jessie L., born July 17, 
1866; Orrock G., born January 18, 1869, 
and Nellie L., born October 6, 1871. Two 
of these, Orrock and Nellie, are living at 
home. Sarah married James Naylor, and 
lives in Potter County, D. T. Janet married 
John Naylor, and now lives in Otter Tail 
County, Minn. Caroline A. married Ward 
Perkins, and now lives in Brookings county, 
D. T. Jessie L. married Joseph Miller. 
Mr. Eeed was the second settler who located 
in the eastern part of this township, and was 
among the very earliest settlers in Steele 
County. He has been prominent in local 
affairs. In 1859 he was elected justice of 
the peace, and held the office for two years ; 
has been road overseer, and held various 
other positions. He is Eepublican in poli- 
tics. He is a member of the Methodist 
Church, and was the first class-leader at Eice 
Lake, Dodge County, and was also Bible- 
class leader for a number of years. 

Edward Naj'lor came here with his parents, 
in the year 1850, from Illinois. Mr. Nay- 
lor is a native of Lincolnshire, Eng., where 
he was born January 6, 1833. He remained 
at home until he arrived at the age of 
twenty-four years,when he commenced farm- 
ing for himself on section 26, Merton Town- 
ship, and has remained there ever since, 
doing a general fanning and stock-raising. 
In the year 1865 Mr. Naylor enlisted in the 
First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and was en- 
gaged in service for about nine months. He 
was discharged October 8, and came back to 
his farm. On February 29, 1851, he was mar- 



282 



HISTOET OF STEELE COUNTY. 



ried to Miss Marion Hunter, a native of Can- 
ada. They are the parents of five children : 
Wilham John and Margret Elizabeth, 
(twins), Minnie E., Nettie Marion, and 
Edwin H., three of whom are living at 
home. Margaret is at Warren, Marsliall 
County, teacliing school. Minnie E., is liv- 
ing at Warren, Marshall County, Minn. ; she 
married Wilber F. Powell, who is engaged in 
the machinery business. The other children 
are living at home. Mr. Naylor has been 
road supervisor and school director. He was 
elected in 1873 and held the offices several 
years. He is a Kepublican in politics, and is 
a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Naylor engages quite extensively in cattle, 
keeping about one liundred head most of the 
time. He has a magnificent residence, and 
out-buildings, the house and barns having 
cost about $7,000. The house is surrounded 
by a beautiful natural grove of timber. ]\Ir. 
Naylor s market-place is at Owatonna, while 
his postoffice is at Kice Lake. 

A. Wilson was born in England in 1833. 
At the age of four years he came to America 
with his father. They first located in Oneida 
County, N. Y., where they remained for 
six or eight years, then removed to Dane 
County, Wis. The subject of this sketch 
remained at home until he was twenty-two 
years old, then went to Janesville, and 
ensjaged as salesman for a lumber firm. He 
only remained there during the summer, as 
he was taken sick in the fall and returned 
home for the winter. The following spring, 
on the 1st of May, 1855, he was married to 
Nancy E. Thompson. During the summer 
he remained at home, helping his father on 
the farm, and in tlie fall moved onto a little 
farm of his own near tiiat of his father's, 
lie remained there until 1850, when he sold 
out and moved overland to Steele County, 
Minn., arriving here May 31, 1856. In com- 
pany with Mr. Wilson were Lorenzo Muckey, 
Mrs. P. Wilkins and family, and L. E. 
Tliompson and familj'. Mr. Wilson im- 
mediately made a liomestead of the south- 



east quarter of section 17, put up a 10x12 
foot claim shanty, and did some break- 
ing to comply with the homestead laws. He 
still lives upon his homestead. The place is 
under a high state of cultivation, with fine 
Iniildings, and is among the best farms in the 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have had born 
to them five children, as follows : Adelbert, 
born August 7, 1859 (died when six weeks 
old) ; Frank Arthur, born October 28, 1864; 
Henry Ellsworth, born May 19, 1867 (died 
November 21, 1869) ; Lena Z., born Novem- 
ber 23, 1869 ; and Mary Mabel, born Septem- 
ber 27, 1876. 

Charles Wilson was born January 18, 
1835. His people were English, and he was 
but two years of age when they came to the 
United States. At the age of twenty he 
began life for himself and engaged in farm- 
ing in Wisconsin. In May, 1856, he came 
to Minnesota and settled in Merton Town- 
ship, taking government land and building 
a cabin. Mr. Wilson now has 240 acres of 
land on sections 8 and 18, and carries on 
general farming and stock-raising. He is 
a Republican in politics, and has held various 
school district and township offices of import- 
ance. In Februarj', 1864, he enlisted in the 
Second Minnesota Calvalr}^, and was dis- 
charged November 21, 1864. Mr. Wilson's 
present wife was formerlj' Miss Agnes J. 
Gibson. They were married December 24, 
1876. Mr. Wilson's family consists of six 
children : Jennie, Ida, Nettie, Fred., Minnie 
and Arthur, the five last named of whom 
are living at home. 

Thomas Stockwell, one of the most promi- 
nent farmers in Steele County, came here in 
May, 1857, and settled on section 28, where 
he has since lived. Mr. Stockwell was born 
in England, April 17, 1832, but from the 
time he was fifteen until 1857 he lived in 
Chicago. Mr. Stockwell married Miss Mary 
Conhn, a native of Illinois. Politically he 
is a Democrat, and has held various offices 
of trust in the township, including those 
of assessor, supervisor, etc. Mr. Stockwell 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



285 



has 500 acres of land, most of which is 
under a high state of cultivation ; he has line 
buildings, carries on an extensive farming 
and stock-raising business, and is one of the 
leading farmers in this part of the State. 
He is a member of the Episco])al Church. 

Dexter Carlton came to Steele County in 
April, 1855, and located in Owatonna Town- 
ship. After remaining there for eleven 
years engaged at farming, he came to Mer- 
ton and located on section 7. where he has 
since lived. Mr. Carlton was born in Ver- 
mont, June 29, 1819. At the age of twenty- 
one he left home to care for himself, first 
being engaged at farming, after which he 
worked in a miU for some time. Most of his 
life, however, has been devoted to tilling the 
soil. Mr. Carlton was married to Miss Caro- 
line Lord, a native of "Vermont, who was 
born April 30, 1820. They have had seven 
children : Maria C, born November 23, 
1844; Lowell D., born July 8, 1846; Chloe 
A., born January 2, 1849 ; Alma D., born 
April 3, 1851 ; Frank C, born September 26, 
1855; George L., born March 3, 1857, and 
Albert O., born October 16, 1859 (died July 
22, 1880). Mr. Carlton is a Eepublican in 
politics. With his family he belongs to the 
Universalist Church. In 1862 he enlisted in 
the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, 
and was honorably discharged in August, 
1865. 

R. A. McDonald is a native of Aberdeen, 
Scotland, born December 25, 1834. He left 
Scotland in 1839, and came to America, set- 
tling at Jerse}'' City where he remained 
about one year He then removed to the 
town of Dover, near Eacine, Wis., and 
remained there a number of years. He then 
lived in Bremer County, Iowa, for two years 
and on the 27th of October, 1855, came to 
Steele County, Minn., and settled in Merton 
Township. Mr. McDonald married Miss 
Marion Gibson, who was born in Canada, 
September 7, 1834. Her parents were 
natives of Scotland ; the mother died Decem- 
ber 11, 1886; the father is now living in 

17 



Merton Township. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald 
have five children, as follows : Maggie, born 
September 22, 1871; Asa, born July 15, 
1873; William, born May 22, 1875; James, 
born December 23, 1877, and Agnes, born 
November 23, 1879. Mr. McDonald is one 
of the prominent citizens of the township ; 
is a Eepublican in political matters and, with 
his family, belongs to the Congregational 
Church. He cari'ies on general farming and 
extensive stock-raising, devoting much atten- 
tion to breeding blooded horses and stock. 

W. A. Eggleston is a native of New York, 
born August 8, 1843. At the age of twenty- 
one W. A. Eggleston began life for himself, 
and followed the vocation of teaching during 
the winter and farming in the summer. He 
taught for a number of terms and in 1869 
pnrchased a farm. He now has 160 acres 
of excellent land on sections 17 and 18, 
where he carries on extensive farming anil 
stock-raising. Mr. Eggleston married Miss 
Lucinda Norton, a native of Green County, 
Wis. Her people came here in 1857, 
and were among the early settlers of the 
township, locating on section 19. Mrs. Nor- 
ton died in 1874, and Mr. Norton is still liv- 
ing. Mr. and Mi's. Eggleston have three 
children, living at home, as follows : Gertie 
H., born July 31, 1870; Ella M., born 
November 3, 1871, and Daisy M., born Octo- 
ber 24, 1877. Mr. Eggleston is a Eepublican 
in political matters ; he has held the office 
of county commissioner, was town clerk for 
nine years, justice of the peace for eleven 
years, school district treasurer, and is the 
present chairman of the township board. 
He is treasurer and one of the trustees of the 
Methodist Church. Mr. Eggleston received 
a classical education, attending for three 
terms the Academy at Antwerp, N. Y., and 
is among the most intelligent and prominent 
citizens of the county. 

John Lane came to Steele County in 1857, 
from Sheboygan County, Wis. He had be- 
gun life for himself when about twenty 
years of age, and engaged at farming, work- 



28G 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



ing by tlie month for some two years. He 
then went to Wisconsin, where for about six 
years he was engaged in the lumber business, 
and in 1857, as stated, came to Steele County, 
and located on section 29, Merton Township, 
where he has since lived, having now a well 
improved and valuable farm. In 1862 
he enlisted in tlie Tenth Minnesota Vol- 
unteer Infantry and served for three 
years, pai'ticipating in the battle of Nash- 
ville, and in many other important en- 
orasements. He was mustered out on Au- 
o-ust 31, 18K5. Mr. Lane's first wife was 
Miss Mary Jane Shaw, a native of Vermont. 
In 1875 he married Miss Sarah Holmes, a 
native of Ohio. Mr. Lane's family consists 
of two children, Stella J., and Wykoff J., 
both living at home. Mr. Lane, in his early 
3'ears, received a common-school education, 
as schooling facilities were not as perfect as 
they are to-day. He is a Eepublican and 
belongs to the Methodist Church, with his 
family. 

Herman Purfeest became a resident of 
Merton Township, Steele County, Minn., on 
the 17th of April, 1857. He is a native 
of German}', and was born July 18, 1830. 
At the age of seventeen, Plerman left home 
to care for himself, and worked at wool- weav- 
ing for three years. In 185(i he caivie to the 
United States, and in 1857 came to Steele 
County, as stated. In 1857 he was married 
to Catherine Kiser, who died in the spring 
of 1871. In 1872 he was married to Mrs. 
Sherneing (formerly Miss Elizabeth Smith), 
a native of Germany. They have one child, 
and Mrs. Purfeest had four children by her 
former marriage. Mr. Purfeest has always, 
in the ]iast, been a Repuljlican in political 
matters, but is now Independent. He has 
been school treasurer of his district for five 
years, and taken an active interest in public 
affairs. He belongs to the Lutheran Church. 
Mr. Purfeest served during part of the war 
in the Second Minnesota Cavalry, and was 
discharged in November, 1865. 

"W. E. Martin came here in 1857 from Ad- 



dison County, Vt., and engaged in farming 
and teaching school. He was born on 
the 8th of December, 1836. On December 2d, 
1857, he was married to Miss Nancy Cady, 
who died September 8, ISfii. He was again 
married, on the 25th of September, 1865, 
to Miss Alice A. Barnes, a native of Wiscon- 
sin. They have six children, besides one 
which died in infancy, as follows : Frank, 
born April 11, 1868; George, born June 27, 
1870 ; Bessie, born November 8, 1871: ; Grace, 
born March 11, 1880 ; Ruth, born December 
29, 1882, and Harriett, born November 16, 
1885. Frank is in Marshall County, Minn., 
teaching school, and the others are at home. 
Mr. Martin and family are members of the 
Baptist Church. In political matters Mr. 
Martin has taken a prominent part, being a 
Proliibitionist. In 1879 he was elected asses- 
sor of Merton Township and still holds the 
office. He has been justice of the peace six 
years ; school treasurer two terms, and town 
supervisor two terms. On the 11th of Au- 
gust, 1862, Mr. Martin enlisted in Company 
A, Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and 
served until honorably discharged, July 7, 
1865. At the present writing Mr. Martin is 
carrying on farming and stock-i'aising on 
section 32. 

E. P. Taylor was born on the 20th of 
August, 1835. He came to Steele County, 
from Franklin Count}', Mass., in 1857, 
and located on section 12, in Merton 
Township. August llth, 1862, he enlisted 
in Comi)any A, Tenth Minnesota Volunteer 
Infantry ,and was honorably discharged June 
2, 1865. After being mustered out he went 
to Massacliusetts, and remained a few 
months, then returned to his Steele County 
home. Mr. Taylor now has a valuable farm 
and lives on section 5, carrj'ing on general 
farming and raising Holstein and other 
blooded stock. Mr. Taylor was married 
Januar}' 1, 1869, to Miss Ellen Hulett, a 
native of Wisconsin. They have five chil- 
dren : Berthold W., born March 12, 1871 ; 
Lewis S., born November 17,1873; Eliza, 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



287 



born Septeiubei' 1-i, 1877 ; Ina, born Novem- 
ber 10, 1882, and Chester A., born July 17, 
1884. Mr. Taylor is a Republican in poli- 
tics and takes an active interest in public 
matters calculated to benefit town or county. 

John Young is a native of the State of 
New York, and was born ]\[arch 7, 1839. 
At eleven years of age he began caring for 
himself and followed farming for six years, 
when he came "West to Indiana. From 
there he Avent to Iowa and worked in a saw- 
mill for a number of years. lie then for 
four years was in Dakota County, Neb., 
part of the time carrying the United States 
mail from Dakota City to a point about 
130 miles distant. From there he went 
back to Iowa, and later settled at Canon 
Cit}", Eice County, Minn., remaining there 
six years, from where, in 1867, he removed 
to this township. In January', 18fi5, Mr. 
Young enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy 
Artillery and was discharged at Chatta- 
nooga, Tenn., August 15, 1865. On the 
10th of March, 1861, Mr. Young M-as mar- 
ried to Miss Ruth A. Munger, who was born 
in Dorchester, near London, Canada, May 
31, 18i4. She had lived in Canada until 
twelve years of age and then removed to 
Waterloo, where she married Mr. Young. 
Mr. and Mrs. Young have four children, as 
follows : Minnie M. born May 17, 1862 ; 
Jared S., born August 15, 1870; Jessie D., 
born March 17, 1872, and Frederick W., 
born Sept. 9, 1874. Mr. Young is a Ke])ub- 
lican in political matters. He was one of 
the organizers of school district No. 41, and 
held the office of clerk of that district for 
sixteen yeare. He is one of the deacons in The 
Eichland Baptist Church, and all of the fam- 
ilj" are members of that religious organiza- 
tion. 

Henry Maw is a native of England, born 
in the town of Darfield, December 15, 1828. 
His parents were James and Mai'y M. (Booth) 
Maw ; his father being a toll-gate keeper, his 
business kept him moving from one station to 
another about every year. When Henry 



was fourteen the family came to America 
and located in Jefferson County, Wis., 
where they claimed government land. At 
that time the townships of that county were 
not organized, but were the next spring, 
and their claim was in what became Palmyra 
Township. The parents remained on the 
place until their deaths some years later, 
the mother dying when Henry was nineteen 
and the father when he was twenty-four 
years of age. Henry remained upon the 
homestead until he was thirty years old, 
when he sold the farm and drove overland 
to Steele County, Minn., accompanied b}^ his 
brother-in-law, wife and children. They 
drove three teams, and the stock, all told, 
consisted of eight cows, one pair of oxen, 
and a team of horses. The}' were one month 
on the way and arrived here June 13, 1858. 
He had previously bought his present farm, 
on which was a " shell of a log house." It 
was moved to where his present residence is 
located, was repaired somewhat and in a few 
da^'s they were living in their own house. 
Mr. Maw at once commenced breaking land, 
and put in what crops he could that season 
He has lived on the place ever since, now 
having 400 acres of land, and fine build- 
ings, and carries on farming and stock- 
raising on an extensive scale. In the fall of 
1858, after getting through breaking, Mr. 
Maw retvxrned to Wisconsin and brought 
back a thrashing-machine, with an eight- 
horse power. They began threshing as soon 
as they crossed the Mississippi at La Crosse, 
and continued to do jobs all along the road, 
until the}' ai'rived at home in February, 1859. 
This was the first thrashing-machine brought 
into Steele County. Mr. Maw was married 
in April, 1849, in Jefferson County, Wis., to 
Miss Elizabeth Mosher, anativeof New York. 
Their union was blessed with children, as fol- 
lows: Charles N., born December 10, lb53; 
Henry, born December 13, 1855 ; Ellen J., 
born December 28, 1857; Rose M., born 
June 1, 1862, and Lilley Viola, born July 
15,1864; Mrs. Maw died August 1, 1866. 



2S8 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUTNTT. 



On the 25th of April, 1867, Mr. Maw was 
married to Louisa O. Eeynolds. They have 
had two children : Frederick J., born July 
13, 18CS, and Flora Louise, born October 10, 
1876. Mr. and Mi's. Maw are members of 
the Methodist Church, he having joined 
forty-seven years ago ; she thirty-one years 
aero. Mr. Maw has alwavs taken an active 
interest in town affairs and educational mat- 
tei's, and has held an office in his school dis- 
trict for twenty years past. 

Henry Maw Jr. came to Steele County 
with his father in 1858. He was born in 
Jefferson County, Wis., December 13, 1856. 
When twenty-six years old he began farm- 
ing on his own account on section 22, Mer- 
ton Township, where he has since been en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising, devoting 
considerable attention to breeding Norman 
liorses. On the 11th of November, 1881, he 
was married to Miss Ida Jane Burns, a na- 
tive of Steele County, Minn. They have 
two children : Pearl Eva, born October 13, 
1883, and Flossy M., born November 3, 1886. 
Mr. Maw is a Prohibitionist in political mat- 
ters, and is, with his wife, a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Cluirch. 

W. H. Wilson was born in the State of 
New York, March 27, 18-12. At an early 
dav he became a resident of Dane Countv 
Wis., where for some eighteen years he 
followed agricultural pursuits. In 1863 
he came to Steele County, Minn., and pur. 
chased 100 acres of land in section 18, 
township 108, range 19. In 1864 he en- 
listed in the First Wisconsin Heavy Artil- 
lery, and was in the service about eleven 
months, being mustered out in 1865. After 
this he went to Wisconsin, and after a few 
months returned to Minnesota for the third 
time, bringing his family. Mr. Wilson was 
married to Miss INIary Partridge, a native of 
Nova Scotia. The_y have four children : Jes- 
sie E., Harry G., Dora M. and Mary E. In 
political matters Mr. Wilson is a Republican ; 
he has been school director and held vari- 
ous other local offices. He has now a large. 



well cultivated and improved farm, with 
magnificent farm buildings, and is one of 
Merton's most substantial and prominent cit- 
izens. 

Edward Smith came to Steele County, 
Minn., from Dodge County, Wis., in 1863. 
His people were natives of Germany, l)ut 
he had moved to Wisconsin from New 
York State, and spent some thirteen years 
in farming in Dodge County, Wis. In his 
father's family there were four children : So- 
phia, Elizabeth, Frederick and Edward. So- 
phia married Frederick Ribstein. Elizabeth 
first married Mr. Scherneing (deceased), and 
afterward married Herman Purfeest. Ed- 
ward Smith began life for himself when about 
twenty -four years of age, and for three j'ears 
farmed in Wisconsin. ITpon coming to Min- 
nesota he located on section 11, in Merton 
Township, where he now has a splendid farm. 
He was married to Miss Maggie Putsch, a 
native of Germany. They have six cWldren : 
Anna, born October 1, 1869 ; Elizal)eth, born 
January i, 1871; Edward, born March 27, 
1873; Frederick, born June 1, 1877; Lucy, 
born May 30, 1879, and William, born May 29, 
1883, Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, 
and is a member of the Lutheran Church. He 
has held the offices of school director and town 
supervisor, besides others of a local nature. 

Dexter Lane is a native of Cuyahoga 
County, Ohio, and was born November 1-1, 
1832. His father was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, his mother (formerly Miss Elizabeth 
Hurlbut) of New York State. They came 
here at an earl}' day, and the Lane family 
figure prominently in the early history of 
the count}'. The father and mother remai ned 
until the times of their death, and are buried 
in the Merton cemetery. In the father's 
family there were nine children : Elias, Eliza, 
John, Licena, Dexter, Laurinda, Leander IL, 
Matilda and Louisa. John, Dexter, Leander 
H. and Louisa (now Mrs. C. B. Baker), are 
still residents of Merton Township. Dexter 
began life for himself when twent3--one 
vears of age, and was engaged chieflv at 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



289 



farming until the spring of 1862, when he 
enlisted as a private in Company C, One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry. He saw much hard service. On 
September 20, 1863, he was taken prisoner 
of war and was taken to Atlanta, Ga. ; 
thence to Eichmond, Va. ; thence to Dan- 
ville, where he remained until exchanged, 
and was then placed in the convalescent 
camp at Columbus, Ohio. From there he 
was transferred to the Chicago Invalid 
Corps, and was finally honorably discharged 
at Chicago in July, 1865. He then came to 
Merton Township, Steele County, Minn., 
where he has since lived. Mr. Lane was 
married February 21, 1855, to Miss Carrie 
Chamberlain, a native of Trumbull County, 
Ohio. She died July 18, 1885, being in her 
forty-ninth year. Her death was sadly 
mourned by a large circle of friends and 
relatives. They had three children: Eva 
Jane, born December IS, 1855; Arthur W., 
born December 12, 1859, and Bessie E., born 
October 23, 1871. The two daughters are 
at home. Arthur is practicing law at Lin- 
coln, Neb. Dexter Lane is a Republican in 
politics and has held various local offices, 
including that of school district treasurer, 
and is among the most prominent citizens of 
the township. 

Captain Leaniler H. Lane, who has been 
referred to, is a native of Cuyahoga County, 
Ohio, wliere he was born May 10, 1840. 
When the Civil War broke out, in the spring 
of 1861, Mr. Lane enlisted as a private in 
Company D, Twenty -third Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, and remained in the service until 
April, 1865, when he was honorably dis- 
charged. Step by step he was promoted 
until when mustered out he had become cap- 
tain of Company I, Twenty-third Ohio 
Infantry. After receiving his discharge he 
came to Steele County, Minn., and located in 
Merton Township, where he still lives. He 
now has 500 acres of land, mostly under a 
good state of cultivation, with good im- 
provements, where he carries on general 



farming and stock-raising, devoting consid- 
erable attention to blooded stock. In poli- 
tical matters Capt. Lane is a Republican, 
and has taken an active interest in all 
political and public matters. He has 
held various offices of importance, including 
those of county commissioner, township 
supervisor, road supervisor, school director 
and others. He is a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, and may justly be 
termed one of Steele County's most promi- 
nent farmers. 

P. Lynch became a citizen of Merton Town- 
ship in 1865. He is a native of Ireland, born 
March 21, 1836. He came to the United 
States at an early day, lived for a time in 
New Jersey and then settled in Lafayette 
County, Wis., where he was engaged in 
farming for about eight years. Upon com- 
ing here he first located on section 34, but 
about two j'ears later he removed to section 
29, where he now has a splendid farm, and 
carries on extensive stock-raising and 
farming, generally keeping from thirty to 
forty head of cattle. Mr. Lynch was mar- 
ried to Miss Anna Gayner, a native of Ire- 
land. Her people were natives of the same 
country, who came to America in 1857 ; the 
mother died in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Lynch 
have four children : May Ann, born in 
1864; Thomas A., born in 1865; Ally A., 
born in 1870, and Elizabeth J., born in 1872, 
all of whom are living at home except May, 
who married John Malone, now a resident of 
Berlin Township. Mr. Lj'nch is a Demo- 
crat in political matters. He and his wife 
are memljers of the Catholic Church. 

George Hunter, a prominent citizen of 
Merton Township, was born in Canada, on 
the 15th of April, 1834. At the age of 
twenty-one he left home to care for himself, 
and for several years followed farming near 
Northfield, in Rice Countj'. He then re- 
turned to Canada, and for two years was en- 
gaged in the lumbering business. His next 
move — in 1866 — was to come to Steele 
County, Minn., where he has since been 



•2do 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUN'i'Y. 



engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. 
Hunter was married on the ISth of Decem- 
ber, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Naylor, a native 
of England, who was born April 23, 1845. 
They have had nine children, as follows: 
Jessie E., born October 8, 1866; George F., 
born December 13, 1867; James F., born 
January 2, 1869 ; David R., born September 
9, 1870 ; Margaret E., born April 28, 1872 ; 
"William C, born March 2, 1874; Cora M., 
born November 18, 1876 ; Emma J., born 
November 25, 1879, and John E., born 
August 2, 1884. In political matters Mr. 
Hunter is a Republican. 

Frederick Ribstein was born in Germany 
July 13, 1821. He came to the United 
States in 1847, and lived in New York State 
for about eight years. He then removed to 
Wisconsin where he lived for a number of 
years. In 1867 he came to Steele County, 
Minn., and located on section 3 where he 
still resides. He now has a large amount of 
land, fine buildings and is among the most 
substantial and well-to-do farmers in the 
township. ]\Ir. Ribstein began life with 
nothing. At eighteen he left home and af- 
ter learning the carpenter's trade he worked 
at that n^ost of the time until he came to 
Steele County. He was married in August, 
1850, to Miss Sophia Smith, a native of Ger- 
many, and they have had nine children, as 
follows: Amelia, born March 2, 1851; 
Lewis, born April 7, 1853; Frank, born 
April 14, 1857; Matilda, born April 14, 
1855; Edward, born August 28, 1859; 
Fred, born September 27, 1861; Sophia, 
born January 5, 1864 ; Lizzie, born April 
27, 1866, and Flora, born November 10, 
1868. Two of the children are dead ; three 
are married ; one lives in Dakota, and the 
others are at home. Mr. Ribstein is a Re- 
jiuljlican in politics, and belongs to the 
Lutheran Church, with his family. He has 
been school director for several terms, and 
is the present school treasurer of his district, 
an oifice which he has held for ten years 
jiast. 



Thomas Williams, one of the most enter- 
prising farmers of the township, is a native 
of the Isle of Wales, being born in County 
Radnor, September 5, 1833. His people 
were natives of the same country. They 
came to the United States in 1853, and 
located, in Racine County, Wis. In his 
father's family there were eight children : 
John, Mar}^, Ann, Thomas, Susanna, James, 
Sarah and Rice. Three of them, Susanna, 
Ann and Rice, are dead. Thomas Williams 
came to the United States in the fall of 
1849. For a time he lived in Macoupin 
County, 111., and was then engaged 
chiefly at farming in Racine Count}', Wis., 
for a period of about twelve years. From 
there, in 1867, he came to Steele County, 
Minn., where he has since been enraged in 
general farming and stock-raising, now hav- 
ing 240 acres of land on section 22, in Mer- 
ton Townshi]), besides twenty acres of 
timber land in Medford Township. He is a 
Republican in politics. On the 23rd of 
December, 1872, Mr. Williams was united 
in marriage to Miss Sophia Maw, a native 
of Wisconsin, born in March, 1851. They 
had one child, Henry T., born November 21, 
1874. Mrs. Williams died July 23, 1876. 
Her deatli was a terrible blow to her hus- 
band and family, and was mourned by a 
large circle of friends, as she was beloved 
b}' all who knew her. 

J. H. Laughlin, another of Merton Town- 
ship's substantial and prominent citizens, 
came here in 1867. He is a native of Penn- 
sylvania, born December 14, 1843; but came 
here from McIIenry County, 111. Since his 
residence here he has devoted most of his 
attention to stock-raisino- and farmino- and 
now has one of the finest farms in Steele 
County. He was, however, on the road for 
a time for the Woods Harvester Works. 
On the 25th of Januar}', 1867, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Katie Conway, a native of St. 
Louis. They had six children : Edwai'd, 
George, James, Maggie, Milford and \'m- 
son. In political matters Mr. Laughlin is a 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



291 



Democrat, and is a member of the Catholic 
Church. 

Philo J. Tuttle was born in St. Lawrence 
County, N. Y., April 10, 1821, his parents 
being natives of Vermont. "Wlien he was 
eighteen montlis old, his mother died. When 
eleven he began life on his own account and 
began work by the month on a farm, follow- 
ing this occupation for a period of nearly 
fifteen years. He then purchased a farm in 
his native county and for a number of years 
tilled it. In 1869 he sold out his interests 
there and came to Steele County, Minn,, 
and located on section 19, Merton Town- 
ship. He now has 240 acres of land on 
that section, besides thirt}^ acres of timber 
in Clinton Falls Township. He carries on 
farming and stock-raising extensively. In 
1864 Mr. Tuttle enlisted in the Thirty-ninth 
New York Volunteer Infantrv, and partici- 
pated in a number of skirmishes. In Octo- 
ber, 1845, he was married to Miss Tliesta 
Taylor, a native of New York State. She 
died in 1846, leaving one child, Thesta, 
which died in 1850. Mr. Tuttle was again 
married, on September 28, 1848, Miss Abi 
gail Rice becoming his wife. She was born 
in Vermont but had been raised in the State 
of New York. They have six living chil- 
dren, as follows : Frederick, Charles, Alice, 
Stella, Alton and Floy. Alton and Floy are 
still at home. Fred is clerking in a music 
store at Sioux City, Iowa. Charles is farm- 
ing near Flandrau, D. T. Alice married 
John Burgess, a carpenter at Spearfish, 
Lawrence County, D. T. Stella married 
James Gallea, of Clinton Falls Township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle have buried four chil- 
dren : Hattie, Florence E., Ernest L. and 
Eva A. Mr. Tuttle has taken a prominent 
part in public affairs, and has held various 
local offices, including tliose of chairman of 
the township board, overseer of roads, and 
school director a number of terms. 

George L. Merrill, Esq., was born in New 
Hampshire, August 7, 1820. He received a 
classical educatiou, graduating from Dart- 



mouth College in 1840. He then began the 
study of law, and pursued his studies for 
three or four years ; one year with Judge 
I. Perry, of Concord, N. H. ; tlien for 
about two years with M. N. Benton, 
county attorne}^, at Covington, Ky. After 
this he was examined by Hon. J. J. Mar- 
shall, State judge, and admitted to the bar. 
He then engaged in practice at Covington 
for three years, when he removed to Janes- 
ville. Wis., where he dealt in real estate and 
practiced his profession. In the spring of 
1854 he removed to Faribault, Minn., where 
he lived for some fifteen years, engaged in 
speculating and law practice. Then worn 
out by an active and eventful life, he located 
upon his farm on section 5, Merton Township, 
Minn., where has since been engaged at 
farming and stock-raising. Mr. Merrill was 
married November 16, 1847, to Miss Mary 
Young, a native of Alexandria, N. H., 
born January 1, 1827. They have had 
eight cliildren, only three of whom are still 
living. They were as follows: James C. (de- 
ceased), born July 17, 1849; Caroline, (de- 
ceased), born March 17, 1851 ; Ann, born 
April 30, 1853; George L., born March 25, 
1856 ; John E. (deceased), born August 13, 
1858; Mary F. (deceased), born January 21, 
1861 ; James J. (deceased), August 21, 1863, 
and Charles L., born September 18, 1865. 
Mr. Merrill is a Democrat in politics but has 
not taken an active part in political affairs, 
that of justice of the peace being the only 
office he has held since coming here. The 
family attends the Methodist Church. 

Anders M. Hansen is a native of Denmark, 
born April 3, 1845. At the age of fourteen 
he began life for himself. He learned the 
cooper's trade and followed that, at odd 
times being engaged at farming for a number 
of years. In March, 1864, he settled in 
Illinois, and a few months later went to 
Wisconsin where he was engaged in farming. 
In 1869 he came to Steele County, Minn., 
and ]iurchased eighty acres of land on sec- 
tion 34, Merton Township. He farmed this 



292 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



for about five years and a half, then rented 
it and moved to Owatonna, where for six 
3'ears he Was engaged in the machinery busi- 
ness. He then returned to his place, where 
he has since been engaged in farming and 
stock-raising. He has a fine brick residence, 
splendid outbuildings and one of the best 
farms in Steele County. On the 11th of 
January, 1867, Mr. Hansen was married to 
Miss Anna K. Hansen, a native of Den- 
mark. They have had four cliildren, as fol- 
lows: Molizzie F. (deceased), born JVIay 3, 
1868; Herman, born September 16, 1869; 
Ange Margaretta, born April 10, 1872, 
and Emma Patrina, born May 12, 187-1. ]Mr. 
Hansen is a Republican in politics. He was 
elected pathmaster in 1882 and held the 
office for two years; in 1885 was elected 
clerk of school district Xo. SO. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hansen are members of the Lutheran 
Church in Havanna, of which Mr. Hansen 
has been one of the trustees. 

Benjamin M. Northup was born in the 
State of New York, April 13, 1850. At the 
age of seventeen he began life for himself, 
and for about two years worked in a barrel 
factory. He then was engaged for two 3'ears 
at farming in Eice County, Minn., af- 
ter which he came to Merton Township, 
Steele County, and located on section 6. A 
year later he again resumed farming in Rice 
County. He was then engaged in the mill 
business atDundas for two years, after which 
he again became a resident of Merton Town- 
ship, purchasing the northwest quarter of 
section 3, of Hudson Wilson, of Fari- 



bault. He now has a well improved farm, 
and carries on general farming and stock- 
raising. Mr. Northup was married June 
16, 1870, to Miss Anna C. Edsall, a native of 
Waushara County,' Wis. They have three 
children: Benjamin Edsall, born May 30, 
1872; Ismay Temperance, born October 
31, 1876, and Arthur Truman, born July 11, 
1878 ; all of whom are living at home. Mr. 
Northup is a Republican in politics; in 1881: 
he was elected clerk of school district No. 
■11, and still holds the office. The family at- 
tends the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Geoi-ge W. Strong, deceased, was born 
March 23, 1822. He came to Steele County, 
Minn., in 1856 and located in the town- 
ship of Medford. Nine years later he came 
to Merton Township. His death occurred 
at Medford, March 27, 1881. He was a Re- 
publican in politics and was well and favora- 
bly known throughout this portion of the 
county. Mr. Strong was married July 4. 
1853, to Miss Helen E. Thompson, a native 
of Monroe Countj% Mich., who survives 
liira. She has nine living children, as fol- 
lows: Avelys Z., born April 31, 1855 ; Helen 
R. born July 4, 1858 ; Mary I., born July 23, 
1860; George E., born June 7, 1862; William 
O., born July 6, 1864; Kitsy J., born Janu- 
ary 23, 18«)6;Fred A., born July 21, 1868; 
Fannie E., born February 1, 1871 ; Frankie 
E., born May 28, 1873, and Minnie E., born 
March 16, 1876. Three girls and one boy 
are living at home. In 1882 Mrs. Strong 
moved to section IS, Merton Township, 
where she still lives. 



CHAPTER XX. 



MEDFOED TOWNSHIP. 





HIS is one of the smallest town- 
ships in the count3^ containing 
only eighteen sections of land, the 
north half of township 108, range 
20. It is bounded on the north 
by Eice County ; on the east 
by Merton Township ; on the 
soutli by Clinton Falls, and on the 
west by Doertield. The Straight 
Eiver passes through the town- 
ship, just west of the center, on 
its way northward, and several 
tributary creeks join it in this 
township. About one-half of the 
surface of the township is covered 
with timber, nearly all of the land on the 
east side of the river being covered with a 
heavy growth of fine timber for lumber or 
fuel. A good man}' tine farms have been 
cleared in the timber, and the prairie lands 
are dotted with the fine buildings of the 
many thrifty farmers who have settled there. 
The soil of the timber land is of a black sandy 
loam, very deep, with a clay subsoil, adapted 
to all kinds of cereals or vegetables. On the 
west side of the river the soil is of a lighter 
loam, but is also very productive. 

EAKLY SETILEMENT. 

The first settlement within the present 
limits of Steele County was made in Med- 
ford Township. The first claims were made 
in the summer of 1853, by A. L. Wright, 
Chauncey Lull, Smith and Orlando Johnson, 
and L. M. Howard, who staked off claims, 
and in September Mr. Howard turned over 



the first sod in what is now Steele County. 
The Messrs. Johnson commenced breaking 
on their claims that fall, but did not build 
their house nor remove their families to 
this place until the following spring. 

A. L. Wright took a claim on what after- 
ward became section 5, in Medford Town- 
ship, and then returned to St. Paul. In Sep- 
tember of the same year he hired a team 
and came back, accompanied by Chauncey 
Lull, and then erected a cabin on the claim. 
This was undoubtedly the first house put up 
within the limits of the county. In this 
cabin Messrs. Wright and Lull spent the 
winter, keeping " batch." There were no 
other whites in the county; but a band of 
Indians were in winter-quarters within 160 
rods of the cabin. This was the extent of 
the settlement during the year 1853. 

During the year 1851 a number of addi- 
tions were made to the settlement. Those 
who came were: W. W. Wilkins, William 
Allen, John Sanborn, William K. Colling, 
Edwin Drake, Orlando Bartholomew and 
David Sanborn. 

William Allen settled on section 10. He 
remained there for nearly twenty years, then 
removed to St. Paul, and has since gone to 
the Pacific coast. 

John Sanborn came with his family early 
in the spring of 1851 and located'on section 
16, Mrs. Sanborn, it is claimed, being the 
first white woman resident of the county. 
Mr. Sanborn remained for about fourteen 
years and finally removed to Missouri, where 
he has since died. 



3fl:3 



294 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



William K. Colling was an Englishman. 
He located and selected government land, 
building a house near where the elevator 
now stands in the village of Medford. He 
remained here for seven or eight years and 
finally returned to England. 

Edwin Drake located ujjon what was after- 
ward a portion of the village plat, where he 
lived until the time of his death, which oc- 
curred in 1886. 

Sylvester Gillman, in April of this 3'ear 
(1854), settled upon section 33 of "Walcott 
Township, Rice County, just over the county 
line, where he lived for over twenty 3'ears. 

Orlando Bartholomew made a claim on 
section 8. He remained here until the time 
of his death in 1878. 

David Sanborn came this year, but first lo- 
cated in what is now the town of Clinton 
Falls. About fifteen years later he settled 
in Medford, finally removing to Owatonna, 
where he died in March, 1SS.5. 

In 1855 the settlement continued rapidly. 
The following were the arrivals during that 
year: G. O. Hankerson, Isaac and Jacob 
Heath, S. M. Freeman, A. Ring, L. Muckey, 
"William Reynolds, Charles Jones, Joel 
Pound, F. B. Davis, J. Sliaw, George Strong, 
Benjamin Freeman, James McDonald, Chas. 
Jones, A. L. Kinyon, Mr. Cotton, Robert 
McDonald, Charles Strong and Luther Lane. 

Biographical sketches of many of these 
pioneers will Ije found in another depart- 
ment of this work. 

Lorenzo Muckey settled on section 14, 
where he remained until 1885, when he sold 
out and removed to Montana. 

"William Reynolds located on section 11 
and remained here or about sixteen years, 
when he removed to St. Paul, then to Alma 
City, and finally settled in Owatonna, where 
he still lives. 

Charles Jones made his home on section 
10. After living there until 1883, he re- 
moved to the Mouse River countr}^ in Da- 
kota. 

Joel Pound selected his piece of land on 



section 11, and remained there until the time 
of his death in 1865. 

F. B. Davis also located on section 12, 
After a residence of some fifteen years 
here, he removed to Meriden, and from 
there has gone to "Watertown, Dakota. 

J. Shaw settled upon a claim on section 
12. AVhen the war broke out he enlisted and 
remained in the service until death cut him 
off in 1864. 

George Strong selected a claim on section 
11, and remained there for nearly twenty 
years, when he removed to Merton. Later 
he returned to Medford Township, and died 
there in March, 1880. 

S. M. Freeman first settled on section 13, 
and remained there some ten years. In the 
meantime when the war broke out he enlist- 
ed in the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer In- 
fantry, and was discharged in 1864. After 
coming l)ack he farmed it one season, and 
then moved to Medford. 

James McDonald located on section 12. 
About ten years later he sold to J. Pike and 
removed to Merton Township. He is now 
dead. 

Charles Jones settled on section 10. He 
remained there for about twenty years, then 
sold his place and rented farms until 1883, 
when he removed to the Mouse River coun- 
try, in Dakota. 

A. L. Kinyon settled to section 2. A few 
j'ears later he sold and went to Iowa. 

Mr. Cotton selected a claim in the north 
ern part of the town, but only i-emained a 
few years. 

Robert McDonald lived with his brother 
on section 12. He is now in Merton Town- 
ship. 

Charles Strong took a claim on section 14. 

Luther Lane settled on section 4, remained 
there till 1880, and then located in Medford 
village. 

In 1850 the settlement was again in- 
creased b\' a large number of arrivals, and 
about all the remaining Government land 
was taken. Amono- those who came this 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



295 



year were : Samuel Ring, Wm. Robinson, 
W. ]Sr. Abbott, W. L. Abbott, Joseph Jaw- 
yer, Zacharias Scribner, Charles Scribner, 
Benjamin Livingstone, B. F. Melvin, W. P. 
Bissell, R. G. Lincoln and Richard and 
Chancy Carpenter. 

Samuel Ring settled on section 12 and 
remained tliere until the time of his death 
in 1885. 

The Richardsons located on section 1. 

W. N. and M. L. Abbott settled on section 
9. W. N. remained there until the spring 
of 18S7, when he moved to Lincoln, Neb. 
M. L. Abbott remained here until the fall of 
1869, when he removed to Tennessee, where 
he still lives. 

Joseph Sawyer first located on section 17. 
He died at Owatonna in August, 1886. 

Zacharias Scribner located on sections 
8 and 9, and lived there until 1863, when he 
moved to Faril^ault, and in 1866 to Water- 
ville, Minn. Charles Scribner remained here 
until the time of his death in 1867. Ilis 
widow afterward married II. B. Morrison 
and now lives at Britt, Iowa. 

Benjamin Livingston remained here until 
1866, when he went to Faribault. 

B. F. Melvin settled on section 9. He 
was later elected count}' treasurer and re- 
moved to Owatonna where he remained until 
the time of his death in 1880. 

"W". P. Bissell located on section 9. He 
is still a resident of the township. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first house in the township was that 
erected by A. L. Wright and Chauncey Lull 
in the fall of 1853. 

The first birth in the township was that of 
William Colling, a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. 
K. Colling. 

The first marriage of residents of the town- 
ship was that of A. L. Wright and Miss 
Phoebe Hayes. The ceremony was performed 
in Rice County. 

The first death was that of William Wohl- 
ford, which occurred July 29, 1859. The re- 



mains were buried in what is now known as 
Wolcott and Medford Union cemetery. 

ORGANIZATION. 

When Steele County \vas organized, August 
1, 1855, all the territory in the west two- 
thirds of the county was organized as Owa- 
tonna Township, which included what is now 
Medford. On the 25th of the same month, 
however, Medford Township was created by 
the board of county commissioners and then 
included what is now known as Medford, 
Clinton Falls and Deerfield Townships. It 
was ordered that the first to\vn meeting be 
held at the house of William Colling, and 
F. F. Adams, Orlando Bartholomew and 
William Allen were a])pointed judges of the 
first election. On the 7th of April, 1856, 
the records state that Franklin Township 
was organized of township 108, range 19, 
and the east half of township 108, range 
20, • — which would take of the east half 
of what is now Medford and Clinton Falls 
Township. Many of the old settlers claim 
that this is a mistake, yet it so appears in the 
records of the board of county commis- 
sioners. On the 6th of April, 1857, a change 
of boundaries was made, and Medford was 
made to include the territory now forming 
Medford and Clinton Falls Township. Thus 
it remained until April 6, 1858, when Clinton 
Falls Township was set off', leaving the bound- 
aries of Medford Township as they still re- 
main. The organization of the township as 
it is now formed was not fully perfected until 
the 11th of May, 1858, when a complete list 
of township officers was elected as follows : 
F. B. Davis, J. D. Sanborn and O. Bartholo- 
mew, supervisors ; A. O. Francis, clerk ; W. 
P. Francis, assessor ; Edwin Drake, treasurer ; 
E. Sanborn, overseer of the poor ; K. Pres- 
cott and Joel L. Pound, justices of the peace. 

Among others who were prominent in 
township affairs in early days and who held 
leading offices were : B. F. Melvin, W. F. 
Lewis, Orrin Lee, W. P. Bissell, W. W. Wil- 
kins, R. Miles and Charles Pomeroy. 



296 



HISTORY OK STEELE COUNTY. 



The following are the present township 
officers of Medford, elected March 8, 1887 : 
N. "Webb, Charles Gardner and E. P. Ring, 
supervisors ; M. Skinner, clerk ; W. A. Bailey, 
treasurer ; L. R. Barlow, assessor ; Orrin Lee 
and G. H. Butler, justices of the peace ; G. 
F. Johnson, and S. Curtis, constables. 

In the spring of 1858 the town officers let 
a contract to B. F. Melvin and J. P. Ride- 
out to build a bridge across Straight River, 
for the sum of $900, the county to pay $600, 
on condition that the town should pay the 
other $300. O. Bartholomew and others 
were sureties that the town would pay this 
sum, and on the 19th of June, a special 
meeting was called to take formal action for 
the town to assume the liabilit3^ Tiie vote 
stood 4:2 for paying the debt to 38 against- 

In 1862 tlie report of the town treasurer, 
as to the liabilities of the town was as fol- 
lows : " The town owes not one dollar that 
we know of and there remains in the hands 
of the treasurer a balance of $218.68." 

In 1863 a special town meeting was called 
to vote on the projiosition to purchase the 
schoolhouse on the west side of the river 
for a "town hall,"' but the project failed, and 
in 1867 the building was bought by the Free 
Will Baptist Society and removed to the 
east side of the river and fitted up for a 
church, which by arrangement with other 
denominations was afterward used as a un- 
ion church. 

In 1862, at the time of the Indian massa- 
cres on the frontier, tlie people of Medford 
became somewhat excited in regard to their 
own safety and the town appropriated $5 to 
purchase powder. For some time pickets 
were stationed about the town, but as the 
Indians never came the powder was finally 
burned to celebrate the fall of Richmond or 
the capture of Jeff Davis. 

In 1866 the spring floods carried away the 
Ijridge across the river, and in May a special 
town meeting was held to authorize an ap- 
propi'iation to build a new one. A majority 
decided in favor of the pi'oject and a com- 



mittee consisting of Smith Johnson, L. M. 
Howard, George Hankerson, W. W. Wil- 
kins and Alfred Sanborn, was aj)pointed to 
select a location that would be the most fa- 
vorable and best accommodate the people. 
The committee selected a point about forty 
rods above the old site. The report of the 
committee was adopted and an appropria- 
tion of $1,500 made to pay the cost ; the 
county appropriating $1,000, made a total of 
$2,500. Another special meeting was held a 
short time later and the former location an- 
nulled, and it was decided to build upon the 
old site. On motion of Smith Jolinson, 
$500 was added to the fund. Tlie contract 
was let to Mr. Alden, who commenced the 
work, but as he failed to go through with it 
the town board finished it. Another special 
meeting was held in Jul}^ to add $650 to 
the bridge fund, and as this was not suffi- 
cient $500 more was ajipropriated in Novem- 
ber following, making a total of $-1,150, 
when a fine bridge was completed. 

VAEIOUS MATTERS. 

The first schoolhouse at Medford was 
erected in 1856 near where the highway 
crosses the railroad south of town. The dis- 
trict was then known as the Sanborn school 
district. The building was moved into 
town in the spring of 1859. 

The second schoolhouse built in the town- 
shij) was a frame building erected in tlie fall 
of 1856, on the west side of the river. It 
was used for school purposes for about ten 
years ; was finally moved into the village and 
is now occupied as a dwelling by G. C. 
Moon. The first teacher in this building 
was George Lincoln. 

The present school building in Medford 
village was erected in 1867, at a cost of 
about $2,500. It is a neat and substantial 
building. 

School district No. 5 was organized in 1855, 
and the schoolhouse was ei'ected during the 
following year. It was a frame building 
whicli is still standing, and cost about 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



297 



$500. This was the first frame school build- 
ing in the county. The first school in this 
district was taught by Loduskey Wilkins, in 
an old claim shant}', which belonged to W. 
W. Wilkins. The present teacher in this 
district is Miss Yina Close. Religious services 
were held here as early as 185i. William 
Colling, a man of real practical piety, tiiougii 
not an ordained minister, frequently gath- 
ered his neighbors together and explained the 
Scriptures. Bishop Whipple held services at 
Mr. Ceiling's house in 1857, when a child 
was christened. 

The Walcott and Medford Union cemetery 
was first used for burial purposes in 1855, but 
was not platted until about the close of the 
war. 

BIOGRAPHIES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

Hon. W. W. Wilkins was one of the earliest 
settlers in Steele County, and is to-day among 
the most prominent citizens in this part of 
the State. He is a native of Vermont, born 
August 21,1833, his parents being Kendall 
and Polley(Laflin)Wilkins. W.W.Wilkins was 
first married in 1850 to Miss Mary E. John- 
son, a daughter of Smith Johnson, one of 
the most prominent figures in the earlj^ his- 
tory of the county. The}^ had two children, 
Mary E., and Florence E. Mary E. was mar- 
ried November 19, 1885, to W. C. Kern, and 
now lives in Dakota. Florence is still at 
home. Mrs. Wilkins died July 21 , 1807 ; and 
in Fel^ruaiy, 1871:, Mr. Wilkins married Miss 
Marilla Idell. Mr. Wilkins came to Steele 
County, Minn., in 1851, selecting a piece of 
government land in what has since become 
Medford Township, in October of that year. 
He has since lived here, taking an active in- 
terest in all matters regarding his town or 
county. Liberal and enterprising, every 
move brought to his notice which was calcu- 
lated to benefit his locality' or county, has 
received his hearty support, and his name is 
indissolubly connected with the growth and 
development of this portion of the State. 
In political Matters he has taken an active 



)3art, and besides offices of great importance 
has filled innumerable positions of a local 
nature. In the fall of 1872 he was elected a 
member of the lower house of the Legislature; 
in 1873 he was reelected, and in the fall of 
1878 was elected to represent his district in 
the State Senate. These were important ses- 
sions, and that Mr. Wilkins maile an influen- 
cial representative is attested by many flat- 
tering press notices of that time. He served 
upon a number of important committees, and 
made a record creditable to himself and sat- 
isfactory to his constituents. Since his offi- 
cial term expired he has devoted his time 
whollj' to his farming and stock-raising inter- 
ests, which are extensive. A portrait of Mr. 
Wilkins very appropriately ajjpears in tliis 
volume. 

George O. Hankerson is another of Steele 
County's representative men. He is a native 
of Kennebec County, Me. ; a son of George 
and Celia Ann (Atkins) Hankerson. George 
O. came to Steele Countj^ Minn., in June, 
1855, and selected a government claim on 
section 14, in the township of Medford. His 
wife came in October of the same year. 
Mr. Hankerson has since lived upon his orig- 
inal claim. He now has one of the finest 
farms in Steele County, embracing 350 acres, 
150 of which is under cultivation. He also 
devotes considerable attention to stock-rais- 
ing:. Mr. Hankerson was married in Ken- 
nebec County, Me., in October, 185i, to Miss 
Eliza Ann Barker. They have had four 
children, as follows : George William, born 
in January, 1856; Alice L., born in Febru- 
ar3% 1858; John Frank (deceased), born 
November 1, 1801 (died February 7, 1872), 
and Charles F., born in December, 1863. 
George William, who lives in Medford 
Township, was married July 6, 1881, to 
Eliza Ann Gallea, who died May 5, 1887. 
Alice L. was married in March, 1885, to 
George Flinn, a resident of section 11, Med- 
ford Township. Charles F. is still at home. 
Mr. Hankerson has been a leading man in 
township and county affairs. He has filled 



298 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



a great many local oifices. In the fall of 
1871 he was elected a member of the board 
of county commissioners and served through 
1872-3-4. 

Isaac Heath is a native of New Hamp- 
shire, born November 13, 1810. He lived 
with his parents, David and Tabothy (Clif- 
ford) Heath, until twenty years of age when 
he went to the State of Maine, where he 
lived for twenty-five years. He then, with 
a company of fourteen, started West and on 
April 14, 1855, ai-rived in Steele County. 
Mr. Heath selected government land on sec- 
tion 10, in Medford Township, where he has 
lived ever since. He was married in August, 
1836, to Miss Mai-y Clifford. They had a 
family of ten children, three of whom are 
now living: Isaac P., a resident of Grafton, 
D. T.; John A., a resident of Dodge County, 
Minn., and George, who still lives at home 
and superintends the farm. 

Samuel Ring was one of the pioneers of 
Steele County. He came to Medford Town- 
ship in 1856 from Kennebec County, Me., 
and located upon a claim which had been se- 
lected by his oldest son, Abner, in 1855. Mr. 
Eing remained upon the farm until the time 
of his death. He came to Minnesota with a 
family of seven children : Abner, Sarah, Na- 
thaniel. Eugene, Eumagene, Joseph and 
Eliza, five of whom are still residents of the 
count3^ 

Eugene Ring was born in Maine in 1840, 
and was, therefore, sixteen years of age when 
he came to Steele County with his father. 
When the war broke out he enlisted in Com- 
pany A, Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infant- 
ry, under Col. J. H. Baker, and in the sum- 
mer of 1863 went with Gen. Sibley's 
Northern Expedition as far as where Bis- 
marck, D. T., is now located. In the fall he 
returned and joined the regular army and 
went South, participating in the battles of 
Tupello, Miss., Nashville, Spanish Fort and 
others. He received an honorable discharge 
at Fort Snelling in 1865. In the fall of 
1868 he settled upon his present place on 



section 18, Medford Township, where he 
has since lived. He was married in the 
fall of 1868 to Miss Sojjhronia Compton, 
who died in 1871. In the fall of 1872 he 
was married to Flora Shear. There are seven 
children in the family : Sarah E., Albert C, 
May E., Flora, John, Alice and Fred. 

Joseph Ring, who still lives on the old 
homestead, is a native of Maine. He came 
to Steele County in the summer of 1856, 
with his father, Samuel Ring, being then 
only six years old. He was married October 
17, 1872, to Miss Clara R. McNitt. They 
have four children : Merritt M., born March 
27, 1875; Randall O., bora June 12, 1877; 
Hiram W., born October 8, 1881, and Ar- 
thur S., born August 9, 18S4. 

William Ha^'es Avas bora in Essex County, 
N. Y., January 15, 1841, and came West 
with his father's family in 1856. His par- 
ents were Chester and Elizabeth (Sanders) 
Hayes. Chester Hayes came to Steele Coun- 
ty, Minn., and settled government land on 
section 16, in ]\Iedford Township, M'here 
he lived until the time of his death in the 
fall of 1S82. Mrs. Hayes' death occurred 
in 1879. Their family consisted of the fol- 
lowing named : Cornelius, Sanford A., James, 
William, Phebe A., Dorcas and Maria. Cor- 
nelius never came West. Sanford and James 
are dead. Phebe mari'ied A. L. Wright. 
Dorcas mari-ied Avery Kinney, and lives in 
Dakota ; Maria married C. A. Harris, of 
Dakota. AVilliam Hayes has lived on the 
old homestead ever since coming to Minne- 
sota. He was married Ajn-il 16, 1862, to 
Miss Lucy Anna Jeffrey. They have three 
children : Chester, Leonard and Lizzie. 

D. T. Eastman spent his early days at 
Clinton, Kennebec County, Me., with his 
parents, Henry and Lydia Eastman. D. T. 
Eastman remained in Maine until 1856, when 
he started west, arriving in Medford Town- 
ship on the 16th of October. He selected 
government land on section 7 and remained 
on it a few years. In the spring of 1857 he 
started a brickvard about one mile east of 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



299 



where the village of Medford is now located 
and manufactured the first brick made in 
Steele Count}'. The enterprise did not prove 
satisfactory, as he sustained heavy losses by 
fire, but with the energj' characteristic in 
those days he tried again, and, in the fol- 
lowing spring, established another yard at 
Geneva. Mr. Eastman has remained in the 
county ever since his first settlement, having 
purchased his present farm, on section 17, in 
1882. Mr. Eastman was first married before 
he came west, to Miss Charlotte K. Thomas, 
who died in May, 1856, leaving one child, 
Aliston L., who is now married and living 
at Faribault, Minn. On the 11th of October, 
1857, Mr. Eastman was mai-ried to Miss 
Hannah J. Fowler, who came to Medford at 
an early day with her father's famil3\ They 
were blessed with three children : Orient N., 
George and Edward M. 

H. C. Gillman, deceased, was one of the 
pioneers of Steele County. He came here 
in 1S56 and claimed government land in the 
timber, but did not build upon it. The fol- 
lowing year he purchased the homestead 
where he lived until his death, which occur- 
red March 20, 1882, and his family still 
occupy the place. Mr. Gillman was an active 
and prominent factor in the affairs of the 
township, and was one of Steele County's most 
substantial citizens. He left a wife and three 
children to mourn his loss. He was married 
November 18, 1858, to Miss Jane Babcock. 
They had three children : Carrie, William, 
and Fred. Carrie married Charles Headline, 
January 1, 1884, and lives in Warsaw, Minn. 
William and Fred are still at liome assisting 
their mother on the farm. 

W. li. Miner came to Steele County in 
October, 1863, from East Randolph, Colum- 
bia County, Wis., and bought his present 
farm on section 17, Medford Township, 
where he has since lived. He is a native of 
St. Lawrence County, N. Y., born May 25, 
1843. He went to Wisconsin with his 
parents when about nine years old. He 
started in life for himself when but eighteen 



years old, and followed farming in Wiscon- 
sin until he came to Minnesota. He was 
married to Miss Mary K. Wohlford Decem- 
ber 30, 1869. They have one child, George 
H., born in 1870, who is at home with his 
parents. 

Merritt Webb is a native of Jefferson 
County, ]Sr. Y., born March 21, 1829. His 
parents were James and Wealthy (Hutchin- 
son) Webb, natives of Massachusetts. They 
removed to New York at an early day, and 
in 1849 settled in Sheboygan County, Wis. 
Merritt remained with his parents until 
twenty years of age, striking out in life for 
himself in Wisconsin. He followed farming 
in that State for fifteen years, then came to 
Minnesota, and lived in Wabasha County one 
year, after which for two j'ears he lived in 
Meriden Township, Steele County. He then 
purchased his present farm from John San- 
born, who had "claimed" it in 1854. Mr. 
Webb was married April 17, 1849, to Miss 
Mary C. Putnam, who was born December 
30, 1831, her grandfather being a "son of 
General Putnam, of Revolutionary fame. 
They have five living children : Frank C, 
born November 27, 1850; Charles N., born 
February 8, 1855 ; Edmund E., born March 
22, 1859 ; Mary A., boi'n September 29, 
1863, and Eva May, born January 16, 1870. 
Frank C. lives in Owatonna; Charles N. and 
Edmund E., in Watonwan County, Minn.; 
Mary A. married Homer Demick, of Owa- 
tonna ; Eva May is still at home. 

William Gibson is a native of Granville 
County, Canada, and a son of George and 
Jane Gibson. William lived with them un- 
til thirty j'^ears of age. He came to Steele 
County, Minn., in 1865, and rented farms 
in Medford Township until 1875, when he 
purchased his present farm, which consists of 
120 acres on section 10, where he still lives. 
He was married March 7, 1870, to Miss 
Mary Hunter, and they have had six children 
as follows : Jane, William, Mary, Margaret, 
Barbra and George. 

Alex. McDonald is a native of Canada 



800 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



West, where he was born in 1831. He came 
to Steele County in 1S66 and located on sec- 
tion 2, in Medford Townsliij), where he has 
since lived, carrying on general farming and 
stock-raising. 

John Hamilton is a native of Scotland, born 
March 20, 1821. When eight years of age he 
came to the United States with his parents, 
Gavin and Isabel (Douglas) Hamilton. They 
settled in Oswego County, N. Y., where the 
father died two years later, and the mother 
eighteen years later. John Hamilton lived 
with his mother until the time of her death, 
when he went to California, remaining for a 
short time and then returned to New York 
State. He was then for three years engaged 
in lumbering. Removing to Wisconsin he 
was there engaged in farming for about nine 
years. He then located in Goodhue County, 
Minn., where he remained two years, and, in 
the spring of 1868, came to Medford Town- 
ship. Steele County, where he has since 
lived. He commenced building on his pres- 
ent plate in 1883. He owns, however, a 
number of farms which he rents. Mr. Ham- 
ilton is a single man, and has but two relatives 
in America, a Mrs. Wilson, in New York 
State, and a ]\[rs. Dudley, in Iowa, both being- 
nieces of his. He is a Republican, but does 
not take much interest in political matters. 

J. S. Cory was born in Wisconsin, March 
24, 1848. His parents, Mr. J. H. and Mrs. 
M. J. (Palmerton) Cory, came to Steele 
County, Minn., in June, 1808, and settled upon 
the farm originally taken by A. L. Wright. 
J. H. Cory lived there until the time of his 
death, Januarj^ 1, 1872, and his widow now 
lives in Medford Village. J. S. Cory has lived 
upon the place ever since he came to the 
county. lie was married March 27, 1872, 
to Miss Jennie A. Bloss, a native of Iowa. 
They have live children : Jessie G., Jennie 
E., James E., George H. and Merton E. Mr. 
Cor3''s farm consists of 193 acres of land, 100 
oi which is under cultivation. 

Stewart Warren is a native of tiie town of 
Wholford, West Canada, born April G, 184.5. 



His parents were Matthew and Mary (Ervin) 
Warren. SteM'art remained at home, help- 
ing his father on the farm until twenty-one 
j'ears of age, and then went to New York 
State, remaining two years. He then came 
to Steele County, Minn., arriving here March 
3, 1869, and has since been a resident of the 
count}'. He purchased his present farm on 
section 10, Medford Township, in 1875, and 
has since devoted his attention chiefly to bee 
culture, which he carries on extensively. Mr. 
Warren was married March 5, 1875, to Miss 
Cora Heath. There are three children : Nel- 
lie C. (adopted) ; Bertha M., born February 
22, 1883, and Jennie M., born March 16, 
1885. 

D. A. McKinlay was born September 29, 
1855; he came to Steele County, Minn., March 
30, 1875, and purchased his present farm on 
section 18, Medford Township. He was mar- 
ried September 24, 1884, to Miss Jennie 
Daniels of Waseca County. Mr. McKinlay's 
parents were natives of Scotland. They 
came to America in 1851, and located in the 
State of New York. In 1880 they came to 
Steele County, Minn., and are now residents 
of the village of Medford. 

D. Boynton is one of the pioneers of Blue 
Earth County, Minn., having located there 
in 1857, when the settlers were " few and 
far between." He is a native of Lower Can- 
ada, his parents being David and Betsy 
(Vinton) Boynton. When twent\' years old 
he went to Vermont and remained two years 
at work in the woolen mills. He then lived 
in Wisconsin for four years, when he came 
still farther west and located in Blue Earth 
County, taking up government land in the 
town of Mapleton. He lived upon his ori^- 
nal homestead for eighteen years, except 
while he was in the army. In July, 1804, he 
enlisted in Company B, Fifth Minnesota, 
and served a j^ear and a half, participating 
in the battles of Nashville, Montgomery 
and others, and received an honorable dis- 
charge in the fall of 1805, at Des Plaines, 
Ala He then returned to his home in Blue 






l^^-^^<2^ 



UISTOKY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



303 



Earth County. Later lie sold his farm and 
moved to Clinton Falls, where he lived for 
two years. He then settled in Jredfoi-d Vil- 
lage and from there moved to his jiresent 
farm on section 4 in tlu^ town of Med ford. 
Mr. Boynton was tirst mari-ied at Manches- 
ter, N. II., in 1852, to Miss Julia A. Hancock, 
a native of Vermont. Tliey had three chil- 
dren : George, Walter and Ellen. George is 
an artist in New York City ; Walter has a 
farm in Medford Township, and Ellen mar- 
ried S. Freeman, present postmaster at Med- 
ford Village. Mrs. I^oynton died at Lowell, 
Mass., in March, ISGL Mr. Boynton was 
again married, his second wife being Mrs. 
Sarah F. Parsons. Their union was lilessed 
with three children : Charles S.. xVda A. and 
Bessie E., all of whom are living at home. 

G. B. IIf)sfield, another jn'ominent citizen 
of the town of Medford, is a native of New 
York State. When seventeen years old he 
started in life for himself and came west to 
Waupaca County, Wis., where he remained 
for a year. In August, 1SC>3, he enlisted in 
Comjiany A. Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer 
Infantry, under Col. Murphy, and jjartici- 
pated in a number of impoi'tant battles, 
among which were those of Nashville and 
Mobile. lie was honorably discharged at 
Madison, Wis., in September, 1865. On the 
17th of November, 186t>, he landed in Minne- 
sota. Later he located at Fariliault, where 
he remained until March, 1S71, when he 
came to Steele County, and located on sec- 
tion 4, town of Medford, where he still lives. 
He was married in January, 1870, to Miss 
Mary M. Cabot, a native of New York. 
They have had seven children, as follows : 
Harriet J., Cora L., George F.. Alton C, 
Ralph G., William and Delos. 



The Village of Medford 

is located on sections S and 9, in a beau- 
tiful valley through which flows the Straight 
River. The village was laid out in 1856, on 
land which had been entered as government 

18 



land by Smith Johnson in 1853. The site 
was surveyed and platted by Rev. O. A. 
Thomas, for the ])roin'ietoi'. Smith Johnson 
Sr. At a meeting of the settlers to con- 
sult upon a name wherewith to chi-isten the 
town, Mr. Colling said that he had a son 
who was born on board the ship Medford, 
and was named Medford in honor of the ship, 
and proposed that the town should be named 
Medford in honor of the boy, which proposi- 
tion was unanimously adojited. The post- 
office at Medford was established in the fall 
of 1855, with Smith Johnscju Sr., as the first 
po.stmaster. This was the first postoffice es- 
tablished in what is now Steele County. The 
office was then kept at Mr. Johnson's resi- 
dence, and he retained the i)osition until the 
time of his death in I860. Succeeding him 
in turn came the following j)ostmasters : Ed- 
win Drake, Albert McKinney, D. C. Hunkins, 
E. T. Howard, Orlando Johnson, L. S. Fow- 
ler, John Bailey and S. M. Freeman. The 
last named is the present ))ostmaster. The 
first frame house erected in Medford Village 
was commenced by Mr. Kinyon, and com- 
pleted in 1856 by Smith Johnson. It was 
inin as a hotel until about 1867 by A. Steb- 
bins. The building is still standing, now be- 
ing occupied by John Barney. In 1856 the 
Abbott Brothers put up a steam .sawmill and 
set it in operation and it furnished most of 
the lumber for this section of the country. 
The mill was removed after running a year 
or two. The same year Messrs. Melvin, 
Rideout & Hall erected a fine steam sawmill 
a short distance below the village site. It 
continued in active operation until about 1860, 
when it was burned to the ground and has 
nevei' been rebuilt. 

The first stoi'e in the village was started 
in the summer of 1856 by Albert McKinney, 
on the corner opposite the old hotel. He 
continued it until July, 1857, when it was 
rented by W. P. Francis ife Co., who put in 
what was considered a heavy stock of goods 
in those days. They ran the store for a year 
or two and then exchanged it for real estate. 



304 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



In the fall of 185S Messi-s. Sullev iV Fran- 
cis established a paper here, called the 2Iefl- 
ford YaUey Argu^. removing the material 
fro^i Owatonna. The ])ublicationof the pa- 
)>er was discontinued within a year. Men- 
tion of this is made in the general chaptere 
of this work. 

In the fall of ISOT an extensive gristmill 
was erected here by E. T. Howard. It was 
a valuable acquisition to this part of the 
county. It had a capacity of 150 barrels a 
day. Mr. Howard i-an it for several veal's, 
and was succeedetl by White <k Baynon. and 
then Baynon iV: Mace. In September. ISSO, 
the mill was destroyetl by tire and the own- 
ei"s did not rebuild. 

In the spring of 1ST3 Howai'd «fc Johnson 
erected a cheese factory, which is still in suc- 
cessful ojieration by Orlando Johnson. It 
now has a capacity for the manufacture of 
900 pounds daily during the season, and is 
among the most important industries in the 
northern part of the county. The size of the 
building is 30x50 feet, with :iO-foot posts. 
The cost of building and machinery was 
about $2,000. 

In July, 1866. the lii-st train of care was 
run through the village, on what has since 
become the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railway. 

The Methotlist Church in the village was 
erected in 1S75. 

The Congregational Ciiurch was erected 
in 1863-4. 

The present business of Metlfoixl is carried 
on by the following named gentlemen and 
firms: Postmaster, S. M. Freeman: general 
merchandise, John Baily«feSons; hardware, 
A. F. Baily ; drugs. Ira D. Beeman : cheese 
factory, Orlanilo Johnson : groceries, S. 
Gillman. Capt. Hetithand B. Smith : lumber, 
Bissell <k Hamilton : blacksmiths, Daniel 
McKinlev, Michael Cochran and S. AV. 
Godfrey ; wagon shop, F. Douglas ; harness 
maker, W. H. Swinton. 

On the 2uth day of December, 1883, a de- 
structive fire occurred in Medfortl Village, 



destroying five stores and a doctors office. 
Tlie losses were reported to the country 
papers as follows: Capt. Heath, building 
and pool table, loss $l,00o: G. 11. Butler, 
stock, loss S550, insurance $400: A. B. Bry- 
ant, drug store, loss $800, insurance $600 : 
J. F. Curtis, drug store, loss $1.50u. insur- 
ance $1.000 : O. Lee, meat-market, barber 
shop, doctor's office, store and hall, loss 
$2,800 insurance $1,350 ; John Baily 's loss 
was about $1,000 on store. 

A Congregational society was organized 
at a meeting held at Clinton Falls, on 
the 13th of Septemljer, 1856. Pvev. O. A. 
Thomas was chosen motlerator and seci"e- 
tary. The following named were present : 
Xathan and Phoebe "WiDiamson. Minerva 
Finch, Helen M. Finch, Avery Adams, Em- 
ma T. Adams, David Sanborn. Joseph Saw- 
yer. AnnaC. Sawyer and Zachariah Scribner. 
At a meeting held in Clinton Falls on April 
10, 1857. S. C. Williamson and Zachariah 
Scribner were appointed as a committee to 
hire a minister, and instructed to enj^age 
Eev. O. A. Thomas to preach at Metlford 
and Clinton Falls, as the organizjition em- 
braced both point.s. This plan was carried 
out and Xathan Williamson, of Clinton, 
and Joseph Sawyer, of Medford. were se- 
lected as deacons. In 1864 a chureh was 
erected at Medford which was dedicated 
Februarv 18. 1864. The following have 
served as pastors of this chureh : O. A. 
Thomas. C. L. Tappan, John J. Gridley. D. 
H. Rogan, Dr. Aiken. Edward Brown, 
Samuel W. Powell. John Powell. A.Graves. 
D. Stover, C. W. Bird and W. L. Suther- 
land. The last named is the present pa.stor. 

SKETCHES Of PROMIXEXT CITIZENS OF THE 
VILLA(;E. 

A. L. Wright, son of Daniel and Xancy 
(IN'^alker) Wright, was born in Franklin 
County, Mass., Mareh 1. 1828. When ten 
yeai-s of age he started in life for himself, 
and was engaged at farming for other par- 
ties until he was sixteen years of age. He 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



305 



tlieii entered a boot and shoe store and re- 
mained in this for about seven years, when 
lie went to Nortli Hampton, in the same 
State, and there engaged in tlie marble 
trade, which he followed for two ^-ears. 
Then, getting the western fever, he started 
for Minnesota, landing in St. Paul Ma}' ;^, 
1853. The following August he came to 
Steele Countv and made a claim on section 
5 of what is now Medford Townshij). Short- 
ly after this he returned to St. Paul, and in 
September hired a team in company with 
Chauncey Lull and retui'ned to his claim. 
They then erected a cai)in. which was the 
lirst house erected in the county. After all 
was finished they again returned to St. Paul 
and in November of the same year they 
came back to stay, keeping " bachelor's 
hall" all winter, their only neighbors being 
a band of Indians who were in winter's 
camp about 160 rods from their house. The 
first plowing in Steele County was done by 
Mr. Wright in Mav, 1S51-, and the Hrst croi3 
consisted of corn and potatoes. On this 
claim Mr. Wright remained until 1S<>2, when 
he moved to Canon City, Rice County, and 
there passed twenty-two years ; then sold all 
his interests there, and returned to Steele 
County, locating in Medford Township, on 
the farm he now holds. March 22, 1S55, he was 
united in nuirriage to Phoebe Hayes. They 
have had born to them five children : Will- 
ard, Wallace, (4eorge, Xettie and Fred. 
Wallace is married and lives in Medford; 
Nettie is now Mrs. Henry S. Turner. oF Can- 
on City, nice County, Minn. 
■ Orlando Johnson, one of the substantial 
citizens of this part of the county, was one of 
the first settlers in Medford Township. He 
is a native of C'henango County, N. Y., 
l)orn in 18H1, his parents being Smith and 
Elizabeth (Carjienter) Johnson. When twenty 
years old, Orlando went to Wisconsin, 
and a .short time later to Kingsbuiy (4rove, 
Whiteside County. Til., where he taught 
school during the winter of 1851. In the 
spring of 1852 he went to St. Paul, Minn., 



and a short time later to Faribault. In the 
summer of 1853 he came with a party of 
first settlers to what is now Steele Count}' 
and took a claim for his father, Smith John- 
son Sr., on the present site of MedfOrd Vill- 
age. In 1854r he turned the claim over to 
his father. He was here "off and on " until 
1855, but his home was at Faribault. In 
1853 he had liought a claim at Faribault, 
and in company with Mark Wells erected a 
cabin. In the summer of 1855 he went to 
California, where he was engaged in mining 
and lumbering. In 1801 he enlisted in the First 
California^'olunteerInfantl'v, which remained 
in camp at Los Angeles, Cal., during the 
winter of 1801-2. In the spring they crossed 
the California desert, reaching the llio 
Grande at Fort Thorn. Going down the 
river they were stationed at Franklin (now 
El Paso), Tex. The remainder of his service 
was ]iassed at Santa Fe and Fort Union. 
During the time he was in Me.xico his duty 
consisted chief!}' in gathering Indians on the 
reservation, and his last act was to so station 
113 red-skins. Fie was honorably discharged 
at Fort Union, N. M., returned to Medford, 
Minn., in October, 1804, and settled on the 
farm now owned by John Hamilton. In 
1870 he left the farm and engaged in the 
general mercantile trade for a short time. 
In the spring of 1873 he erected the cheese 
factory which he still carries on, doing an 
extensive business. Mr. Johnson was mar- 
ried November 1, 1805, to Miss C)live E. IIu- 
lett. They have three children: Rollin E., 
lAike H. and Lloyd 15. 

Smith Johnson is also among the most 
prominent and influential citizens in the 
northern part of the county. He is one of 
the oldest settlers and has been very prom- 
inent in all matters affecting either town or 
county. We regret that owing to Mr. John- 
son's absence from the county during the 
comj)ilation of this volume we are prevented 
from presenting a full biograpln' of him. 

W. P. Francis, whose first settlement in 
Steele Countv dates Julv 1, 1857, is a native 



306 



HI8TORY OK STEELE COUNTY. 



of Wyoming County, N. Y., where he 
was born May 18, 1827. His ])arents. Al- 
fred and Nancy (Deminiij Francis, remained 
in the Empire State until ISiS, when they 
moved to Wisconsin and located in Wal- 
worth County, later moved to Kock County, 
where Mr. Francis Sr. died in ISotJ. In 
June, 1857, W. P. F)'ancis, in company with 
his brother A. B., his sister Ellen M., and 
James Dreraer and family (a brother-in-law) 
started for Steele County, Minn., arriv- 
ing July 4:, 1857, as stated. Their convey- 
ance was a novel affair: a covered wagon 
with a bo.K 8 feet wide and 10 feet long — a 
small house on wheels. In this they had a 
stove, table, and all necessary- utensils to 
make it convenient. The trip consumed 
three weeks. Upon the arrival of the little 
party, Mr. Francis entered the mercan- 
tile trade, which he carried on for some 
time, then went to farming, and has followed 
this ever since. Mr. Francis on the 2d of 
July, 1863, was united in marriage to Miss 
Celia Fredenburg. They are the parents of 
two children, Anna F., and May A. ]SIr. 
Francis has always taken an active part in 
town and county politics. Has served two 
terms as county commissioner, and was one 
of the first elected under that system. 

W. P. Bissell is a son of Albert and 
Adeline (Bishop) Bissell. He is a native of 
Connecticut, and in this State received his 
early education. At the age of fourteen 
years he started for himself, entering a store 
as salesman at Hartford, which position he 
held for two years; after which he went to 
Farmington, where he remained about two 
years. The western fever then seizing him, 
he started for Minnesota, arriving at Med- 
ford in November, 1856. Here he worked 
by the month until the war broke out, when 
in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 
Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, under 
Col. J. H. Baker. During the summer of 
1863 he was with Gen. Sibley's expedition 
asrainst the Indians, and was as far west as 
Bismarck, Dakota. In the fall he returned 



and joined the regular army, and served 
three years, participating in the following 
battles : Tupello, Nashville, and siege of 
Spanish Fort. He received his discharge 
July 10, 1865, and returned to Steele County. 
This j'ear he was united in marriage to Miss 
Almira Stebbins. He then entered the 
hotel business and i-emained in that a few 
years, aftei' which he started a general store, 
which he ran for some time, then sold and 
purchased a farm. In 1880 he entei'eil the 
lumber trade, and is now engaged in this 
line, also handling live stock in connection. 
Mrs. Bissell died in 1878. 

S. Gillman, a native of Oswego County, 
N. Y., was born November 29, 1817. April 
3, 1854, he made a claim in what is now 
Walcott, Rice County, Minn., and remained 
thei'e for twentj'-one yeai'S, when he moved 
to the village of Medford, Steele County. 
For three years he was engaged in a mail 
and j)assenger route, after which he opened 
a grocery store in the village, and is still in 
this line doing a good and growing business. 
In 1841: Mr. Gillman was united in mai'i'iage 
to Miss Flmily Letson, also a native of New 
York. The}' had born to them four 
children : Mary Jane, now Mrs. J. W. Loth- 
ian, of Spencer, Iowa; Nancy, a school- 
teacher ; Emma, now ]\Ii's. R. F. Strong, of 
Spencer, Iowa, and John E., also a )-esident 
of Spencer. Mrs. Gillman died October 17, 
1868, and in October, 1870, Mr. Gillman was 
married to Mrs. Mary A. Wilson. Mr. (Till- 
man's j)arents are both dead. The mother 
died in 1872; the father in August, 1875, at 
the age of ninety -one years. Politically, 
Mr. (Tillman is a Republican. 

S. M. Freeman, son of Ebenezer and Lucy 
(White) Freeman, is a native of Kennebec 
County, Me., and in that State spent his 
early life. April 1, 1855. he came to Steele 
County, Minn., in company with his brother, 
B. A. Freeman. S. M. made a claim in Med- 
ford Township. In August, 1862, he en- 
listed in Company A, Tenth Minnesota Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and servetl three \'ears, re- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



307 



ceiving liis discharge September 24, 1864, 
after wliich he returned to Steele County, 
and in 18(56 came to the village of Medt'ord, 
wiiere he has I'emained most of tlie time, be- 
ing engaged in the grocery trade. April 14, 
1886, was appointed postmaster, which office 
he now holds. He has always Ijeen a stanch 
Democrat, voting the straight ticket. Mr. 
Freeman has been twice married — first to 
Miss Bettie Drake in 1871. They had born 
to them two children, Fred and Roger. Mrs. 
Freeman died FeV)raary 14, 187l>. Mr. Free- 
man was again marrieil in September, 1881, 
to Miss Ella Boynton, and by this union 
they have been blessed with one child, Floid, 
born in May, 1883. 

John Barney, a native of New York, was 
born in Erie County, at the town of Collins, 
December !l, 1824. His parents, George and 
Rhoda M. (Luther) Barney, were natives of 
Massachusetts. They came to the Empire 
State in 1824, and in 1840 moved to Wis- 
consin. In 1848 thej' returned to New 
York, and in 1880 made a trip west, locating 
in Iowa, where Mr. Barney Sr. died, Septem- 
ber 5, 1882. John Barney lived with his 
parents until twenty-one years of age, when 
he started for himself and engaged at farm- 
ing for some four years in Wisconsin. He 
then returned to New York State and re- 
mained until 1854. when he again settled in 
Wisconsin. In 1856 started for Minnesota 
and landed in Medford June 15, 1856, travel- 
ing from Prairie du Chien to Medford with 
an ox team, and being ten days on the road. 
Soon after his arrival he made a claim on 
section 7 in Medford Township, and on this 
he remained until 1871, when he sold and 
moved into the village, where he has since 
lived. Mr. Barnej^ was married August 23, 
1848, to Abigal Allen. They are the parents 
of five children : George W., who was mar- 
ried in 1875 and now lives in Roberts County, 
Dak. ; Manley H., married in 1876 and 
now lives in Minneapolis ; Hattie, now Mrs. 
Gibson, was mai-ried in 1878 and lives in 
Deerfield Township, Steele County ; Minna, 



now Mrs. Charles Johnson, married Decem- 
ber 25, 1886, and lives in Minneapolis ; and 
Milton, who lives in Nelson County, D. T. 
]\Ir. Barne}' enlisted in 1863 in Company A, 
Tenth Minnesota, and during that summer 
was with Sibley's expedition, and went as far 
west in Dakota as the Missouri River. In 
the fall he returned and went south, partici- 
pating in the battles of Nashville and Span- 
ish Fort. He received his discharge at Fort 
Snelling in September, 1865, and returned to 
the old homestead. 

D. S. Riper, a native of Sanbornton, N. 
II., was born September 30, 1833. His 
parents, Daniel and Nancy Piper, were both 
natives of the same State, and their family 
consisted of three children : Abbie K., Mary 
H. and Daniel S. The latter was with his 
father in business until he was thirty-six 
years of age, when in 1869 his father died. 
Daniel S. then carried on the business alone 
until he came west in 1877. He first settled 
in Medford Township and has made this his 
home. Since coming west he has not entered 
into active business, but has lived more of a 
retired life. Mr. Piper's marriage dates De- 
cember 2, 1862, when he was united to Miss 
Livona M. Whitney. They have had boim to 
them one child a daughter, Myra A., born 
November 16, 1873. 

G. C. Moon was born in Erie County, N. 
Y., in 1831. He lived with his parents, 
Daniel and Nancy (Northup) Moon, until 
eighteen years of age, when he went to Buf- 
falo, and renniined in that city for about four 
years. He then went to Evansville, Wis., and 
remained there one year, after which he came 
to Minnesota, locating in the town of Summit. 
Steele County, about the 30th of May, 1857, 
He made a claim on section 29, on which 
he lived until 1873, when he moved to 
Owatonuii. In 1874 he came to Medford 
Village, where he has since lived. G. C. Moon 
and Miss Hellen M. Francis were married in 
November, 1861. They have one son, born 
September 3, 1862, He was married in 



308 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



1881 to Miss Louella Standish, and tlie}' are 
now I'esidents oi Montana. 

Jolm IJaily, son of Jolin and Eliza liaily, 
was born in Franklin, N. II., and tliere re- 
mained until the spring of 1855, when he 
came west and located in AV'^aseca Connty. 
He was one of tlie proprietors of tlie town- 
site of St. Mary, which made a strong fight 
for the county-seat of that county. In that 
place he remained until September, 18fi2, 
when he moved to Faribault, and later 
to the village of East Prairie, remaining at 
the latter place until 1865, when he came to 
Med ford and entered into the general mer- 
chandise trade, and has since remained in 
the same line. In A]iril, 187fi, he was ap- 
pointed postmaster and held that office about 
ten years. Mr. Baily was married March 24, 
1858. when at St. Mary's, to Miss Elizabeth 
Erwin. They are the ]jarents of three chil- 
dren : Emily E., born February 2, 1859 ; Will- 
iam A., born May 28, 1860; Arthur S., born 
July 21, 1864. Emily E. was married to 
George O. Lee, I'ebruary 14, 1877. They live 
in Medford. William A. married Ella Mc- 
Nitt, December 15, 1SS2. Arthur S. is at 
home, and, with his brother William, is in 
partnership with the father in the mercan- 
tile trade. 

Alexander Gault is a native of Norton 
Creek, Canada East, born in that province 
January 1, 1848. When but twelve years of 
age Mr. Gault started in life for himself ; 
first engaged on a farm and remained in this 
capacity for about three years. At the age 
of seventeen he went to Missouri and worked 
on the Hannibal & St. Joe R. E., for one 
year. He then worked on a steamboat for 
a time. In the fall of 1865 in comjjany with 
others he went to Mississippi Island No. 63 
and there remained eighteen months. He was 
at this place during the cholera reign of 
1866, but fortunately only one of the party 
died from the dread disease. In the sjiring 
of 1867 he went to St. Louis and was en- 
gaged with the Iron Mountain R. R. Co.; 
later worked on a farm and remained at this 



until 1868, when lie went to work for the Chi- 
cago. Milwaukee it St. Paul R. R. Co. The 
year following (June 19) lie had his leg run 
over and so badly injui'ed that amputation 
was necessary. After this sad misfortune 
and as soon as he was al)le to l)e about, he 
began to learn the art of telegraphy and after 
this was accomplished was given Blooming 
Prairie, Steele (Jounty, as his first station. 
After this he was at various other offices until 
April 25, 1871, when he came to Medford 
and has since been in this station. In 1876 
he began buying grain, in which he still 
deals. He was married September 12, 1877. 

C. Freeman is another leading citizen of 
Medford, who has for a number of years 
been })rominently connected with the busi- 
ness interests of this part of the county. 

Orrin Lee, Esq., was one of the pioneers 
of Minnesota. He is a native of Tolland 
County, Conn., born June 2, 1821, his par- 
ents being William and Elizabeth (Harding) 
Lee. His grandfather was Xatlian Lee, who 
spent his life in Connecticut. His father, 
William, lived in Connecticut until he had 
reached the age of sixty-one years, when he 
removed to Rock Island Connty, 111., where 
he died in 1885. Orrin Lee, the subject of 
this sketch, left home when eighteen years 
old and engaged in the manufacturing busi- 
ness. In 1852 he came west and "took up" 
government land in Lee County. III. Early 
in 1855 he again resumed his westward 
march, coming by boat and team, and, in 
April, 1855, landed at Hastings, in Minne- 
sota. Three days after his arrival there, he 
pushed on with teams to F^aribault, accom- 
panied all this time bj' his family. In Rice 
County he selected a ])iece of government 
land, about four miles from the city of 
Faribault. Their nearest neighbor was two 
and a half miles distant. Here they re- 
mained for eight years, when Mr. Lee sold 
out and returned to Illinois. A short time 
later, however, he retraced his ste))S to Min- 
nesota, and arrived at Medford, in Steele 
County, in 1863, where he has since lived. 



IIISTOET OF STEELE COUNTY. 



309 



A short time after his settlement here he 
was elected justice of the peace and has 
held the office ever since, attending to about 
all of the legal business of the northern part 
of Steele County. He has also taken an act- 
ive interest in educational matters during 
all the _years of his residence here. In pol- 
itical matters he is a " straight Republican." 



Mr. Lee was married October 24, 1847, to Miss 
Laura CobI). They have two living children : 
Frances M. and George O. Frances married 
Cyrus L. Osborn, and they live in Taylor 
County, Iowa. George O. mari'ied Miss 
Emily E. Baily, February 14, 1877, and they 
live in Medford. 




CHAPTER XXI. 




CLINTOX FALLS TOWNSHIP. 



j LINTON Falls Township embraces 
the south half of township 108, 
range 20, Avest of the fifth prin- 
cipal meridian. Medford Town- 
ship lies contiguous on the north, 
Merton joins it on the east, while 
on tlie south and west it is bound- 
ed respectively by Owatonna 
and Deerheld Townships. Straight 
River crosses the township from 
south to north, passing through 
very near the center east and 
west, while Crane Creek touches the north- 
west corner of the township on its way 
to its junction with the Straight River at 
Medford. The river is skirted by a mod- 
eratel}' heavy growth of timber — an 
abundance to supply the township with 
material for fuel and fencing for centuries. 
Back from the river the surface varies, occa- 
sionally oak openings and again beautifull3' 
rolling prairie. The soil is rich and ]U'oduct- 
ive, and Clinton P^alls Township is the home 
of many of the wealthy and most prosperous 
citizens of the county. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement within the present 
limits of Clinton Falls Townsliip was made 
by A. W. and F. F. Adams, in 1854, on sec- 
tions 28 and 33, where, in November of that 
year, A. W. Adams erected the first log cabin 
in the township. In the preceding spring 
(1854) Dr. Fincli, W. W. Arnold and James 
Huginan had been here and selected claims, 
but they at once returned to St. Paul. Messrs. 
Adams first came in August, l)ut returned to 
St. Paul and did not get back here until in 
November, Section lines were surveyed in 



Septenil)er of tliat year. A. W. Adams still 
lives upon the section where he first settled. 

The other settlers who came during the 
same fail (1854) wei-e as follows: Francis F- 
Adams settled on section 28, where he lived 
for thi'ec or four \'ears, and then returned to 
Massachusetts, where lie still lives. W. W. 
Arnold came, selected a claim, and is still a 
citizen. I). Sanl)orn took a claim on section 
21, and lived there for a number of years, tak- 
ingan active part in public matters. He moved 
from this township to Medford, juid from 
there to Owatonna, wliere he lived until the 
time of his death in 1885. F. Wilbur Fisk 
also came in 1854 and claimed government 
land on sections 23 and 24, where he laid out 
a village called " Elwood," platting the south- 
west quarter of the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 24. Mr. Fisk was a well known charac- 
ter in early times. He remainetl in the county 
until the time of his ileath, which occurred 
at Medford. 

In the spring of 1855 there were a num- 
ber of arrivals, among them being the fol- 
lowing: F. L. Judd selected a claim on sec- 
tion 33, built his cabin and returned to Ohio 
in the fall of 1855 ; there he was married, 
and the following year he brought his wife 
to his Western home. He remained in the 
township until the fall of 1859, when he re- 
turned to Ohio. 

Fletcher Du Bois selected a claim in the 
timber on section 27, but afterward traded 
with Judd for a prairie farm on section 32, 
where he liveil until the time of his death, 
which occurred three or four j^eai'S later. 
His remains were taken back to his foi'mer 
home in the State of New York. 

Samuel and Isaac Morrison took up their 



31U 



HISTOKY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



311 



claims in the western part of the townshijj, 
and are still residents. Their father, Daniel 
Morrison, came in the fall of the same year 
with his wife and familj'. He died the fol- 
lowing spring (1856), this being the first 
death in the township. His remains were 
interred in the cemetery at Clinton Falls. 

Sylvester McNitt came in 1855, and 
located on section 21. He remained here 
for many yeare and finally removed to 
Owatonna, where he still lives. 

K. R. Stout settled on section 21 in 1855, 
and remained there untd the fall of 1885, 
when he returned to his former home in 
Indiana, where he now lives. 

In May, 1856, Rev. O. A. Thomas took 
a claim and settled on section 20. He re- 
mained there some eight or nine years and 
then returned to Michigan, but later went to 
the Pacific coast. He was a Congregational 
preacher, and an able and prominent man 
in early days. 

The settlement was rapid all through 1856 ; 
among others who came were : James Finch 
and family, William, Samuel and Nathan 
Williamson, Charles Deming and Moses 
Hutchinson. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first building in the township was A. 
W. Adams' log cabin, erected in November, 
1854. 

The first frame building was erected by 
William Williamson in 1856. 

The first birth in this townsliij) was also 
one of the first births in Steele County. It 
occurred April 7, 1855, and was Frank W. 
Adams who now lives on section ^i-', Clinton 
Falls Township, a son of A. W. Adams, the 
first settler of the township. 

The first marriage in the townshij) — and 
in the county— was that of William William- 
son to Lucretia Finch. The ceremony was 
performed by Elder O. A. Thomas, at the 
house of James Finch, the event taking- 
place in the fall of 1856. 

The hrst death in the township was that 
of Daniel Morrison, which occurred in March, 



1856. He was buried in the cemetery at 
Clinton Falls. 

A. W. Adams broke the first ground in 
the township. 

VILLAtiE OF CLINTON FALLS. 

The village of Clinton Falls was laid out 
in the fall of 1855 by Dr. W. W. Finch. In 
the village plat a block was platted as a 
cemetery, free to every one. It was notlaitl 
out in lots until after Dr. Finch left. In 
1882 the Oak Hill Cemetery Association 
was formed and Dr. Finch deeded the block 
to them and it was then platted into lots. 
This was the first cemeter}' in the county. 
The first burial in it was of the remains of 
Daniel Morrison, who died in March, 1855. 
His widow, Phoebe, died the following June, 
and was interred in the same cemetery. 

A postofiice was established here in the 
fall of 1856, with James Finch as postmas- 
ter. The postmasters since tliat time have 
been as follows: Di-. Finch, S. Houston, and 
G. W. Knapp. The last n;imed is the pres- 
ent postmaster. 

The first frame house in the village was 
erected bv Moses Hutchinson in the fall of 
1856. 

The first and only hotel ever established 
here, was started by C. M. Williamson and 
T. Burns, in the summer of 1857. It was 
run bv them for some time and was known 
as the Clinton House. 

The first religious society organized here 
was the Medford and Clinton Congregation- 
al Society, which was- oi-ganized by Rev. O. 
A. Thomas. 

The first store at Clinton Falls was starteil 
by Cyrus Williamson in 1857, with a small 
stock of gi-oceries and notions. In 1861 
Judge Gi-een \vent to Milwaukee and secured 
what was then considered a large stock of 
goods, which was hauled to this place by 
teams from La Crosse, that being the nearest 
railway point. Later the store was owned 
by Dr. Finch, and on the 1st of July, 1873, 
it was purchaseil by G. W. Knapp, who has 
continued it ever since, it being the only 
store in the village. 



312 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



In 1856 Dr. Fincli commenced building a 
dam across Straight River, for the purpose 
of securing sufficient water-power to operate 
mill nuichinery, but one-half interest was to 
belong to the Williamson Brothers, who 
were to build a gristmill, and Dr. Finch a 
sawmill, the gristmill to be completed 
within a year. When the sawmill was put 
into operation James Finch had a leg broken 
by a log I'oiling upon him. The Messrs. 
AVilliams(jn failing to get their gristmill 
completed early enough, Dr. Finch sent to 
Chicago and procured a set of small burrs, 
or what was called a "portable mill." and 
put it in operation in his sawmill. This was 
the first gristmill in this county. It was 
truly a Godsend to the settlers, who had 
frequently lieen under the necessity of re- 
sorting to their coffee mills to manufacture 
their meal for l)i'<>ii(l. Wheat thus ground 
was very apjiropriatel}' called meal, as it 
could not be reduced fine enough to be called 
flour. Settlers used to come here from a 
distance of forty or fifty miles. Williamson 
Brothers pushed their work on their grist- 
mill and in 1857 lIon.G. W.Green purchased 
an interest, and later the whole mill, and it 
was pushed forward to completion under the 
superintendence of Moses Hutchinson, the 
onl}^ practical millwright this section of the 
countr\' then afforded. D. II. Morrison was 
established as miller. Judge Green became 
sole proprietor and continued to operate the 
mill for many years. . He sold to Van Kirk 
efe Coburn, who operated it some four or five 
years; they sold out to Sherman, Winship 
& Kelly. The mill still stands, but, at the 
present time, is only used as a feedmill. 
Mr. Green jnurhased the sawmill in 1863. 

A division of the Sons of Temjierance was 
organized here in the summer of 1876, a 
chartei- being granted on the 27th of Decem- 
ber, 1876. The chaiter members were Frank 
W. Sherman, Ella Boynton. Annie McCart- 
ney, Matie Brown, Matie Green, Nellie 
Knapp, Susan Larson, E. A. Shadick, M. 
Shadick, C. C. Finch, F. H. Church, F. E 



Green, W. H. Bo^mton and Thomas GriflHn. 
The organization was enthusiastically main- 
tained for some time, and was very success- 
ful, as at one time there were twenty-two 
prohil)ition votes polled in the township. Af- 
ter a time, however, the interest flagged 
and it was finally abandoned. 

TOWNSHIP OEGAHIZATION. 

When Steele County was organized, in the 
summer of 1855. the territory which now 
forms Clinton Falls Township became a part 
of Owatonna township, which then embraced 
all of townships 105-6-7-8, and in ranges 
2(1 and 21. This arrangement was made on 
the 1st of August, 1855. On the 25th of the 
same month, however, Medford Township 
was created, including township 108, ranges 
20 and 21, thus including what is now Clin- 
ton Falls. On the 7th of April, 1856, the 
township of Franklin was created and it ap- 
pears from the records that this embraced 
the east half of what is now Medford and 
Clinton Falls. This is claimed to be a mis- 
take, yet the records so show it. 

On the 6th of April, 1857, a rearrangement 
of the county took place, and township 108, 
range 21, was set off as Medford. It remained 
in this shape until the 6th of April, 1858, 
when Clinton Falls Township was created, 
embracing the south half of township 108, 
range 20, the same territory which it now in- 
cludes. 

The organization of the township was per- 
fected on the 11th of May, 1858, when the 
first town meeting was held at the " Clinton 
House," and a full list of township officers 
was elected as follows : Supervisors — 
George W. Gi'een, chairman, E. E. Stout 
and A. W. Adams; clerk, Geo. E. Rex; as- 
sessor, B. L. Deming; collector, Charles M. 
Williamson ; overseer of the poor, S. Mc- 
Nitt; justices of the peace, D. Sanborn and 
F. W. Fisk ; constable, W. Barnhardt. 

Among others who in early days were 
prominent in township matters were: W. W. 
Finch, J. W. Morrison, N. Parker, D. S. Kim- 



HI8T0KY OF STEELE COCTNIT. 



313 



ball, J. M. Finch, G. W. Knapp, C. M. Hous. 
ton, David IIoAve, T. B. Cimse and A. C. 
Finch. 

In 1867 the people voted to l)uild a sub- 
stantial bridge across Straight River, and 
raised by tax $2,000, and the county giving 
$1,000, a covered bridge was erected with 
solid abutments spanning tlie entire width of 
the river. 

The following is a list of the present of- 
ficers of the township elected in March, 18S7 : 
Supervisors — F. W. Adams, ciiairman, J. F. 
Carter and R. W. Cheesenian ; town clerk, 
A. C. Finch; treasurer, G. W. Knapp; asses- 
sor, E. G. Adams ; justices of the peace, A. 
Samson and O. L. Knapp ; constables, G. 
McCloud a7id N. Parker. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school at Clinton Falls was 
taught in the summer of ISoti, in a board 
shanty on the farm of Dr. Finch, by Mary 
Morrison, afterward Mrs. Charles "Williamson. 

The first frame schoolhouse in the town- 
ship was erected in the village in the spring 
of 1857, and was built by subscription. The 
lot which it occupied was donated by Dr. 
Finch, on condition that it was alwaA^s to be 
open for religious services and moral enter- 
tainments. In the spring of 1S<).5 an addition 
was made to the schoolhouse in Clinton Falls 
Village, and O. T. Otis, of Wisconsin, was 
engaged to teach a high school liere. It was 
very successful ; scholars attended from all 
parts of the county, and for sevei'al years it 
was the most advanced and thorough edu- 
cational institution in the county; but after 
the high schools in Owatonna were estab- 
lished this again became a common school. 

The first schoolhouse in district No. 3 was 
a log building erected in the spring of 1857. 
The first school in it was taugiit by Miss 
Frances Atwater, now Mrs. Charles Strong. 
The present schoolhouse in this district was 
erected in the spring of 1870, at a cost of 
$1,020. The first teacher in this building 
was Fi'ed. Tuttle. 



The first school taught in district No. 3 
was in the house of S. McNitt in 1855 (or 
1856), Mrs. F. W. Fisk being the teachei'. 

The schoolhouse in district No. 18 is lo- 
cated on section 31. The district was organ- 
ized in 1876, and the scliool building was 
erected during the same season at a cost of 
about $300. The first teaclier in the district 
was Miss Mary Cole. The last term of school 
(1887) was taught by Miss Lizzie Adams. 

School district No. (>6 was organized in 
1868. The first school in the district was 
held in an old log claim shanty, on section 
33, which had been erected by F. Judd. 
The first teacher was May Smith. The pres- 
ent schoolhouse, which is located on section 
32, was erected in 1870 at the cost of $500. 
The first teacher in this house was Ella San- 
born, the last (1887) was Frank Buffum. 

lilOGBAPHIES 01'' REPKESENTATIVK CITIZENS. 

A. W. Adams is one of the pioneer settlers 
of Clinton Falls Township. He was born in 
Worcester County, Mass., October 28, 1826. 
He hved with his parents until the age of 
twenty-five years, and then came west to 
St. Paul, Minn., where for two years he 
worked at the mason's trade. In August, 
1854, he came to Steele County and selected 
160 acres of government land on sections 33 
and 3-1, township 108, range 20. now in the 
toAvn of Clinton Falls. In November he se- 
cured an ox team, drove to his claim and 
erected a log cabin. His wife joined him in 
February, 1855. and they lived in this cabin 
until 1862, when they moved into anew house, 
which was built of stone from his own 
quarry. Mr. Adams was married in May, 
185-t, to Miss Emma Tilton. They have five 
children, as follows : Frank West, born 
April 7, 1855; Fred. Tilton, born November 
30, 1856; John G.. born August 12, 1858: 
Edward G., born February 17, 1862 ; Lizzie 
A., born July 13, 1865, and George F., born 
March 13. 1871. Theii- eldest son, Frank 
West Adams, was the second white child 
born m Steele County, and is the oldest 



3U 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



native of Steele County now living. G. "W. 
Green hail a son born a few hours previous, 
but he is now dead. Frank W. Adams was 
married October '4, 1SS2, to Anna M. liogers, 
and the\' live upon a farm adjoining his fath- 
er's. All of Mr. Adams' children are still 
living, except John G., who died October 1-1. 
1859. 

"W. W. Arnold was one of the earliest set- 
tlers in Clinton Falls Township. He was 
born in Oswego County, N. Y., in 1832, his 
parents being Samuel and Katherina (Hu- 
ganin) Arnold. lie lived with his parents 
until twenty-one years of age, when he came 
west to St. Paul, Minn., and from there, in 
the fall of 1854, came to what is now sec- 
tion 28, Clinton Falls Township, Steele 
County. He spent several years with ex- 
ploring expeditions and government survey- 
ors, and later went to Oberlin College, Ohio, 
where he remained until the war broke out 
Enlisting then, in the Seventh Ohio Volun- 
teers, he went into service, participating 
in many important engagements, but 
coming out without a wound. After his 
discharge he went to Hillsdale College, in 
Michigan, and tliere on the 17th of October, 
186i, was married to Miss Susanna Gossard. 
They have one child, born July 18, 1876. 
Mr. Arnold now has 250 acres of land, most 
of which is under a, liigh state of cultivation. 
He is one of th(; sul>stantial citizens of the 
county. 

David Lindersmitii, one of tiie pioneers of 
Steele County, is a- native of Columbiana 
County, Ohio. His grandfather, Joseph 
Lindersmitii, came to America in 1772 or 
1773, when eleven years old, and was bound 
f)Ut as an apprentice to learn the carpenter's 
trade. He served as a lifer in the Revolution- 
ary War; also followed barbering, and fre- 
quentlv shaved George "Washington during 
those years. After the close of the war he 
settled in Somerset County, Pa., and in 
ISO-t removed, witii his wife and five child- 
ren, to Columbiana County. Ohio, where he 
died in 1817. Peter Lindersmith, the father 



of David, was a son of Joseph, and at an 
early day took government land in the town 
of Hanover, Columbiana County, Ohio. He 
served as a fifer under Gen. Harrison in the 
war of 1812. His wife was formerly Susan 
Ehrhart, and they had children, as follows : 
Elizabeth, Daniel, Julia. Ann, David, Cather- 
ina, William and Isaac. David Lindersmith, 
the subject of this sketch, lived with his 
parents until twenty-five years of age, then 
went to Washington County, Ohio, where he 
remained until the spi-ing of 1850. He then 
settled in Williams County, Ohio, and re- 
mained until the 2d of April, 1855, when he 
started for Minnesota with an ox team, 
bringing his wife and four children, the 
youngest being only six weeks old. They 
arrived at what is now Owatonna city, on 
the 19th of May, having been some seven 
week's on tlie way. Upon their arrival Mr. 
Lindersmith secured the top of another 
wagon, and by placing the two together on 
logs lived in this until the 1st of July, when 
the_y moved into their log cabin, using rugs 
for doors and windows. Thus they got 
along until a trip could be made to Hastings 
for the necessary articles. In the early part of 
lS5ti Mr. Lindersmith was appointed by the 
board of county commissioners as assessor 
for nine townships, in what is now Steele 
and Waseca counties. In November, 1856, 
he was elected sheriff of the county and 
served for two years. In September, 1857, 
he collected from William Thomson the first 
taxes paid in Steele County, the amount 
beino- $6. In 1870 he moved to section 
28, in the town of Clinton Falls, where 
he has since lived. Mr. Lindersmith was 
married in Carroll County, Ohio, in 1848, to 
Miss Catherine Simmons. The}' have six 
livingchildrcn: Orlando, Anjeline, Elizabeth, 
Asnes, Stiles and Emma. Orlando is men- 
tioned at length elsewhere. Anjeline mar- 
ried Mr. lloadley, a second cousin of Gov. 
Hoadley, of Ohio, and they live in Dakota. 
Elizabeth married William Putney, a resi- 
dent of the town of Clinton Falls. Agnes 



HISTORY OK STEELE COUUTV. 



316 



inarried M. Jepson, a resident of Dakota. 
Stiles is a traveling man, and Emma is now 
Mrs. Thomas Burns, of Windom, Minn. 

Orlando Lindersmith came to Steele Coun- 
ty, Minn., in May, 1855, witli his parents, 
being then only eleven years of age. He 
lived at home until October, 18G1, when he 
enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer 
Infantry for three-years' term, and upon the 
expiration of his term of service reenlisted 
at Huntsville, Ala., January 1, 1S64, and 
served until the close of the war, receiving 
his discharge at St. Paul, August 7, 1805. 
Among the many battles which he partici- 
pated in were the following : luka, Miss., 
September 19, 1862 ; Willow Springs, Miss., 
May 3, 1863; Raymond, Miss., May 12, 
1863; Jackson, Miss., May U, 1863; Cham, 
pion Hills. Miss., May 16. 1863; he was at 
the siege of Vicksburg for forty-seven days, 
and was at Missionar}' Ridge, November 23, 
24, 25, 1863. He was wounded at his first 
battle, being shot through the leg, and again 
at Vicksburg. He was with Sherman in his 
famous " march to the sea," and was at the 
battle of Altoona, where Sherman signaled 
the besieged to " Hold the Fort ; I am com- 
ing," which was the origin of P. P. Bliss's 
noted song — Bliss being a private soldier in 
the fort at the time. After Orlando received 
his discharge he returned home and at- 
tended school during the followino- winter 
In the spring of 1867 he bought his first 
land on section 28, Clinton Falls Township, 
where he has since lived, increasing his farm 
until he now has 180 acres of land, on which 
is a part of the Clinton Falls stone quarries. 
When Mr. Lindersmith first bought an inter- 
est in the stone quarries the other owners 
were David Lindersmith, A. B. Cornell, R. 
Sanborn and Mr. Ellis. In 1882 Orlando 
Lindersmith acquired the whole property. 
During the present summer (1887) he has 
employed twelve men, and taken out about 
1,100 cords of stone. Mr. Lindei-smith was 
married July 13, 1872, to Miss Ellen Thom- 
son. They have seven children, as follows: 



Everett E., David li., Horold IL, Albert E.. 
Mary A., Samuel M. and Arthur. 

John T. Carter is a native of New York 
State, born in November, 1839. His fatiier, 
George Carter, was a native of London, Eng- 
land, and came to the United States in about 
1835, settling in New York State. In 1850 
they came Avest to Wisconsin, where thev 
remained until 1856, when they came to 
Steele County, Minn., and settlecl on section 
36, in .the town of Clinton Falls. The father 
died there in the fall of 1869. The mother, 
who was formerly Margaret Henderson, is 
still living with her son, John T. Carter, in 
this township. George and Elizabeth Carter 
had a family of eleven children, seven of 
whom are still living, as follows : John T., 
George, Charles, Augustus, Wellington, Char- 
lotte and Matilda. Four of them are livino- 
in Steele Count\\ 

John T.Carter cast his first vote for Presi- 
dent Lincoln. On the 16th of September, 
1861, he enlisted in the Second Minnesota 
A^olunteer Infantry, and partici})ated in the 
battles of Mill Springs, Chickamauga, Mission 
Ridge, and so on, with Sherman's army, un- 
til the fall of Atlanta. He did not receive a 
wound, and was honorably discharged No- 
vember 16, 1864. He then returned to Steele 
County and lived at Owatonna for four 
years. In 1868 he moved to his present 
farm, and has since been engaged in farming 
and stock-raising. He was married Novem- 
ber 29, 1868, to Miss Josephine P'isher. They 
have four children : Lillie A., Ella J., A. M. 
and Arthur J. Mr. Carter has been a prom- 
inent man in all townshij) and educational 
matters, and has held many offices of a local 
chai-acter. 

James Finch, deceased, came to Steele 
County, Minn., in 1856, and selected govern- 
ment land on sections 2S and 29 in what is 
now the town of Clinton Falls, where he 
lived until the time of his death, December 
25, 1873. He took a prominent part in all 
public matters and was well and favorably 
known throughout the county. He was 



316 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTT . 



county surveyor for a number of years, and 
when the postoffice at Chnton Falls was es- 
tablished, in the fall of 1856, he was appointed 
postmaster. The first marriaoe in Steele 
County took place at his house, the contract- 
ing parties being his daughter Lucretia and 
William Williamson. Mr. Finch's name ap- 
pears very frequently through these })ages. 

Cyrus Finch is a son of James and Minerva 
Finch, and was onl}' nine years of age wlien 
they settled in Steele County, in 185G. He 
remained at home until the fall of 1868, when 
ho went to Mower Countj' and taught school 
for a year. In tlie spring of 1869 he was 
married to Miss Martha Huston, and the 
same season went West on a prospecting 
tour. In 1871 lie went to Cottonwood 
County ajid located in Windom Townsliip. 
In the fall of 1873. on account of his father's 
failing health, he returned and has since oc- 
cupied the original homestead. In |)o]itical 
matters Mr. Finch is a Republican. He has 
taken an active part in public affairs, having 
held the office of county commissioner for 
three years. Mr. and Mrs. Finch have three 
children, Maud, Blanch and Walter. 

Fyler D. Finch is also a son of James and 
Minerva Finch. He was born in Clinton 
County, N. Y., in May, 1843, and was, there- 
fore, thirteen years of age when his parents 
located in Steele Count3^ He remained 
with his parents until eighteen years old, 
when he began driving on the Burljank 
stage line, his route being chiefly between 
Owatonna and Faribault, and remained in 
that work for five years. He then for two 
seasons had ciiarge of tiie Clinton Falls saw- 
mills, and since that time has been engaged 
at carpenter work and other pursuits. Mi-. 
Finch was married August 9, 1863, to Miss 
Annie McCormick. They had two children : 
George W. and Minnie. George W. mai'- 
ried Miss Nettie Trace}' and now lives in 
thistownship. Minnie married FrankChurch. 
She died August 18, 1887, leaving a little 
girl, Frankie, and was buried in the Owa- 
tonna cemetery by the side of her husband, 



whose death occurred a few months pre- 
vious. Mrs. Finch died in March, 1868. Mr. 
Finch was again married, in April, 1870, to 
Miss Amelia Peavey. They have two boys : 
Arthui', born August 9, 1871. and Ernest, 
born May 12, 1875. 

A. J. Abbott, one of the prominent stock- 
raisers of Steele County, is a son of William 
and Lois (Sawyer) Abbott. He was born 
at Sanbornton, Belknap County, N. H., May 
10, 1829. He lived with his parents until 
April, 1857, when he came to Steele County, 
Minn., and, in the fall of that year, settled 
upon liis ])i'esent farm on section 29, Clinton 
Falls Township. He remained there imtil 
December, 18(il, when he moved to Fari- 
bault, and engaged in the l)utchering busi- 
ness. In the spring of 1866 he settled in 
Medford Village, and remained there uiitd 
1876, when he again located upon his farm, 
where he has since lived. He devotes his at- 
tention chieflj' to raising stock, and now has 
one of the finest herds of cattle in the State. 
Mr. Abbott was married April 18, 1853, to 
Miss Mary H. Pijier. who was born March 5 
1830. Nine children have been born to 
them, as follows : Mary H., born Mai'ch 9, 
1851 ; Ellen N., born October 21, 1855 ; Katie 
A., boi'n August 28,1857; William D., born 
July 13, 1859; Asa J., born September 12, 
1861; Tinnie, born September 26, 1863; 
Lillian, born November 21, 1868, and Emma 
and Ella (twins), born August 23, 1871. All 
are living except three : Tinnie died October 
18, 1865; Ella died September 17, 1872. 
and Emma died October 10, 1872, 

John Virtue was boi-n in Ireland in 1833. 
He first landed in America in the spring of 
1852 and settled in Cohunbia County, N. Y. 
He remained there until the spring of 1859, 
when he came west to Steele County, Minn., 
and locnted on sections 23 and 24 in the town 
of Clinton Falls, where he has since lived, 
carrying on general farming and stock-rais- 
ing on an extensive scale. In 1855 he mar- 
ried Mary Dinan, who came west with him. 
They have six children living, as follows- 



HISTORY OF STEKLK COUNTY. 



317 



Dennis E.. born November 28, 1858; Willie 
J., born July IG, 1800; Leonard, born Api'il 
2, 1865 ; Alice, born April 23, 1868 ; Emmett, 
born April 17, 1870, and Emma J., born Au- 
gust 23, 1874. Mr. \^irtue has 780 acres of 
land, making one of the largest and best 
farms in the county. He has taken an active 
part in public affairs, having filled the office 
of county commissioner and many offices of 
a local nature. 

William Gallea was born in Jefferson 
County, X. Y., November 19, 1829. His 
parents were James and PoUey (Beemis) 
Gallea. He lived with his parents until the 
spring of 1859, when he went to Wisconsin, 
where he remained four years, and then, 
in the fall of 1863, came to Steele Count}', 
Minn., and purchased his present farm on 
section 23, town of Clinton Falls. He has 
since lived upon his farm, now having 200 
acres, most of which is under cultivation, and 
devotes considerable attention to raising- 
stock. His early life was spent upon the 
lakes, so that farming was resorted to foi' a 
change. He has been successful and is now 
one of the well-to-do citizens of the county. 
In the spring of 1864 Mr. Gallea enlisted in 
the Second Minnesota Cavalry and remained 
in the service until the close of the war. He 
was married January 25, 1852, before leaving 
New York State, to Miss Policy Gilbert. 
They have had the following children : James 
B., born September 28, 1854 ;WilliamG., born 
November 10, 1856 ; Eliza A., born November 
4, 1860 ; Thomas A., born August 19, 1863 ; 
Bertha M., born November 18, 1866; Carrie 
B., born May 25, 1869 ; George B., born No- 
vember 23, 1872 ; Alice G., born February 22, 
1875; Peter B., born March 8, 1879, and 
Pearl, born January 10, 1880. All of these 
are still living except Peter, who died May 
29, 1879, and Eliza A., who died May 5, 1887. 
The latter had married W. Hanicerson, of 
Medford Township in 1881. 

T. H. Griffin was born in Chenango Coun- 
ty, N. Y., in 1836. He lived with his parents 
until twenty -one years of age, when he started 



in life for himself, following the occupation 
of a farmer until 1864, wlien lie enlisted in a 
Nevv York infantry regiment and entered the 
service. His company was in the front of Pe- 
tersbui'g all througii the winter of 1864-5, 
and was at Appomatox when Lee surrendered 
to Gen. Grant, and he witnessed the stacking 
of arms of Lee's army. On tiie morning of 
President Lincoln's funei'al they were ordered 
to Washington. They passed "grand re- 
view,"' and were among the first regiments to 
be discharged. Mr. Griffin arrived home in 
May, 1865, and in August stalled for Minne- 
sota, arriving here in September of the same 
year. He bought an interest in the Daniel 
Morrison estate on section 20, town of Clinton 
Falls, where he has since lived. He was mar- 
ried December 8, 1859, to Miss Fannie E. 
Brown. Four childi-en have been boi-n to 
them : Mark A., George T.. Sidney J. and 
Emma G. 

O. Eastman was born in Clinton, Kenne- 
bec County, Me., March 28, 1828. He re- 
mained with his parents, Henry and Lydia 
(Quigg) Eastman, until twelve years old 
when he began life for himself. At that 
time he began work for a man named John 
Hern and remained three years. From that 
time he followed various occupations. On 
the 22d of October, 1855, he was married to 
Miss Silvia C. Butler, at Aurora, Hancock 
County, Me. After this he lived in Ken- 
nebec Count}' until the fall of 1863, when he 
came to Steele County Minn., and settled 
at Medford. In the spring of 1866 he " took 
up " eighty acres of government land on sec- 
tion 26, Clinton Falls Township, where he has 
since lived, doing general farming and stock- 
raising. Mr. and Mrs. Eastman have seven 
children, as follows : Ituel S., born Febru- 
ary 19, 1856; Vesta M., born July 17, 1857; 
Yinal IL, born Sejitember 3, 18ii2; Lydia 
M., born May 27, 18()5 ; Robei't M., born 
March 27, 1868; Ambrose B., born Septem- 
ber 16, 1870, and Edna O., born June 22, 
1881. All are living at home except Vesta 
M., who married Nathaniel Paul, of Clinton 



318 



HIStOKY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Falls Towni5hip, Minn., July the 11th, 1877. 
Itichavd and Henry Cheeseman are na- 
tives of England, their jjarents being Eich- 
ard a'nd Maria (Early) Cheeseman. Richard 
was born in London, November 1, 1858. He 
was an engineer's draughtsman until tAvo 
years before coming to America, and was 
then in the employ of the A. W. Faber Pen- 
cil Co. On the 1st of May, 1880, he came to 
the United States and went to farming. A 
year later he purchased a part of their pres- 
ent farm on section 20, Clinton Falls Town- 
ship, and in 18S() added the northwest quar- 
ter of the same section, so their farm now 
comprises 225 aci-es. On the 15th of March, 
1881, Richard was married to Miss Ella F. 
Duncan, a native of Chenango County, X. 
Y. Tliey have the following children : 
Henry, born November 25, 1881 ; Grace, 



born May 21, 1883; Florence, born Decern 
ber 25, 1884, and Asa born August 16, 
1886. Henry Cheeseman was born in Kent 
County, England, April 5, 1861. He served 
an apprenticeship at the stone sculptor's 
trade and worked at it until he joined his 
brother, Richard, in Steele County, Minn., 
in February, 1882. He has since devoted 
his attention to their farm. Their father 
died in London, June 22, 1885. Their mother 
and sister, Sarah A., came from London in 
June, 1886, and are now living with them 
on the farm. 

lion. G. "W. Buffum, the present repre- 
sentative from Steele County in the Legisla- 
ture, is also a prominent citizen of Clinton 
Falls Township. A biographical sketch of 
his life is presented in chapter VIIL 






UUdj 




CHAPTER XXII. 



DEEEFIELD TOWNSHIP. 




EERFIELD forms the northwest 
corner of Steele County, witli Rice 
County on the north and AVaseca 
on the west, while on the east it is 
hounded by the townships of Med- 
ford and Clinton Falls, and on the 
south by Meriden. It embraces 
all of congressional township lOS, 
range 21, west ; a total acreage of 
about 23,040 acres. Its location 
is ver\' favoral^le in an agricul- 
tural point of view, being ten 
miles from the city of Faribault 
and onl\' seven from Owatonna, with the 
village of Medford within three miles, which 
affords a market and freighting facilities. 
The southwest portion of the town finds an 
easy and convenient market at Waseca, so 
that in almost an\^ direction the people maj' 
find a market for all their grain and produce 
at a very short distance from their doors. The 
soil for the most part is a deep clay loam, 
rich and very fertile in the production of all 
the small grains. The population of the 
town is made up of Gernums, Americans and 
Irish, with a few of other nationalities. 
There is a good supply of timber for fuel 
and fencing purposes. In the south part of 
the town is a belt of timber, bordering on 
Crane Creek, of about two miles in width, 
while it is but a short distance to the large 
timber belt of the Cannon and Sti'aight riv- 
ers on the east and north. 

In 1857 the township had a population of 
192 persons; in 1885 this had grown to 863. 

ITEMS REGARDING EARLY SETrLERS AND PROM- 
INENT CITIZENS. 

The first settlement in this township was 
made about the 12th of May, 1855, by Ed- 

19 I 



ward McCartney, who came from Elgin, 111., 
with his family of wife and three children 
and a brothei- of his wife. He located on 
the northwest quarter of section 8 and re- 
mained for al)out two years, when he sold 
out and returned to Illinois. He soon came 
back to Minnesota and located at Morris- 
town, in Rice County, but becoming discon- 
tented went to California, and after spending 
a time in the land of gold returned to Min- 
nesota, sold his projierty and emigrated to 
Cass CJounty, Neb. Other settlers soon fol- 
lowed Mr. McCartney into the town and a 
neighborhood was soon established. Within 
a year or .so later the following named all 
came and selected homes : Andrew Wertz- 
ler, Nicholas Stearns, Conrad Reineke, E. 
Crandall, John and James Condon, E. J. 
Lilly, H. Hodgson, Arthur McMillen, John 
H. Morse, Washington Morse, Charles Birch, 
Mr. Austin, L. Anderson, E. I. Stocker, 
Shephard Moses and others. 

During the Indian outbreak in 1862 
nearly all the citizens left the township for 
safety, but returned within a few days. 

Coni-ad Reinelie was born in the province 
of Hanover, Germany, July 19, 1843. He 
lived there for ten years, then with his 
father and mother and two brothers. Chris- 
tian and Henry, came to the United States, 
landing at New York. They were eight 
weeks on the ocean, and encountered much 
stormy weather. Thej'^ went to Chicago, and 
for a j'ear and a half lived at Schonburg, 
Cook County, 111. In May, 1855, they all 
started with ox teams for Minnesota, and, af- 
ter a tedious journey of four weeks, landed at 
Conrad Reineke's present farm on section 7, 
Deertield Township. Several parties accom- 



322 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



panied them, but most of them stopped 
on the praii'ie east of Faribault. Times were 
very hard during the first few years of the 
settlement. At first the}' went to St. Paul 
for supplies and market ; then to Hastings, 
but it took four days to make the trip. Tiie 
Indian troul)les also made matters worse, and 
(jnce the settlers were obliged to leave on ac- 
count of their hostility. Mr. Reineke's 
father died twenty-five years ago ; his mother 
is living at an advanced age with a younger 
brother at Morristown. Conrad Eeineke 
now has a fine farm of 408 acres, 180 of 
which is under cultivation ; has a commo- 
dious house, barn and other farm buildings, 
and devotes considerable attention to raising 
stock. Mr. Eeineke enlisted, in 1863, in 
Company F, Third Minnesota Volunteer In- 
fantry ; went to Arkansas ; was in several 
skirmishes in that vicinity ; did duty at Lit- 
tle Rock and DuvalFs Bluff ; and was in tlie 
Red River expedition. He was mustered 
out in 1865 on account of sickness. Mr. 
Reineke was married in 1865 to Miss Otelia 
Wilkowske. They liave nine children, as 
follows : Henr\', Anna, George. William, 
Albert, Louis, Ilulda, Ernst and Rudolf. 

Christian Reineke was born in Hanover, 
Germany, March 19, 18-16. In 1853 the family 
came to the United States, going by way of 
New York to Cook Count}', 111. From there, 
in 1855, they came to Steele County, Minn., 
and the father pi'eem])ted the "quarter 
section" in Deerfield Township now owned 
by Christian and Conrad Reineke. There 
were but very few settlers in this region at 
that time — many more Indians than whites. 
The Indians were very friendly up to the 
time of the outbreak, but during the out- 
break, at one time, nearly all the settlers left 
for safety. St. Paul first, and later, Hast- 
ings, were tiie trading places in early times. 
Christian Reineke was married in 1870 to 
Ernestine Turk. Mrs. Reineke's father died 
in the old country, but she has several sisters 
and brothers in this country. Mr. and Mrs. 
Reineke have the follow ine- children : Frede- 



rick, Edward, Wesley, Amelia, Christian, 
Ida, Arthur and Laura. Mr. Reineke now 
has a fine farm of 352 acres, a good share 
of which is under cultivation, and the build- 
ings are substantial. He devotes considera- 
ble attention to raising stock. 

James F. Brady was born in Canada, 
Aprd 2. ISiP. He came to Steele County, 
Minn., and located in the town of Deerfield, 
September 1, 1856, and has since been a res- 
ident. Mr. Brady was married Januar^'^ 7, 
1873, to Louisa Parsons. They have five 
children, as follows: ('harles, James F., 
Alice M., George and Arthur. Mr. Brady 
is a supervisor of the townshi]) and has held 
various offices of importance. He has an 
excellent farm of 240 aci'es, the most of 
which is under cultivation. Mr. Brady's 
father, Charles Brady, is still living with 
James, at the advanced age of eighty -seven. 
The mother died Julv 20, 1885, atied eiirhtv- 
four. Mr. Bradj^ is mentioned frequently 
in this volume. 

Mrs. Margretta Lilly was born in Bucks 
County, Pa., Xovember 22, 1.S23. Her 
fathei- died August 24, 1844. Her mother 
lived in Indiana until the children were mar- 
ried, then went to Iowa and lived with hei" 
youngest daughter. She died at Brooklyn, 
Poweshiek Count}', Iowa, August 1, 1885. 
Mai'gretta was married to Elijah Lilly at 
New Lisbon, Henry County, Ind., July 30, 
1840. In 1856 with ox teams they came 
through to Morristown, Minn., being some 
six weeks on the way. They were accom 
panied by Mr. Lilly's brother-in-law, niece 
and family. Mr. Lilly's earthly possessions 
at that time consisted of fifty cents in money, 
two yoke of oxen and a wagou. One 
yoke of oxen and the wagon weie traded for 
their claim of 160 acres. Mr. Lilly remained 
here until the time of his death January 
3, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Lilly were blessed 
with the following children : Samuel. 
George W., Joseph. Sarah Ann, Willie 
(deceased), David (deceased) and Tacy El- 
len (deceased). Mrs. Lilly's son, David, in 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



323 



1864, enlisted in Company D, Third Minne- 
sota Volunteer Infantry, and served princi- 
pally in Arkansas, being at Duvall's Bluff 
and Little Rock. He was finally taken sud- 
denly sick, and died, as was tliought by his 
comrades, from the effect of poison purposely 
administered by the hospital steward, a rebel 
sympathizer. Samuel was also in the service. 
He enlisted in Compan}' G, First Minnesota 
Infantry, and served three years, being in 
the army of the Potomac. He participated 
in many battles and skirmishes and was 
wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, where 
his canteen saved him from lieing killed. 
Sarali Ann was married June 29th, 1881, to 
G. W. Lewis, of Deerfield, and they are liv- 
ing on the farm with Mrs. Lilly. They 
liave two children. Myrtle M. and Xellie M. 
One incident in the histor}^ of Mr. Lilly's 
ancestry is worthy of mention. His grand- 
father when quite a small boy, together with 
about a dozen others, was stolen from Eng- 
land and brought to America. Being with- 
out money, when they arrived in Maryland 
they were sold to service for their passage. 
He was so small he could not tell where they 
came from. 

Rudolph Eisert was born in the town of 
Deerfield, Steele County, Minn., March 8, 
1862. His parents were natives of Germany. 
They came to the United States in 1859, land- 
ing at New York, and coming to Steele Coun- 
ty the same year from Milwaukee. Tliey 
came with ox teams, and were six weeks on 
the way. Once, in 1862, they were obliged 
to leave on account of the Indian outbreak, 
but came back the next day. For three years 
after coming here they rented a farm, and 
then bought the present place on section 6. 
The father died November 3, 1886. Rudolph 
Eisert was married March 25, 1886, to Miss 
Amelia Saufferor, whose parents reside in 
Waseca Count\^ They have one child, an 
infant bo}'. Mr. Eisert lias 200 acres of land, 
100 of which is under a high state of cultiva^ 
tion. He has fine buildings upon the farm. 

H. Lamson was born at Maria, Rensselaer 



County, N. Y., June 23, 1825. He lived there 
one year ; then, in company with his parents 
and sister, moved to Cavendish,Windsor Coun- 
ty, Vt., where he remained until he was twenty- 
one 3'ears of age. Mr. Lamson then moved 
to Ru-tland County, Vt., living there ten 
years, after which he removed to Fall River, 
Cohimbia Count}', Wis. He enlisted in Com- 
pany B, Seventh Regiment (Columbia County 
Cadets), under Capt. Huntington. He par- 
ticipated in the second battle of Bull Bun, 
South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg 
and all the battles with Grant in the Wilder^, 
ness, and was mustered out on the 19th of 
August, 1864, having been in the meantime 
transferred to the Twenty-fourth Wisconsin. 
Mr. Lamson was married, Marcli 7, 1849, to 
Miss Hannah P. Chamberlain. They had 
four children ; Carrie M., Sarah Celestine 
(now Mrs. Lincoln), Emma Louisa (deceased) 
and Henry H. Mrs. Sarah Lamson died, and 
Mr. Lamson subsequently married again, 
iiis second wife being formerly Miss Lucretia 
C. Williamson. Mr. Lamson now has a fine 
farm of 234 acres, a good share of which is 
under a high state of cultivation. He has 
good buildings and a comfortable home. He 
has taken an active interest in public matters, 
and has filled many offices of importance. 
He is the present chairman of the townsliip 
l)oard, having held that office for four terms. 
He has also been justice of the peace and as- 
sessor. Mr. Lamson has been a resident of 
Deerfield Toivnship for over twenty years. 

Henry H. Lamson was born in Sherburn, 
Vt., August 21, 1854. He came west with 
his parents to Wisconsin, and attended the 
high school at Fall River in that State for 
several years. From there he came with his 
parents to Minnesota. Mr. Lamson was mar- 
ried November 8, 1877, to Miss Olive L. 
Glines. Her parents were former residents 
of Vermont, but now live in Rice County, 
Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Lamson have no ciiil- 
dren of their own, but have taken an orphan 
girl, Abbie Wheeler, whom they love as a 
daughter. Mr. Lamson purchased his present 



324 



HISTORY OF STEELE COIINTY. 



farm, which consists of eighty acres, in De- 
cember, 1875. Half of the farm is under -a 
good state of cultivation. Mr. Lamson takes 
an active interest in all public and educa- 
tional matters and is the present treasurer of 
school district No. 75. 

Julius Busho, one of Steele County's most 
substantial and thrift}' farmers and stock- 
raisers, was born February 4, 1844, in 
Prussia, Germany, where he lived for fifteen 
years with his parents, who died before he 
came to America. In 1859, in company 
with liis brother-in-law, Julius Popke, and 
wife, lie came to the United States, landing 
in New York. He then came west to Prince- 
ton, Marquette County, "Wis., where for sev- 
ei'al years he worked upon farms. In 1864 
he enlisted in the regular service (cavalry 
branch) and was sent with other recruits to 
Carlisle Barracks, Pa., foi- drill. He re- 
mained at the barracks only a few days, 
when he with others from there were trans- 
ferred to the Third Regular (Cavalry, which 
was at St. Louis. From the latter jilace the 
regiment was ordered to Little Rock, Ark., 
from there to Fort Smith, and later, across 
the plains to Santa Fe, N. M., where the 
regiment was divided and distributed for 
detached service at the several frontier posts. 
Col. Howe was the regular officer in com- 
mand, but, as he was temporarily absent. 
Col. Hall assumed command. Mr. Busho 
was finally discharged at Santa Fe, in 1807, 
upon the expiration of his term of service. 
Thesolicitor and writer of this sketcii (J. W. 
Coa])man) hapjiily and unex])ectedly found 
this comrade very nieel\' enjoying an ai)uu- 
dance of the comforts of this life, upon one 
of the finest farms in the State, and pos- 
sessed of an unusual amount of landed and 
personal property, a noble wife, and a fam- 
ily of bright ciiildren. We enlisted in the 
army at about the same time, at the .same 
recruiting office at Madison, Wis., but were 
separated at Carlisle Barracks, he going to 
the Third Regiment, and I being transferred 
to the permanent company at the barracks. 



When Mr. Busho came to Minnesota, he 
first located at Wilton, in Waseca County, 
where he remained two years. He then 
moved to his present farm on section 30, 
Deerfield Township, where he has since 
lived. He was married, in 1867, to Miss 
Lydia Fie, of Pennsylvania. They liave the 
following children : Charles, John, Eddie, 
Fred., WiUiam, Elmer and Mary, all of 
whom are living at home. Mrs. Busho's 
father and mother are living at Morristown, 
Minn. Mr. Buslio has taken an active inter- 
est in all matters pertaining to the welfai-e 
of the townshi]), and is one of the leading 
farmers of Steele Count}'. He lias been 
school district treasurer for six years, and 
has held various other local offices of impor- 
tance. He has 400 acres of land, about 200 
of which is under good cultivation, and has 
a large amount of stock. A portr.iit of Mi-. 
Busho will be found in this volume. 

H. Hodgson, deceased, was one of the old 
settlers of Steele County. He was born at 
High Crosby, County Cumberland, England, 
January 19, 1814, and lived in his native 
country until 1843, when he came to the 
L^nited States, landing at New York. From 
there he went successively to New Jersey, 
Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and in the 
last named States remained for a short time, 
aftt^r which became west. In 1861 he made 
a claim of 160 acres in the town of Deer- 
field, Steele County, Minn., where he lived 
until the time of his death, in July, 1887. 
He had taken an active part here, having 
held at different times the offices of supervi- 
sor, treasurer, justice of tlie peace and vari- 
ous school district offices. Mr. Hodgson 
was married in 18?>ti to Miss Rebecca Smith- 
son, of Cumberland County, England. She 
died February 19, 1865, leaving eight chil- 
dren, as follows: Richard, Elizabeth, AVill- 
iain, Jennie, Hetherington, Thomas, Mary 
and Sarah R. Mr. Hodgson was again mar- 
I'ied, in February, 1867, to Lucy Anna Evens, 
who still survives him. 

William Fehmer was born at Mecklen- 



HISTORY OK STEELE COUNTV. 



325 



burg-Schwerin, Germany, May 14, 1841. 
He lived in his native town until eighteen 
years of age, when with his father, mother 
and four sisters he came to America. Two 
brothers, Henry and John, had preceded 
them. The family landed in New York 
City in 18*31, and pushed westward to Wau- 
kesha Count}', Wis., where his father and 
mother remained with one of their sons on 
a rented farm. William worked at differ- 
ent places. In October, 1867, he located 
upon his farm (m section 9, Deerfield Town- 
ship, Steele County, Minn., where he has 
since lived. AYhen crossing the ocean, Mr. 
Fehmer states that thej' were eight weeks 
and two days on the way, encountering very 
rough weather and many icebergs. In 
1863 he was married to Amelia Bobzein, in 
Waukesha County, Wis. They have six 
children living, as follows : Caroline, George, 
Hattie, Albert, Amelia and Bennie. Five 
children have died : Josephine, Carl, Will- 
iam, Edward and Arthur. Mr. Fehmer's 
father died July 2, 1880, at William's resi- 
dence, his age being eighty-two years. His 
mother died in Deerfield Township July 26, 
1887, aged eighty -three. William Fehmer 
has a most desirable farm of 160 acres, 100 
of which is under cultivation and has fine 
farm buildings. 

August Hoffmann was born in Prussia, 
April 1, 1841. He lived there until he was 
twelve years of age, when he came with his 
father's family to America. They landed at 
New York City, and came west to Wiscon- 
sin, locating on a farm near Sauk City. 
They remained there for eleven years when 
they moved to Steele County, Minn., and 
located upon their present farm on section 
26, town of Deerfield, which has since been 
their home. The father is still living, with 
August's family, but the mother died in 
1875. The father was a soldier in the regu- 
lar service in the old country. August 
Hoffmann was married in Wisconsin, in 1866, 
to Miss Augusta Radel. They have six 
living children, as follows : Julius, Ame- 



lia, Matilda, Herman, Yetta and WiUiam. 
They have lost five children by death, as 
follows: Minnie, Gusta, Amel, Bertha and 
Ida. J\lr. Hoffmann has a good farm of 240 
acres, 120 of which is under cultivation. He 
has held the office of town supervisor, and is 
the present treasurer of the Farmer's Mutual 
Fire Insurance Co., of Steele County, Minn. 
Christian Yust was born in Switzerland, 
January 8, 1843. He lived there for three 
years, and then with his parents came to the 
United States. They landed at New Orleans, 
and from tliere took a boat up the Mississippi 
River to Galena. 111. They remained upon 
a farm in Illinois for seventeen years. The 
father died in 1850. The mother lived with 
the children, finally married a second time, 
and died in Deerfield Township in 1880. 
Christian Yust first settled on section 28 upon 
coming here, but is now on section 13. He 
has a good farm of eighty acres, sixty of 
which is under cultivation. Mr. Yust's first 
wife was Miss Mary Jane Meinder. They 
were married at Lansing, Iowa. By this mar- 
riage they had nine children, as follows : 
George, Elizabeth, William, Caroline, Min- 
nie, Peter, Herman, Josephine and Harvey. 
His first wife died in Deerfield Township in 
1880. Some time later, Mr. Yust married 
Ernestine Putzke. This union has been 
blessed with three children : Emma, Anna 
and Ella. Mr. Yust has been ])rominent in 
township affairs. He has held the office of 
town clerk eight years, assessor three years 
and justice of the peace three years. 

EARLY EVENTS. 

The first birth in the township was a 
daughter in the family of Mr. Hobaugh, 
who lived on section 26. This occurred in 
September, 1856. She was christened Car- 
oline Hobaugh. 

The first death was that of a Miss Austin, 
a young lady of some seventeen or eighteen 
years of age. 

The first marriage in Deerfield Township 
was that of Stephen Birch to Precilla Coe. 



326 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



The ceremony was performed in June, 1858, 
at the residence of the bride's father, by 
Washington Morse, a justice of the peace. 
Another earl}'^ marriage was that of W. B. 
Evans to Miss Frederica C. Williams, June 
16, 1859, by 'Squire Morse. 

The first school in the town was taught in 
the summer of 1857, by Miss Elizabeth Hodg- 
son. 

The first religious service in the township 
was held at the funeral of Mrs. Anderson, 
and was conducted by Eev. Washington 
Morse, a minister of the Seventh-day Advent 
creed, who took the occasion to enlighten 
his audience as to the particular and distinct- 
ive tenets of his religious views. 



OFFICIAL. 

The territory which now comprises Deer- 
field, when first associated with an organized 
township became a part of Owatonna Town- 
ship, which was created August 1, 1855, em- 
bracing all of the west two-thirds of Steele 
County as it is now formed. On the 25th of 
August, 1855, a change was made, creating 
Medford Township, which included all of the 
present townships of Deerfield, Clinton Falls 
and Medford. Thus it remained, so far as 
Deerfield was concerned, until the 6th of 
April, 1857, when Deerfield Township was 
created of township 108, range 21. It was 
reorganized, however, in the spring of 1858, 
and the organization has since been main- 
tained. 




CHAPTER XXIII. 



47^ 



MEKIDEN TOWNSHIP. 




EKIDEIN' Township is (-omposed 
of township 107, range 21, 
forming one of the western tier of 
townships. It is bounded on the 
north by Deerfleld Townsliip, on 
the south by Leinond Township, 
on the east by Owatonna Town- 
ship, and on the west by Wa- 
seca County. Tiie surface of this 
township is wholly made up of a 
rolling prairie, interspersed with 
oak openings. Crane Creek flows through 
the northern part, on its Avay to Straight 
liiver. The southern portion of the town- 
ship is, or at least was originally, covered 
to some extent with oak openings, while the 
north and central portions are made up of 
as fine prairie land as can be found in the 
State. The population of this township in 
1857 was about 193. This has steadily in- 
creased until at the time of the last census, 
in 1885, it had reached 833. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST EEGAEPING EARLY SETfLEES 
AND PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

The first settlement in this township, it is 
claimed, was made in June, 1855, by A. M. 
Fitzsimmons, who located on section 36. A. 
C. Harris also came during the same year 
and settled in the northeastern part of the 
township, where he still lives. Among others 
who came during that year and the year or 
two immediately following were : C. H. 
Wdker and family, including his sons John 
H. and Conrad H. Wilker ; Lysander House, 
Anton Shultz, William Shultz, Henry Abbe, 
William Mundt, John Drinking, F. J. 
Stevens, John Wuamett, Thomas Andrews, 
David House, A. F. Tracy and others. 

The settlement j^rogressed rapidly until aU 



of the government land in the township was 
taken, and the early settlers here, as in other 
portions of the county, underwent many hard- 
ships and disadvantages. 

L}'sander House, an early ]uoneer, was 
born in Oneida County, N. Y., May 31, 1833. 
His parents, Daniel and Catherine (Nestle) 
House, were natives of New York. Thej'' 
had ten children : David, Henry (deceased), 
Betsie, George, Ann (deceased), Jackson, 
Lysander, S3dvester (deceased) and Edwin 
(deceased). Ann married Richard Whitlock, 
a native of New York. Their home was in 
Minneapolis. Ann died in June, 1887. Jack- 
son married Miss Lucy Strong. George 
married Clarissa Ackerman. Betsie mar- 
ried Mr. Peter Palmer. David resides in 
Meriden Township. Susan died in January, 
1876. At the age of twenty-one, Lysander 
started out for himself. His parents came to 
St. Paul, Minn., in 1851, where they remained 
three years. Then, in 1855, they removed to 
Steele County, locating in Meriden Township 
on section 34, where they resided until the 
time of their death, the father dying Janu- 
ary 10, 1873, the mother dying July 6, 
1878. Our subject located on section 26, 
Meriden Township, where he still resides, 
being engaged in farming and stock-raising. 
Mr. House was married November 20, 1865, 
to Miss Phylenia Pierce, who died May 10, 
1867. Mr. House later married Mrs. Sarah 
C. Gotham, who was born in St. Lawrence 
County, N. Y., November 29, 1837, her first 
husband having died in 1865. Mrs. House 
had one child by her first husband, Calvin 
Henry, born June 25, 1860, and died May 
11, 1882. Mr. House is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, and one of Meriden's most prominent 
men. 



328 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTT. 



John H. Wilker is a native of Iowa. He 
was born August 17. 1852. His parents, 
riiristopher and Louisa (Ribbei Wilker, were 
natives of Prussia. They had ten children, 
four of whom are dead. His parents, after 
coming to America, located in Ohio, where 
they remained a short time. They then re- 
moved to Clayton County, Iowa. In 1855 they 
came to Steele County, Minn., locating in 
Meriden Township, where they remained un- 
til 1879; then retired from farming and moved 
to Owatonna, where they still reside. Mr. 
Wilker, our subject, began life for himself 
when twenty -one years of age, locating in 
Meriden Township, on section 27, where he 
is still engaged in farming. Mr. Wilkei- was 
married to Miss Amelia Welk, who was born 
March 18, 185(5. They had six children, four 
of whom are dead. John, born June 19, 187H, 
and Albert, born February 4, 1S78, are the 
only living children. Mr. Wilker is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and is a member of the Lu- 
theran Church. He was elected side supervisor 
in 1882 and held that office one year, after 
which he was chairman of the board for three 
years. In 1879 he was elected clerk of school 
district 39, which office he held for three 
years. 

John O. Wuamett, one of Steele County's 
most extensive farmers and stock-raisers, Avas 
born in Montreal, Canada, December 20, 1830. 
His parents, John and Mary (Barrel)Wuamett 
were also natives of Canada. They had four 
children : Anton, Ralph, Sophia and John. 
The father died in Canada in 1864. When 
thirteen years of age John O. Wuamett 
started out for himself, clerking in a store in 
Canada for five years; then went to Connect- 
icut, where he also remained five years. He 
then returned to Canada, remaining one win- 
ter, thence to Champaign County, 111., where 
he was engaged in farming until 1856, when 
he came to Steele County, Minn., locating on 
section 3, in Meriden Township. Mr. Wua. 
■ mett has at present 500 acres of land on sec- 
tions 2, 3, 10, 16 and 27 and does an extensive 
farming and stock-raising business. He was 



mai'ried March 30, 1865, to Miss Sarah Glo- 
ver, who was Ijorn in Greene County, Wis.. 
April 22, 1848. Hei' parents were natives of 
Pennsylvania and Illinois. There were seven 
children in her father's family. Mr. Wua- 
mett and wife have five children : Ellen, born 
Febi-uary 14, 1866; Ida, born June 15, 1869 
(died January 20, 1871) ; Frank, born August 
16, 1871 ; Clara, born July 10, 1875, and Clif- 
ford, born August 13, 1879. Mr. Wuamett 
is a Republican in politics. He has been 
chairman of the board of supervisors for some 
four years ; has also been town treasurer, town 
assessor, school directoi' anil county commis- 
sioner. 

Thomas Andrews, deceased, was born in 
Columbia, Ohio, Febiaiary 20, 1829. His par- 
ents were natives of Ireland and New Hamp- 
shire. Mr. Andrews came to Minnesota in 
1854, locating in St. Paul. In 1856 he came 
to Steele County and settled on section S, in 
Meriden Township, whei'e he engaged in gen- 
eral farming and stock raising. Mr. Andrews 
was married May 19. 1856, to Miss Margret 
Blong, who was born in Ireland March 29, 
1836. The result of this union was seven 
children : Cleos Francis, born July 25, 1857 ; 
Mary Ellen, born October 11, 1858 ; Robert 
Stewart, born January 19, I860; James Wat- 
son, born July 22, 1867 ; Jennie R., born Au- 
gust 25, 1869; Arthur Thomas, born Febru- 
ar\' 23, 1870, and Clarence Centennial, born 
July 4, 1876. Cleos Francis was killed in 
the" " St. Cloud Cyclone," April 14, 1886. 
He had been a member of the Baptist 
Ciuircii for five years. Robert was married 
November 20, 1881 to Miss Ellen Safford. 
They reside near Fergus Falls, Minn. They 
have three children : Margret Maud, William 
and Ellen. The rest of the children are liv- 
ing at home. Mr. Andrews died May 4, 1887, 
and was l)uried in the Owatonna cemetery. 
He was a Republican in politics, and was a 
man who was highly respected by all who 
knew him. He had held the office of school 
director two years. 

David House was l)orn in New York, 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



329 



January 15, 1821. His parents were also 
natives of New York. Mr. House came to 
Minnesota in April, 1857. locating at once 
on section 27, Meriden Township, Steele 
Count}-, engaging in farming and the raising 
of stock. Mr. House was married Septem- 
ber 29, 1844, to Miss Sarah Chapin, who was 
born in Jefferson County, N. Y., January 
10, 1822. Her i)arents. Gad and Sally 
(Kellsy) Chapin, being natives of the same 
State. There were live children in her 
mother's family : Cloe, Anna, Eri and Sarah, 
the last named iiaving been named aftei' a. 
sister who had died. Anna and Sarah are 
still living. Anna married David Stoddard 
(deceased). She was married to her second 
husband, John A. Tiobbins, a^ native of New 
York. Mr. House and wife had two chil- 
dren : El win, born March 8, 1851, and 
Lavonzo, born in April. 1856. Elwin mar- 
ried Miss Dorothy Bunyon, a native of St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y.' They are located 
in Yellow Medicine County, Minn. Lavonzo 
marrietl Miss Lizzie Eoss, who was born in 
Ohio, November 20, 1853. Her parents, 
Reese G. and Susan (Mattox) Eoss, were na- 
tives of Pennsylvania. They are both dead. 
Our subject, Mr. House, is a Eepublican 
in politics. He was elected school director 
of district 29 at an early day, and hekl tlie 
office for ten years. He has also been clerk 
of district for five years. He is a prominent 
citizen of the township. 

Joseph Grandprey, one of the pioneer set- 
tlers of Steele County, was born in Canada, 
April 22, 1818. His parents, Alexander and 
Margaret (Genereux) Grandprey, were also 
natives of Canada. Joseph Grandprey be- 
gan life for himself wlieii twenty-two years 
old. In 1857 he came to Steele County, 
Minn., first locating in Lemond Township. 
From there he removed to Meriden Town- 
ship, settling on section 22, where he still 
lives, engaged in general farmino; and stock- 
raising. Mr. Gi'andprey was married Sep- 
tember 15, 1844, to Miss Marinda Middaugh, 
who was born in New Yorlc, in November, 



1824. The result of this union was seven 
children: Sarah E., Andrew M., Mary A., 
Eose E., John E., Samuel E. and Fannie M. 
Mr. Grandprey is a Eepublican in' politics. 
He has held the office of school clerk and 
school treasurer of district No. 43, and at 
pi'esent holds the office of justice of the 
peace. 

Eobert Anilrews was born in Columbia, 
Ohio. May 2, 1 834. His parents, William and 
Ellen (Watson) Andrews, were natives of 
Ireland and New Hampshire. They are both 
dead. There were four childi'en in the 
father's family : Francis, Eebecca, James 
and Eobert. The subject of this sketch, 
Eobert Andrews, began life for himself at 
the age of thirteen, working-out on a farm 
for two years. Then he went to Poland, 
Ohio, where he worked in a mill for three 
years. He was then in the lightning-rod 
business for Baker & Co., of Cincinnati, for 
two summers, and finally came to Minnesota, 
locating in St Paul, where he remained for 
nine years. He came to Steele County, 
April 1, 1865, and settled in Meriden Town- 
ship, on section 4, where he still resides, en- 
gaged in general farming. Mr. Andrews 
was married October 21, 1858, to Miss Lou- 
isa Baseman, who was born in Germany, 
February 19, 1838. They have three chil- 
dren : Emma, Archie and Helen, all of whom 
are living at home. Mr. Andrews is a Ee- 
publican in politics. 

J. D. Backus, farmer residing on secticm 
12, Meriden Townshij), Steele County, was 
born in Washington Count}', N. Y., May 9, 
1843. His parents, John and Electa (Cong- 
don) Backus, were natives of Connecticut 
and New York. His father was born July 
16, 1793, and was a soldier in the war of 
1812. His mother was born March 1, 1803. 
There were fourteen children in the family. 
He. in company with his parents, came to 
Steele County, Minn., in 1866. The parents 
located on section 12, Meriden Township, 
remaining there one year and then retired, 
moving to Owatonna, where they remained 



330 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



until the time of their deaths, the father dy- 
ing November 1, 1878; the mother dying 
November 18, 1884. Our subject enlisted Au- 
gustus, 1862, in tlie One Hundred and Twen- 
ty-third New York Infantry, and was dis- 
charged June 8, 1805, having been under 
Capt. Anderson. He was in the following 
battles : Ciiancellorsville, Gettysburg, Dal- 
ton, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, 
Kenesaw. Peach Creek. Ayersboro and 
Bentonville. After being discharged Mr. 
Backus went to New York, where he re- 
mained a few montlis. then returned to 
Steele County, where lie has since lived. 
October 27,1867, he was married to Miss 
Emma G. King, who was born in Maine, 
November 27, 18-17. They have three chil- 
dren : Carrie E., born December i, 1869 : 
Flora E., born July 16, 1871, and Electa L., 
born December 9, 1880, all of whom reside 
at home. Mr. Backus is a Republican in 
politics. He has been justice of the peace, 
school director, and clerk of school district 
No. 10, and is at present one of the town 
supervisors. 

William F. Hobbins. town clerk, and one of 
Meriden's most prominent farmers, was born 
in Gloucester, England, October 1-1, 1839. 
His parents were also natives of England. 
His mother died when he was three years 
of age, leaving two children, Ella and him- 
self. His father came to America, locatino- 
in Wisconsin, where he married his second 
wife. Ella was married to Mr. Jeffers, a na- 
tive of England. Mi'. Hobbins first located 
in Milwaukee, Wis., after coming to Amer- 
ica, where he remained for some time. May 
1,1866, he came to Steele County, Minn., 
locating on section 35, Meriden Township, 
where he still lives, engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. September 18, 
1862, Mr. Hobbins was mari-ied to Miss 
Rosaltha Reynolds, who was born in Wis- 
consin, September 18, 1844. Her parents 
were natives of Mew York, and were farm- 
ers. Tiiere were seven children in her moth- 
er's family. Mr. Hobbins and wife have 



nine children, as follows : Loretta, born Sep- 
tember 17, 1865 ; Nellie, born November 
8, 1867; Emma, born August 14, 1869 ; Cora, 
born August 22, 1 871 ; Zada, born August 9, 
1873 ; Fred., born September 30, 1876 ; Jes- 
sie, born February 22, 1879 ; Nettie, born 
April 23, 1881, and Lura, born x\})ril 24, 
1883, all of whom are single, and six reside 
at home. Mr. Hobbins is a Democrat in pol- 
itics. He has been on the board of super- 
visors two years ; was assessor for eight 
3'ears, and was clerk of school district No. 36 
some seventeen years. In the spring of 
1887 was elected town clerk, Avhich office he 
still holds. 

Herman Rosenau was born in Germany, 
November IS, 1843. His parents, Godfred 
and Anna (Stendel) Rosenau, were natives 
of Germany. There were nine children in 
his fathers family : August, Minnie, Fred., 
Caroline, Hattie, Herman, Rudolpii, Gus. 
and William. In May, 1866, Herman Rose- 
nau came to Steele County, Minn., locating 
in Meriden Township, on section 18, where 
he remained one year, then moved to sec- 
tion 21, in the same township. On February 
6, 1865, Mr. Rosenau enlisted in the First 
Minnesota Heavy Artillery, being under 
Capt. James P. Allen, of Company L, He 
was discharged September 15, 1865. He 
went to Faribault, Minn., wliere he remained 
a few months, and then came to Steele 
County, Meriden Township, where he has 
since resided, engaging in farming and stock- 
raising. Mr. Rosenau has been twice mar- 
ried. First on November 24, 1866, to Miss 
Augusta Welk, who was born in German}-, 
June 14, 1850. Mrs. Rosenau died February 
15, 1880, and was buried in Meriden Town- 
ship. Slie left tliree children : Albert, born 
May 11, 1868; Milie, born October 11, 1869, 
and Hattie, boi'ii June 17, 1871. Mr. Rose- 
nau was mari'ied to his second wife, Miss Ot- 
telie Zellmer, October 24, 1880. They have 
three children : Ottelia, born September 18, 
1881 ; Elda, born January 2, 1884, and Ar- 
thur, born March 19, 1886. Mr. Rosenau is 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



.sni 



a Republican in politics. In 1870 he was 
elected school district treasurer of No. 43, 
which office he held for three years; was 
elected in 1886 as one of the board of super- 
visors, Avhich office he still holds. Mr. Eose- 
nau and family are members of the Luther- 
an Church. 

Lewis Reiter, a farmer residing in Meriden 
Township, was born in Germany, October 16, 
1836. His parents, John and Elizabeth 
(Reiter) Reiter, were also natives of Ger- 
many. Lewis, in company with his parents, 
came to America in June. 18.54, remaining 
for some time in New York and Wisconsin. 
In 1868 he came to Steele County, locating 
in Havanna Township, where our subject re- 
mained a year or two. He then removed to 
section 13, Meriden Township, where he still 
resides. In 1865 Mr. Reiter was married to 
Miss Julia Heller, who was born in Germany, 
August 7, 1845. They have seven children, 
as follows : Emma, born July 17, 1866 ; Ma- 
tilda, born October 13, 1867 ; Albert, born 
March 1, 1869 ; Edward, born February 28, 
1871 ; Bertie, born January 10, 1873 ; Sophia, 
born February 29, 1876, and August, born 
June 21, 1884. Emma was married October 
15, 1885, to Chas. Finger, a native of Wis- 
consin. They have one child, Louisa, born 
December 24, 1886. Mr. Reiter is a Demo- 
crat in politics. In 1882 he was elected school 
director of district 34 and still holds the 
office ; was also elected road overseer in the 
spring of 1887. Mr. Reiter and family are 
members of the Lutheran Church. 

Carl Radke, came to Steele Count}', Minn., 
in 1868. He was born in Prussia, Januarj^ 
23, 1845. His parents, William and Charlotte 
Radke, were also natives of Prussia. Their 
family consisted of seven children, all of 
whom are dead with the exception of Carl 
our subject. He, in company with his parents, 
came to America in 1868, locating in Michi- 
gan for a few months. In May, 1869, they 
removed to Steele County, locating in Owa- 
tonna, where the}^ remained for si.x years. 
Carl Radke is now engaged in farming and 



stock-raising on section 13, in Meriden Town- 
ship, having removed here from Owatonna 
city. In November, 1868, he was married 
to Miss Caroline Grunz, who was born in 
Prussia, December 8, 1844. They have five 
children : Olga, born August 8, 1869 ; Lewis, 
born February 10, 1872 ; Anna, born April 

3, 1874; Carl, born January 19, 1876, and 
Martha, boi-n August 9, 1879. All of the 
children live at home. Mr. Radke is a Repub- 
lican in politics. In 1880 he was elected 
school district treasurer of No. 43, which 
office he still holds. Mr. Radke and family 
belong to the Lutheran Church. 

G. Bosshard, farmer, residing on section 2, 
Meriden Township, was born in Switzerland, 
February 15th, 1841. His parents were 
also natives of Switzerland. His father's 
family consisted of the following children: 
Elizabeth, Godfred, Gustaf and Emihe. Gus- 
taf is engaged in farming in Dodge County, 
Minn. He was married when a young man 
to Miss Katie Solmey. They have four 
children : Emma, Ada, George and Eddie. 
Emilie married Alfred Beardon. They have 
three children. Their present home is in 
Wisconsin. Gertrude was married in May, 
1878. Elizabeth was married to Mr. Al- 
fred Gattiker. They have three children : 
Emma, Edwin and William. In December, 
1866, Mr. Bosshard, our subject, was married 
to Miss Fredericke Wolf, who was born in 
Germany, July 19, 1849; she died January 
19, 1876, leaving five children, as follows : 
Herman, born June 23, 1868 ; Bertha, born 
November 7, 1869 ; Louisa, born March 7, 
1872 ; Fred, born June 13, 1874, and Max, 
born March 13, 1876. February 12, 1877, Mr. 
Bosshard married his second wife. Miss Caro 
line Theile, who was born in Germany, May 

4, 1841. They have one child, Armin, Avho 
was born November 25, 1878. Miss Bertha 
was married May 16, 1887, to Mr. Louis 
Kuchenbecker. They also live in Meriden 
Township. Mr. Bosshard is a Republican 
in pohtics. 

Thomas Kujawa, who resides on section 2, 



332 



HISTORY OF STEELE COCNTT. 



Meriden Township, was born November 11, 
1852. He came to America in 1869, locat- 
ing in Indiana, where he remained seven 
\^ears. He then went to Chicago and worked 
in a tannery for a few months, and then 
came to Steele County, Minn., and began 
working on a farm. He was then engaged 
in the saloon business for one year. Mi'. 
Kujawa was married April 23, 1877, to Miss 
Antonna E. Granoski, a native of Prussiii, 
now deceased. He married his second wife, 
November 11, 1878. She was a Miss Con- 
stancy Schymanski, who is also deceased. 
On January K), 1887, ^Mr. Kujawa was mar- 
ried to his present wife, formerly Miss Mary 
Nowaczeski, a native of Prussia. Mr. Ku- 
jawa has five children : Ilosalia, Celia, Wlad- 
islaw, Simon and Alex. He is a Democrat 
in politics, and is a member of the Catholic 
Church, as is also his family. Mr. Kujawa 
has been engaged in farming since he quit 
the saloon business in Owatonna, having 
moved from Owatonna to his present farm 
in Meriden Township. 

August Grunz was liorn in Germany, 
January 27, 1852, his jjarents, Daniel and 
I^ouisa (Manke) Grunz, both being natives of 
German}-. There were si.x children in his 
father's family : Lena, Huldena. August, 
Charley, Huldaand Tilda. Ilulda died Sep- 
tember 1, 18f>3, and Tilda died when three 
years of age. The famil}' came to America 
in 1873, coming to Steele County, Minn., 
and locating in Owatonna, where they lived 
for fourteen years. They then moved to 
Meriden Township, buying the northeast- 
quarter of section 24, where they have since 
lived, engaging in farming. December 27, 
1871, our subject, August Grunz, was mar- 
ried to Miss Ulrike Taske, who was born 
in Germany, July 2.5, 1851. They have six 
children : Herman, born November 28, 1872 ; 
Mai-y, born ]\[arch 19, 1874; Gusta. born 
May 17, 1879 ; Charles, born April 21, 1882; 
Frank, born August 22, 1884, and an infant, 
iioy Ijorn September 2, 1887. Mr. Grunz is 



a Democrat in politics. He and his family 
are members of the Lutheran Church. 

Henry Stendel was born in Germany, 
October 30, 1845. He came to Steele County, 
Minn., in 1874, locating on section 15, in 
Meriden Township, where he has since 
lived. He carries on a general farming and 
stock-raising business. Mr. Stendel was 
married February 1, 1874, to Miss Sophia 
Oldenfendt, who was born in Germany, 
July 4, 1855. Her parents, Fred, and Caro- 
line (Reiter) Oldenfendt, were natives of 
Germany. They came to America in 1869, 
locating in Clayton County, Iowa, where 
they remained five years. They then came 
to Steele County, locating in Meriden Town- 
ship. The father has since died. Mr. Sten- 
del and wife have four children : Minnie, 
born December 2, 1875 (died November 17, 
1884, and was buried in Meriden Cemetery); 
Herman, born January 4, 1878; Louis, born 
December 2, 1880, and John, born Septem- 
ber 2, 1885. Mr. Stendel and family are 
members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. 
Stendel is a Democrat in political jnatters. 

Norman G. Seely, farmer, came to Steele 
County, Minn., June 10, 1875, locating on' 
section 14, Meriden Township. He was born 
in New York, November 18, 1842. His 
parents, John D. and S3'bil (Gilmore) Seelj^, 
were natives of New York and Vermont. 
His father wasl)orn July 25, 1801, in Orange 
County, N. Y. His mother was born August 
1, 1807, in Vermont. There were nine chil- 
dren in his mother's famiW : Agnes, John 
D., Thankful, Mial W., Sarah A., Norman 
G., Lura D., Emba J. and Laura E. John 
D., died June S, 1875 ; Emba J. is also de- 
ceased. Norman G. Seelj' was married Nov- 
ember 19, 1882, to Miss Lura E. Francis, who 
was born in Wisconsin, Ajiril 30, 1853. Mr. 
Seely has a fine farm of 200 acres, and 
is one of the prominent men of the town- 
ship. He is a Democrat in political matters. 

C. W. McVicker was born in Miami 
County, Ohio, December ]8, 1843. His 
parents, Archibald and Susan (Custer) Mc- 



HISTORY OK STEELE COUNTV. 



333 



Vicker, were natives of Virginia. Tlieir 
family consisted of ten children : John D., 
George D., Elizabeth A., Mary C, Martha 
J., William H., Joseph P., Margaret S., 
Robert O. and Charles W. The parents are 
both deceased; the father died August 12, 
1869. The mother died in August, 1878. 
When twenty-one years of age, C. W. Mc- 
Vicker started out in life for himself. He 
engaged in farming in Marshall County, 111., 
for twelve years and on September 20, 1877, 
he came to Steele County, Minn., locating in 
Owatonna, where he remained for one year. 
He then moved to section 12, Meriden Town- 
ship, where he lives at the present time, en- 
gaged in farming. Mr. McViclcer was mar- 
ried on February i, 1867, to Miss Dorcas 
Johnson, who was born in Ohio, August 24, 
18-12. They have thi-ee children : Allen, born 
December 12, 1869 ; Mabel, born December 
2-t, 1876, and Pearl, born March 12, 1880, all 
of whom reside at home. Mr. McVicker is a 
Republican in politics ; has been school di- 
rector of district 55 for four years ; was 
elected road supervisor in 1879 and served 
two years, and has held various other local 
positions. 

FIEST EVENTS. 

The first birth in the townshij) was that 
of a daughter of Mr. C. H. Wilkerand wife, 
which occurred in March, 1856. The child 
grew up to womanhood, and is now Mrs. 
John Scholljerdes, of Lemond Township. 

The first marriage in this neighborhood 
was that of W. T. Drum to Miss Roxie Hen- 
shaw, which took place at the residence of 
Austin Vinton, just across the line in Waseca 
County, September 2-i, 1856, Rev. H. Chapin 
of Owatonna, performing the ceremony. 
Oxen were used in conveying the guests to 
and from the party. Anotlier early mai'- 
riage, and probably the first within the 
limits of the township, was that of Daniel 
Root to Rebecca Williams. 

The first death was that of Edwin House, 



which occurred May 3, 1858. It is thought 
that the next was that of Mr. Simmons, a 
son-in-law of Mr. Fitzsimmons, the first set- 
tler of the township. lie was killed by light- 
ning while sitting in his house, in the sum- 
mer of 1858. Another early death was that 
of Andrew Cook. 

The first school in the township was 
taught in the summer of 1857, by Miss 
Leroy, a daughter of Henry Lero}'. One of 
the first schoolhouses in the township was 
erected in 1857 by the citizens, on the north- 
east corner of section 10, now in district No. 
52. At about the same time a log school- 
house was built on section 30. There are 
now six school districts in the township. 

The first religious service was held at the 
house of Mr. Wilker, in the summer of 1857, 
by a German Methodist preacher. 

ORGANIZATION. 

When Steele County was organized in 
August, 1855, the territory of which Meri- 
den is now formed became a part of Owa- 
tonna Township. It remained thus until the 
6th of April, 1857, when the board of county 
commissioners set off and authorized the or- 
ganization of township 107, range 21, as 
Meriden. The organization, however, was 
not fully perfected until the sjiring of 1858. 
Among those who were prominent in official 
matters in earh' days, and who filled the 
most important of the township offices were: 
F. J. Stevens, A. F. Tracy, Samuel Reemsny- 
der, J. O. Wuamett, T. P. Jackson, E. L. 
Scoville, AV. F. Drum, W. T. Drown, Joseph 
Grandprey, Henry Leroy, E. L. Crosby, 
Robert Stevenson, L. G. Green. 

The present officers of the township are as 
follows : Supervisors, Fred. Walter, chair- 
man, J. D. Backus and H. Rosenau: treas- 
urer, F. W. Goodsell ; clerk, William F. 
Hobbins; constable, Henry Stendel ; justices 
of the peace, Joseph G. Grandprey and F. 
W. Goodsell : assessor, R. G. Rosenau. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 




OWATONNA TOWNSHIP. 



a great extent the early histoi'v 
of this township is identical with 
that of the city. The township 
includes territory in township 
107, range 20, but the incorpo- 
rate limits of the city embrace 
nine sections of land in this 
congressional township, leaving 
only twenty-seven sections for 
the civil township. Straight 
River travei-ses the townshi]) from south 
to north, and is skirted bj' a moderately 
heavy body of timber. The land, away from 
the region of the river, is made up generally 
of oak openings and rolling prairie, dotted 
with schools and residences, and diversified 
by the many groves which have been grown 
by the thrifty settlers. In 1857 the town- 
ship, including the village, had a population 
of 614; in 1885 it had, including the city, 
3,830 ; or, outside of the city, 550. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement within the present 
limits of this township was made in the fall 
of 1854, by A. B. Cornell and W. F. Pettitt, 
who located within the present limits of 
Owatonna city. G. W. Green, J. W. Park 
and S. B. Smith also came the same fall and 
winter. All these parties receive extended 
notice elsewhere. 

During the year 1855 the following 
named came and made homes in this town- 
ship, or near by : Addison Phelps, Nelson 
Morehouse, E. M. Morehouse, Alson Selleck, 
Joel Wilson, B. L. Arnold, Dexter and 
Parker Carlton, N. Winship, John Wilcox, 
two of the Schimeks. David Lindersmith, 
Leonard and Simeon Case. Bazil Meek, 



Obed Gaines, Miner Prisbey, Adolphus 
Town, E. Eeed, Lucius Lewis, Philo San- 
ford, Charles Ellison, John Hand, Ezra 
Abbott, C. G. Hayes, John Moon and a man 
named Ward. Many of these parties 
brought their families with tiiem, and at 
once selected claims and began making- 
homes. The city history in another chapter 
details the growth in business matters. 

In 1856 the following named all came and 
settled in this township : J. W. Morford, 
J. G. Morford, G. W. Morford, Dr. Harsha 
and John Odell. Besides these, a few oth- 
ers located in the soutliern portion of the 
township. After this the settlement con- 
tinued gradualh' until all of the government 
land in the township was taken. Many of 
these, besides other early settlers, are noticed 
at length in connection with the biographi- 
cal de])artment. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first white child born in this town- 
shij) was also the first born in Steele County. 
It was a son of Mr. and Mi's. G. W. Green, 
iiorn April 6, 1855, and was named George 
K. Dr. W. W. Finch was the attending 
physician. 

The first death in the township occurred in 
August, or September, 1855, and was a child 
of Miner Prisbey's. The remains were in- 
terred in the cemetery north of town. 

The first marriage took place in the sum- 
mer of 1855, the parties being John Wilcox 
and Clara Brooks. They were married at 
Faribaujt, by Elder Town. The event was 
heartily celebrated by the young people in 
the settlement. 

The first building erected in the township 
was A. B. Cornell's log cabin. 



334 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



335 



ORGANIZATION. 

When Steele County was organized in the 
summer of 1855, it included all of the pres- 
ent county of Waseca and the two western 
tiers of townships now forming Steele. On 
the 1st of August, 1855, the board of county 
commissioners organized Owatonna Town- 
ship, embracing all of the west two-thirds of 
Steele County, as it is now formed. August 
25, 1855, Medford Township was organized, 
leaving Owatonna six congressicmal town- 
ships. April 6, 1857, the balance of the 
government townships were organized civ- 
illy, and Owatonna was left in the shape in 
which it has since remained. In the spring 
of 1858, the matter was readjusted t<j make 
it conform to a change in the law. 

The following is a complete list of the 
gentlemen who have filled the various town- 
ship offices during each year, as far as can 
now be learned from the records : 

Elected April 5, 1859 — Supervisors, G. B. 
Hall, chairman, A. Selleck and Gordon Wat- 
son ; clerk, W. K. Kinyon ; collector, J. G. 
Morford ; assessor, John Odell ; overseer of 
the poor, A. Town ; constable, J. G. Mor- 
ford. 

April 3, 1860 — Supervisors, John OdeU ; 
chairman, A. Selleck and Gordon Watson ; 
clerk, W. K. Kinyon ; assessor, L. E. Raw- 
son ; treasurer, J. G. Morford ; justices, L. 
F. Babcock and Addison Phelps ; constables, 
C. R. Ilutchins and J. G. Morford ; superin- 
tendent of schools, W. F. Drum ; overseer 
of the jioor, Anton Schimek. 

April 3, 1861 — Supervisors, Geo. W. 
Shaw ; chairman, Luther Torrey and Hiram 
Greenwood ; clerk, L. F. Babcock ; assessor, 
Addison Phelps ; treasurer, J. G. Morford. 

April 1, 1862 — Supervisors, Geo. B. Hall, 
chairman, Dexter Carlton and L. C. Wood- 
man ; clerk, W. R. Kinyon ; justices, M. A. 
Dailey and L. F. Babcock ; constables, G. 
B. Twiss and J. B. Crooker; treasurer, L. 
R. Hunnewill; assessor, L. E. Rawson ; 
overseer of poor, Adolphus Town. 

No record of election in 1863. 



April 5, 1864 — Supervisors, W. F. Pettit, 
chairman, D. Furman and L. C. Woodman ; 
assessor, L. E. Rawson ; clerk, A. M. Kinyon ; 
treasurer, D. S. Harsha ; constables, J. B. 
Ci'ooker and H. A. Burr. 

April 4, 1865 — Supervisors, Gordon Wat- 
son, chairman, Alson Selleck and L. R. 
Crooker ; assessor, G. B. White ; treasurer, 
Joseph Kaplan ; justices, J. L. Landon a;id 
William Thompson ; clerk, T. C. S. Minthorn ; 
constables, George Thom and Peter Hill. 

April, 1866 — Supervisors, Gordon Wat- 
son, chairman, Daniel W. Wells and Fred- 
erick Math wig ; clerk, Alson Selleck; treas- 
urer, John Thom ; constable, Joseph Young. 

April 2, 1867 — Supervisors, Daniel Bliss, 
(died and J. B. Smith elected chairman, to 
succeed him) ; C. F. Mathwig and Samuel 
Bellig, Jr. ; assessor, Francis TIkjui ; clerk, 
Alson Selleck ; treasurer, John Thom ; jus- 
tices, J. Landon and E. O. Walden ; consta- 
ble, Hiram Robinson. 

April 7, 1867— Supervisors, J. B. Smith, 
chairman, Francis Thom and George Mor- 
ford ; treasurer, John Tliom ; clerk, Alson 
Selleck ; assessoi", Gordon Watson ; justice, 
Harrison Greenwood ; constable, George W. 
Kinyon. 

April 6, 1869 — Supervisors, Geo. W. Mor- 
ford, chairman, W. B. Norman and John 
Pichner ; treasurer, John Thom ; clerk, Alson 
Selleck ; assessor, Francis Thom ; justice, J. 
W. Landon ; constables, J. B. Norman and 
Geo. W. Morford. 

April 5, 1870 — Supervisors, G. W. Mor- 
ford, chairman, J. Young and Francis Thom ; 
clerk, Alson Selleck ; treasurer, John Thom ; 
assessor, J. W. Landon ; justice, H. R. Thom- 
son ; constables, J. B. Essex and Julius Town. 

March 14, 1871 — Supervisors, H. Robin- 
son, chairman, Joseph Young and W. B. Nor- 
man ; clerk, Alson Selleck ; treasui-er, John 
Thom ; assessor, Francis Thom ; justices, L. 
Town and J. W. Landon ; constables, G. W. 
INforford and Robert Davison. 

March 12, 1872 — Supervisors, J. Q. Ellis, 
chairman, J. Young and J. B. Smith ; asses- 



336 



HISTORY OF STEELE COtTNTT. 



sor, Francis Thorn ; justice, J. E. Barker ; 
clerk, Alson Selleck ; treasurer, .John Thorn ; 
constable, M. Robinson. 

March 11, 1873 — Supervisors, J. Q. Ellis, 
cliairman, C. F. Mathwig and J. B. Smith ; 
clerk, Alson Selleck ; treasurer, John Thorn ; 
assessor, Francis Thorn ; justices, J. W. Lan- 
(ion and George Moi'ford ; constables, W. E. 
Kimball and ]Vathan Stone. 

March 10, 187-1 — Su])ervisors, J. B. Smith, 
chairman, C. F. Matluvig and W. E. Kim- 
ball ; clerk, Alson Selleck ; treasurer, John 
Thom ; assessor, George Moi-ford ; justices, 
11. liobinson and J. W. Landon ; constaliles, 
J. Q. Ellis and S. Case. 

March 9, 1875 — Supervisors, J. B. Smith, 
chairman, Philip Junker and John Thom; 
clerk, Alson Selleck ; assessor, Francis Thom ; 
treasurer, Joseph Kubat ; justice, "W. E. Kim- 
ball. 

March l-l, 1876 — Supervisors, N. S. Dwi- 
nell, chairman, G. AV. Degner and J. W. 
Landon ; clerk, 0. D. Selleck ; treasui-er, 
Robert Thom ; assessor, D. K. Johnson ; jus- 
tice, J. W. Landon ; constable, N. Stone. 

March 13, 1877 — Sujjei'visors, R. De Long, 
chairman, George Kinyon and J. F. Bickner ; 
clerk, O. A. Buckland ; treasurer, A. Kubat ; 
assessor, Don. Johnson ; justice, R. De Long. 

March 12, 1878 — Supervisors, G. W. Kin- 
yon, chairman, J. F. Pichner and Martin 
Cook ; clerk, O. D. Selleck ; treasurer. Anton 
Kubat; assessor, Francis Thom; justice, J. 
W. Landon ; constable, S. Case. 

March 18, 1879 — Supervisors, G. W. Kin- 
yon, chairman, Frank Sikora and Casper 
Zimmerman ; clerk, O. D. Selleck ; treasurer, 
Anton Kubat ; assessor, R. De Long ; jus- 
tices, Alson Selleck and J. W. Landon ; con- 
stable, Charles Sette. 

March 9, 1880 — Supervisors, G. W. Kin- 
yon, chairman, Piiilip lunker and R. C. 
Thom ; clerk, O. D. Selleck ; treasurer, John 
Pichner; assessor, R. De Long; justice, 
Joseph Ka])lan ; constable, Casper Zimmer- 
man. 

March 8, 1881 — Supervisors, G. W. Kin- 



yon, chairman, Philip lunker and G. W. 
Degner ; clerk, J. W. Landon ; treasurer, 
A. Kubat ; assessor, Joseph Kubat ; justice, 
Alson Selleck: constables. Frank Sikora 
and Thomas Stephenson. 

March 14,. 1882 — Supervisors, G. W. Kin- 
yon, chairman, Philip lunker and Joseph 
Kaplan; clerk, J. W. Landon; treasure)-, 
Anton Kubat ; assessor, Joseph Kubat ; jus- 
tices, R. C. Tiiom and J. W. Landon ; con- 
stables, John Pichner and John Gladback. 

March 13, 1883 — Supervisors, G. W. Kin- 
yon, chairman, John Pichner and G. "W. 
Morford ; clerk, J. W. Landon; treasurer, 
Anton Kubat ; assessor, R. C. Thom ; jus- 
tice, Alson Selleck ; constable, J. Gillett. 

March 11, 1884 — Supervisors, A. R. 
Jones, chairman. A. M. Thom and Joseph 
W. Kaplan ; clerk, J. "W. Landon ; treasurer, 
John Pichner; assessor, R. C. Thom ; justice. 
J. W. Landon ; constable, John Pavek Jr. 

March 10, 1885 — Supervisors, A. R. Jones, 
chairman, S. Kinney and O. D. Selleck ; 
clerk, G. W. Kin\fon ; treasurer, John Pich- 
ner ; assessor, R. C. Thom ; justice, A. Sell- 
eck ; constable, J. M. Thompson. 

March, 9, 18S6 — Supervisors, A. R.Jones, 
chairman, Joseph Kaplan and S. Kinney ; 
clerk, Joseph W. Kajilan ; treasure!-, John 
Pichner; assessor, R. C. Thom; justices, 
S. B. Williams and A. Selleck ; constables, 
John Pavek and Setli Temple. 

March 8, 1887 — Supervisors, A. R. ,Iones, 
chairman. S. Kinney and Samuel Kubat; 
clerk, J. W. Keplan ; treasurer, John Pich- 
ner; assessor. R. C. Thom; justices, A. Sell- 
eck and J. W. Landon ; constables. John 
Pavek and Robert Lennon ; judges of elec- 
tion, A. R. Jones, S Kinney and Joseph 
Kaplan. 

UIOGEAPHIF.S OF OLD SKTTLERS AND PROMINENT 

crrizENS. 
Alson Selleck was born in New York State, 
December 20. 1823. In 1850 he came to 
Wisconsin, where he remained for five years. 
In 1855, while the settlem-ent here was in its 
infancy, he came to Steele County, Minn., 




CTf^ui^^ 2^ 



HISTORY OF STEELE COPNTY. 



339 



where he has since lived. Mr. Selleck 
was married September 17, 1850, to Miss 
Mary A. Kent. They have three children: 
Oliver D. born June 19, 1854; William A., 
born May 30, 1857, and Susan E.. born Sep- 
tember 8, 1862, who died June 11, 1864, and 
was buried in the Owatonna cemetery. Mr. 
Selleck is a Republican in politics, is a mem- 
ber of the Owatonna Congregational Church, 
and also belongs to the Owatonna I. O. O. F. 
He has for many years been prominent in 
all public matters and has held many offices 
of importance. 

John Pichner was born in Bohemia, Jan- 
uary 6, 1844. He left there in 1853 for the 
United States and went direct to Illinois. 
He remained there until the year 1855, 
when he came to Steele County, Minn., set- 
tling in Owatonna Township, where he now 
resides. Mr. Pichner was married in the 
year 1867 to Rosa Jirsonsek, and the fruits 
of their union were eight children, as follows: 
John, born October 16, 1868; Anna and 
Rosa (deceased), born October 27, 1873, 
twins; Hattie, born February 24, 1876; Lot- 
tie (deceased), born January 19, 1878; Mag- 
gie, born January 6, 1882; George born Feb- 
ruary 29, 1884; Robert, born March 12, 1886. 
Mr. Pichner belongs to the Bohemian Society 
in Owatonna, and in politics is a Democrat. 

G. W. Morford was born in New York 
State, September 17, 1831. In 1853 he came 
to Wisconsin, where he remained till 1855. 
He then returned to New York State, where 
he remained soTiie time, and then came back 
to Wisconsin, and after visiting in New York 
once more came to Steele County, Minn., 
in 1856, locating in Owatonna Township, 
where he now lives. Mr. Morford was 
married December 23, 1857, to Sarah Weller. 
Thej' have been blessed with two children: 
Alice, born June 8, 1861, and Hattie, born 
June 4, 1871. Mr. Morford is a Republi- 
can in politics, has been prominent in polit- 
ical and official matters ever since he came 
to the county, and is one of the enterpris- 
ing citizens of the township. 

20 



A. R. Jones was born in McHenry 
County, 111., February 28, 1849. In 1856 he 
came to Steele County, Minn., where he has 
since resided. Mr. Jones was united in mat- 
rimony December 5, 1869, to Miss Alzina 
Coon. The fruits of this union were two 
children: Mary L., born December 15, 1876, 
and Charles L., born December 14, 1880. 
Mrs. Jones died August 6, 1886, and was 
buried in Havanna cemetery. Mr. Jones has 
been engaged in farming since he came to 
Steele Count}'. In politics he is a Republi- 
can. He has held many offices of impor- 
tance as will be seen in other chapters, and 
has been a leading man in the official historv 
of the township. 

Joseph Kaplan was born in Bohemia, in 
the year 1829. He left there in 1856 for the 
United States, and came direct to Steele 
County, Minn., where he now resides. Our 
subject has been married twice. His first 
marriage occurred in the year 1855 to Barbara 
Zeduik, who died on the 27th of October, 

1881. The fruits of this union were ten 
children ; their names and ages were as 
follows : Joseph, born September 20, 1856 ; 
Agnes, born April 20, 1858 ; Rosa, born June 
29, 1860 ; Godfrey, born November 12, 1861 ; 
John, born December 30, 1863 ; Joslin, born 
Mayl, 1866; Emil, born April 24, 1868; 
Lewis, born April 18, 1870, and Albert and 
Mary, deceased (twins), born December 28, 
1873. The daughter Mary was killed by 
the cars, while coming home from school, 
June 13, 1881. His second marriage oc- 
curred May 22, 1883, to Anna M. Kaplan. 
The fruits of this union were two children, 
as follows : Anna L., born February 22, 
1884, and Bedrich, born November 30, 1885. 
Mr. Kaplan belongs to the Catholic Church 
and in politics is a Democrat. He has been 
prominent in township affairs, and is a lead- 
ing citizen. 

J. W. Kaplan was born in Steele County, 
Minn., September 20, 1856, and has always 
resided here. He was married February 2, 

1882, to Fanny Slavik. The fruits of the 



340 



HISTORY OF STEELE CO0NTT. 



union were three children, as follows : Emil, 
bom December 1, 1883 ; Grace, born July 
26, ISS-l, and Mabel, born January 15, 18S7. 
Mr. Kaplan belongs to Bohemian Lodge, No. 
67, C. S. P. S., of Owatonna. In politics he 
is a Democrat. 

Samuel Kubat was born in Bohemia in the 
year 1846. He left there in 1854 for Amer- 
ica and settled in Illinois, where he remained 
until the year 1856, then came to Steele 
County, Minn., where he now lives. He was 
married in 1869 to Matilda Blazak, the fruits 
of this union being six children. Their 
names and ages are as follows: Samuel A., 
born June 20, 1870; Anna M., born April 
14, 1872; William A., born A])ril 3, 1874; 
Henry L., born July 25, 1876 ; Matilda A., 
l)orn February 5, 1879, and Josie I., born 
April 16, 1881. Our subject is a member of 
the Catholic Church in Owatonna, and in 
politics a Eepublican. 

G. W. Degner was born in Prussia, Octo- 
ber 25, 1836. He left there in 1855 for the 
United States and settled tirst in Wisconsin, 
where he lived until 1857; then came to 
Steele County, Minn., where he now resides. 
He was married November 7, 1867, to Sophia 
Alborn. The fruits of the union were 
eleven children: Louisa, born September 10, 
1868; Emma, born April 4, 1870; Ernest, 
born September 16, 1871; one child died at 
birth, born May 10, 1873; Louis, born Sep- 
tember 16, 1874; Edward, born September 
24, 1876 ; Bertha, born April 14, 1878 ; Helen, 
born January 15, 1881 ; Edith, born July 6, 
1883; AVilliam, born April 9, 1885, and 
Sophia, born February 11, 1887. Mr. Deg- 
ner belongs to the Lutheran Church and is a 
Republican in political matters. 

Francis Thom was born in Aberdeenshire, 
Scotland, July 8, 1808. He left his native 
countiy in 1856 for the United States, and 
first settled in Wisconsin. He remained 
there until 1858, when he came to Steele 
County, Minn., where he has since lived. 
Mr. Thom was married June 17, 1832, to 
Margaret Cragian, who died October 2, 1885, 



and was buried in Owatonna cemetery. 
She was a lady of high Christian character 
and was beloved bj' all. The fruits of their 
union were twelve children, as follows: 
Anna, born August 7, 1833 (died March 22, 
1885, was buried at Racine, Wis.); William, 
born Sept 9, 1834 ; George, born Aug. 24, 
1836 ; Elizabeth, born Sept. 26, 1838 ; James, 
born Oct. 10, 1840; John, born June 19, 
1S42; Daniel, born July 8, 1844; Robert, 
born January 12, 1847 ; Maggie, born Feb- 
ruary 8, 1849 ; Frank, born June 11, 1851 ; 
Alexander, born March 15, 1854, and Mary, 
born June 25, 1855. Mr. Thom belongs to the 
Congregational Church at Owatonna. In pol- 
itics he is a Republican, and has held a great 
man}' local offices of trust and importance, 
discharging the duties with credit to himself 
and satisfaction to the citizens of the town- 
ship. Xo man in Steele County has led a 
more exemplary life than Mr. Thom, noi' is 
held m higher esteem or respect by his fel- 
low men. A portrait of Mr. Thom adorns 
another page in this volume. 

R. C. Thom was born in Aberdeenshire, 
Scotland, January 12, 1847. He left there 
in 1856 for the United States, and first 
settled in Wisconsin, where he remained 
until 1858. He then came to Steele County, 
Minn., where he has since lived. He was 
married in 1875 to Mary J. Kerr. They 
have had three children, as follows : Elsie M., 
born May 1, 1876 ; Ada B., born September 
12, 1879, and Daniel A., born September 
16, 1882. Mr. Thom belongs to the Con- 
gregational Church of Owatonna. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican. 

R. Beaumont was born in England, 
October 1, 1817. He was a shepherd while 
living in England. In 1856 became to Amer- 
ica, tirst settling in Wisconsin, where he 
remained until 1858, when he came to Steele 
County, Minn., locating in Owatonna Town- 
ship, where he now lives. Mr. Beaumont 
was married in 1840 to Susan Mann, who 
died in 1854, and was buried in England. 
Mr. Beaumont was again married, in 1856, 



HISTORY OF STEELE CODNTY. 



341 



to Mary Kidmann, the second wife dying in 
1856, in "Wisconsin, and he was again married 
ip 1858 to Mary Elliott. Mr. Beaumont has 
nine children : Emma, born Novembei- 22, 
1842 ; Isabella, born January 1, 1844; Susan, 
born March 30, 1846 ; Sophia, born March 5, 
1848; Mary, born October 4, 1849; Charles, 
born June 12, 1851 ; William (deceased), 
born January 3, 1853 ; Lumcan, born Feb- 
ruary 19, 1859, and Martha (deceased), born 
August 11, 1863, the hrst seven being by 
the first wife and the others by the third 
wife. In politics Mr. Beaumont is a Repub- 
lican, and is also a member of the Baptist 
Chnrch of Owatonna. 

Anson Titus was born in New York State, 
January 22, 1814. In 1856 he came to Wis- 
consin, where he remained until 1859, and 
then came to Steele County, Minn., locating 
first on Straight River, in Owatonna Town- 
ship, where he remained for three years, and 
then settled upon the place where he still 
lives. In 1840 Mr. Titus was married to 
Nancy B. Spencer. They have ten children 
as follows : Anguette (deceased), born Janu- 
ary 11, 1841 ; Elhannan (deceased), born 
December 19, 1843; George, born March 23, 
1845; James, born June 6, 1847; Harriet, 
born March 23, 1850 ; Mary (deceased), born 
June 17, 1851 ; Adell, born August 23, 1854; 
Ida, born March 23, 1857 ; Ezra, born April 
15, 1859, and Clara, born August 11, 1861. 
Mr. Titus is a Republican in politics, and 
one of the prominent men of the township. 

S. B. Williams was born in Massachusetts, 
June 26, 1822. In 1830 his parents moved 
to Ohio. In 1852 he went to Calif oi'nia, 
where he remained until 1858, when he 
moved to Wisconsin. He remained there 
six months, then went to Illinois, and finallj' 
in 1860 came to Steele County, Minn. Mr. 
Williams was married in 1864 to Sarah Jane 
Domaj'. They had one child, Samuel B., 
born December 15, 1876, who died Decem- 
ber 27, 1883, and was buried in the Owa- 
tonna cemetery. Mr. AVilliams belongs to 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 



also to the Masonic order in Waseca. In 
politics he is a Republican, and he is among 
the most prominent and influential citizens 
of tlie county. 

Joseph Belina was born in Bohemia, in 
the year 1861. He left there in 1862 and 
came direct to Steele County, Minn., where 
he still resides. He was married in 1884 to 
Rosa Kaplan. Mr. Belina belongs to the 
Catholic Church and in politics is a Demo- 
crat. 

William A. Wiggins was born in Barton, 
Vt., June 10, 1846. In 1862 he came to 
Iowa, where he remained one year. In 
1863 he came to Steele County, Minn. In 
1872 he moved to Mountain Lake, Cotton- 
wood County, Minn., where he resided un- 
til 1876, then returned to Steele County, 
where he now resides. Mr. Wiggins was 
married in 1872 to Miss Emma McFall. 
Tiiejr have four children : Millie M., born 
September 11, 1875 ; Ray W., born Feb- 
ruary 14, 1879; Loie A., born June 11, 1881, 
and Alice M., born October 26, 1884. In 
politics Mr. Wiggins is a Republican. He 
is also a member of the Methodist Church 
of Owatonna. 

G. W. Kinyon, county commissioner, is a 
native of Jefferson Count}^, N. Y. In 1864 
he came to Steele County, Minn., where he 
resides at the present time. Mr. Kinyon 
was married in 1862 to Miss Frances Han- 
chett. They have four children : Nettie M., 
born July 1, 1865 ; Mary D., born Novem- 
ber 10, 1867; Stella M., born October 28, 
1869, and Nellie J., born August 10, 1871. 
Mr. Kinyon has been engaged at farming 
since he came to Minnesota. He is a Demo- 
crat in politics and belongs to the Congrega- 
tional Church of Owatonna. As will be seen 
from reading Chapter V., Mr. Kinyon is the- 
present county commissioner from this dis- 
trict. He is an efficient and careful officer 
and is making a creditable record. 

Edgar B. Sanders was born in Fond du 
Lac County, Wis., March 22, 1851. In 1865 
he came to Steele County, Minn., locatmg in 



?.42 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Owatonna Township, where he has since 
been engaged in farming, being among the 
prominent and thrifty farmers of the county. 
Mr. Sanders was married in April, 1886. In 
pohtics he is a Kepublican. 

WiUiam J. Sahler, one of the thrifty farm- 
ers of the township, was born in Sauk 
County, Wis., April 9, 1855. In 1866 he 
came to Steele County, Minn., where he now 
lives. On the 10th of March, 1881, he was 
married to Miss Emelia Mathwig. They have 
been blessed with three children : Ida E., born 
November IT, 1882 ; Anna M.,born January 
12, 1884, and Lidia C, born December 24, 
1885. Mr. Sahler is a Eepublican in politics 
and is a member of the German Methodist 
Church. 

J. R. Morley was born in New York, No- 
vember 19, 1850. In 1860 he came to Wis- 
consin, remaining there until 1868, when he 
moved to Steele County, Minn., locating in 
Owatonna. In the fall of 1872 Mr. Morley 
went to Chicago ; in 1873 removed to Jeffer- 
son, and in 1883 he again moved to Steele 
County, Minn., settling in Owatonna Town- 
ship, where he is now among the most prom- 
inent farmers. In 1872 Mr. Morley was mar- 
ried to Miss Emma C. Searl. They have four 
children : Mary C, born June 9, 1874 ; Ida M., 
born October' 29, 1875; Alice E., born De- 
cember 25, 1877, and Edna C, born Novem- 



en gaged 



ber 4, 1884. Mr. Morley has been 
in farming since he came to Minnesota, and 
is among the most enterprising men of the 
county. In politics he is a Republican, and 
is also a member of the Congregational 
Church of Owatonna. 

William lunker was born in Dane County, 
Wis., March 5, 1860. In 1868 he came to 
Steele County, Minn., locating in Owatonna 
Township, where he still lives. Mr. lunker. 
was married in 1885 to Agnes Pischkey. 
They have one child, Samuel W., born Octo- 
ber 18, 1886. Mr. lunker is one of the thrifty 
farmers of the township. He is a member 
of the Lutheran Church, his wife being a 
Catholic. Politically Mr. lunker is a Dem- 
ocrat. 

T. H. Frazer was born in Ireland, February 
1, 1840. He came to America in 1859, locat- 
ing in Illinois. In 1863 he removed to IMin- 
nesota, and in 1878 he removed to Owatonna 
Township, where he is living at the present 
time. Mr. Frazer was married in 1S80 to 
Miss M. A. Johnson. The fruits of their 
union were two children : Henry S., born 
October 1, 1881, and Hubert L., born De- 
cember 5, 1882. Mr. Frazer has been en- 
gaged in farming ever since he came to Min- 
nesota. He is a member of the Episcopal 
Church of Owatonna, and in political mat- 
ters is a Republican. 




e>'.j3 



CHAPTER XXV. 




HAVANNA TOWNSHIP. 



HIS forms one of Steele County's 
eastern tier of townships. It is 
Ijounded on the east by Dodge 
County; on the north by Merton 
Township ; on the west by Owa- 
tonna, and on the south by Au- 
rora. The Chicago 6z Northwest- 
ern Eailway traverses the town- 
ship from east to west, and a 
station called Havana has been 
located on the corner of sections 17, 18, 19 
and 20. Rice Lake covers a considerable 
area of land in the northwestern part of 
the township, and Maple Creek flows from 
the lake to the Straight River, crossing the 
northern tier of sections. Quite a body of 
timber is found in the region of the lake 
and stream ; but, aside from this, the town- 
ship is made up of prairie and oak open- 
ings. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railway touches the southwest corner of 
the Township, and Pratt Station is located 
upon the township line. In 1857 this town- 
ship had a population of 222; in 1885 this 
had grown to 865. Havanna is among the 
wealthiest and most prosperous localities in 
Steele County, and is the home of many sub- 
stantial and well-to-do farmers. The surface 
of the township is diversified by the many 
groves which have been set out by the thrifty 
settlers, and is dotted with fine buildings, 
schools and churches. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement within the limits now 
comprising Havanna Township was made 
during the year 1855. John and Robert 
Adair located in the northwestern portion of 
this township in July, 1855. Among others 
who settled here during the same year, were 



Charles McCarty, William Burns, Robert 
Page, George Squires, George Baird and Mr. 
Johnson. 

In 1856 the following named arrived 
and selected homes in this township: Mr. 
Sherman, George Dennis, William Ellis, 
Agrim Johnson, Andrew Thompson, Ole 
Johnson, L. K. Johnson, Newton Parker, 
James Soper, Mr. McCaslin, N. Easton, 
Silas Euston, J. and Elisha Eldridge, 
Ole Hoggenson, Daniel Potter, J. Nelson 
and others. Among many others, who came 
at an early daj^ and should be mentioned, 
are the following, who settled here in 1857 
and 1858, although it has been impossible to 
learn their initials, or how their names were 
spelled: Messrs. Conway, Bloom, Ewer, 
Brehmer, McNary, Hammond, Jones and D. 
C. Tiffany. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first death in the township was that 
of Mrs. Newton Parker, which occurred in 
November, 1856. The funeral sermon was 
preached by Rev. Mr. Wetzel, and it is 
believed that this was the first religious ser- 
vice held in the township. 

The first birth that occurred in the town- 
ship was that of Esther Adair, a daughter of 
Robert Adair. This took place in October, 
1855. 

The first marriage was that of Mr. Frank 
Hickok to Miss Elizabeth McCaslin, in the 
fall of 1857. D. C. Tiffany, a justice of the 
peace, performed the ceremony. 

The first school in the township was 
taught in the summer of 1857 by Miss Eliza- 
beth McCaslin. 

ORGANIZATION. 

When Steele County was organized in 



343 



iU 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



August, 1855, all of the territory which now 
comprises the eastern tier of townships 
belonged to Dodge County. Early in 1856 
a change was made in county lines and this 
tier of townships became a portion of Steele 
County. On the 6th of April, 1857, the ter- 
ritory which now comprises Ilavanna (town- 
ship 107, range 19) was set off and named 
Lafayette Township b}' the board of county 
commissioners, and its organization was 
authorized. In September, 1858, the name 
of the township was changed to Freeman, 
but in October of tlie same year the name 
was again changed, this time to Dover. 
Thus it remained until 1869 when the pres- 
ent name, " Havanna," was given to super- 
sede Dover. 

BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS 
AND PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

John Adair was born in 1818, in Islay, 
Scotland. He left there in 1848 and came 
to Canada, spending one year and a half near 
Toronto. He then came west to "Wisconsin. 
About five years later he came to Steele 
County, Minn., coming here by team from 
Racine County, Wis., and arriving July 15, 
1855. 

Henry Langerher was born in Hanover, 
Germany, September 9, 1817. In 1851 he 
came to America, locating in Illinois, where 
he remained until 1856, when he came to 
Steele County, Minn., where lie still resides. 
Mr. Langerher was united in the holy bonds 
of matrimony in 1817 to Miss Darete Schultz. 
Two children blessed their union : Lena 
(deceased) and Mena, born November 16, 
1850. Eai'ly in 1868 his wife died, and was 
buried on the farm where she had spent so 
many j^ears. In the latter part of 1868, Mr. 
Langerher was married to Miss Johanna 
Teaman. They have five children : Herman 
(deceased) , born August 15, 1869; Emma, 
born October 13, 1871 ; August, born May 9, 
1874; E vena (deceased), born March 23,1876, 
and Henry (deceased), born February 15, 
1878. In Germany Mr. Langerher was en- 
gaged at the carpentering trade, but has been 



farming since he came to America. He re- 
ceived his education in Germany where his 
parents resided until their death. He is a 
Democrat, and a member of the German 
Lutheran Church. 

Agrim Johnson was born in Norway, in 
1826. He left there for the United States in 
1854, and landed in Quebec. He remained 
there three days, then went to Stoughton, 
and later to Dar Creelv, where he remained 
two years. From there in 1856, he came to 
Steele County, Minn., where he still lives. He 
was married in 1854 to Julia Johnson, the 
fruits of their union being the following chil- 
dren : James, Ole, Betsy, Ann, Eliza, Joseph 
and John. Mr. Johnson belongs to the Luth- 
eran Church and is a prominent citizen of the 
townsliip. 

William Elhs was born in England in 1820. 
His father was a captain and boat owner, and 
William was brought up at a sea-faring life, 
serving as a sailor in the coasting trade, 
Spanish, Portugese, etc., experiencing many 
hardships and having an adventurous time. 
When twenty-five years of age he came to 
America (altiiough as a sailor he had pre- 
viously been here), and finally settled in Du 
Page County, 111. In 1856 he came to Steele 
County, arriving in June, and settled in Ha- 
vanna Township where he still lives. Mr. 
Ellis was married in 1843 to Sophia Gillot. 
Their children were : AVilliam Thomas (de- 
ceased), and William J., the latter a resident 
of Steele Count\'. 

William J. Ellis, was boi'u in Illinois in 
1850, and in 1856 he came with his parents 
to Steele County, Minn., where they have all 
since lived. William J. was married to Betsy 
Hemmerson, and they have the following- 
children : Chrissa Ann, born December 
19, 1874 ; Sophia J., born November 4, 1876 ; 
Fannie E., born August 29, 1878 ; Mary Corne- 
lia, born October 30, 1880; Charles F., born 
April 21, 1884, and William J., born INlarch 
2, 1886. In politics Mr. Ellis is a Democrat. 
He is a member of the Episcopal Church. 

Fred. Mussman was born in Hanover, 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



345 



Germany, in 1 838. He left there in 1852 and 
came to America, settling in Illinois, where 
he remained until 1856, when he came 
to Steele County, Minn., where he still 
lives. Politically Mr. Mussman was a Re- 
publican until the Greeley campaign in 1872, 
since which time he has been a Democrat. 
He was married on the 14th of September, 
1864, to Barbara Thompson. They have 
had seven children, as follows : Ferdinand, 
born October 15, 1865 ; "William, born 
January 28, 1867 (died in 1883); Lena, born 
May 12, 1869 (died in 187:^); Theodore, born 
April 10, 1871 ; Sophia and Thursta (twins), 
born April 10, 1873, and Fred., born October 
15, 1883. It should be mentioned that after 
coming to Steele County, Mr. Mussman 
worked at his trade (shoemaker) for two 
years at Hastings, Minn., but has always 
called Havanna Township his home. 

O. M. Jones was born in McHenr}' County, 
111. He left there in 1857 for Steele County, 
Minn., where he now lives. He was married 
in the year 1879 to Mary Morford. They 
have two children : Ethel, born February 7, 
1883, and William, born November 5, 1885. 
Mr. Jones' market is Havana. In political 
matters he is Republican. 

W. M. Jones was born in Pennsylvania, in 
1837. When he was four years old his par- 
ents removed to Wisconsin, and later settled 
in Illinois. In the spring of 1857 the family 
came to Steele County, Minn., where W. M. 
Jones has since lived. The father died in 
the spring of 1879. He was a man of high 
character, and held the esteem and respect of 
all who knew him. W. M. Jones was mar- 
ried in 1864 to Alvira Curtis, and they have 
three children as follows : Nellie, born in 
January, 1865; Ray, born in April, 1868, 
and Roy, born in December, 1879. Mr. 
Jones is a Republican in politics, and is one 
of the leading farmers in this part of the 
county. 

Andrew Thompson was born in Norway, 
in 1840, his parents being Lewis and Velda 
Thompson. He lived there thirteen years. 



and in 1853 settled in Dane County, Wis., 
stopping for awhile in Jefferson Count}'', 
Wis., where he worked at various pursuits. 
He made his home there, until 1857, then 
started for the west, and came to Steele 
County, Minn., settling in Havanna Town- 
ship. He was married to Anna Peterson ; 
the fruits of their union were ten children, 
six of whom are now living. 

Conrad Engbard was born in Germany in 
1833. When twenty-three years old he 
came to America, locating in Pennsylvania, 
where he lived for five years. In 1855 he 
came to Minnesota, locating in Winona. 
In 1860 he settled in Havanna Township, 
Steele County, where he still lives. In 1861 
Mr. Engbard was married to Fredarickia 
Baker. Tlie fruits of this linion were eight 
children : Augusta, born July 20, 1864 ; Au- 
gust (deceased), born August 12, 1867 ; Threse, 
born February 2, 1870 ; Charles, born Au- 
gust 28, 1872; Adolph, born March 17, 
1875 ; William and Sofa (twins), born No- 
vember 8, 1878, and Celia, born March 17, 
1882. Mr. Engbard is a Democrat in pol- 
itics, and is a member of the Lutheran 
Church. 

Geo. L. Chambers was born in the North 
of Ireland m 1825. He lived there until 
1853, then came to Washington County, N. 
Y. Remaining there four years, he then set- 
tled in Allegany County, where he was 
foreman of the Genesee Valley canal, while 
it was being constructed. In 1859 he came 
to Winona, Minn., and from there, the same 
year, came to Steele County, where he still 
lives. He was married in 1860 to Emma 
Burns. The fruits of their union were seven 
children, as follows: Belle, born July 7, 
1862; Minnie, born September 18, 1864; 
Maggie, born in July, 1867 ; Evelanderia, 
born January 16, 1872; AVilliam J., born 
March 7, 1875 ; George, born September 5, 
1877, and Frank, born June 10, 1883. Min- 
nie married Mr. E. Reynolds, principal of 
of the Appleton, Wis., high schools. Mr. 



346 



HISTORY OF STEELE COtTNTV. 



Chambers in politics is a Eepublican ; he 
belongs to the Presbyterian Church. 

William "Wagner was born in Germany in 
1834. In 1859 he came to America, locating 
in Illinois, where he remained for two years. 
He then removed to Missouri, and located 
at St. Louis where he remained for nearly 
three years. In 1863 he came to Steele 
County, Minn., locating in Havanna Town- 
ship, where he still lives, now having a 
valuable farm of 229 acres of land. Mr. 
"Wagner was married to Miss Sophia Gills, 
and they have liad five children, as follows : 
"William, Martin, Alvina, Edo and Tilda. 
In political matters Mr. "Wagner is a Demo- 
crat. 

James Cotter was bora in ISTew York; 
from there he went to Cook County, 111., 
where he lived for four years, then he went 
to AVisconsin and from there, in 1863, came 
to Steele County, Minn., where he now lives. 
He was married in 1883 to Aurelia Patter- 
son. They have six children. In politics he 
is a Democrat. 

Mrs. Anna Erdmann was born in Ger- 
many, May 14, 1842. She resided there 
until 1848 when she came to America, locat- 
ing in New York, where she remained till 
1850 ; then removed to "Wisconsin, where she 
lived for fourteen years. In 1864 she came 
to Steele County, Minn., settling in Havanna 
Township, where she still lives. On Novem- 
ber 17, 1862, she was married to Andrew 
Erdmann. The fruits of this union were 
eight children : "William, born July 26, 1863 ; 
Charles, born March '23, 1865; Mathelina 
(deceased), born July 28, 1867; Edward, 
l)orn June 24, 1870 ; Andrew, born August 
14, 1874; Caroline, born July 14, 1876; 
Mary, born July 9, 1879, and John, l)oru 
September 15, 1884. Mr. Erdmann died in 
1885 and was buried in the Havanna ceme- 
tery. He was highly respected by all who 
knew him, and his death was a sad blow to 
the faithful wife and children who were left 
to moui'n for the departed husband and 
father. Mr. Erdmann was a Democrat, be- 



longed to the Lutheran Church, and was a 
prominent man in public aifairs. Mrs. Erd- 
mann is a member of the Lutheran Church. 

John "Widrick was born in New York. 
He left there in 1862 for Minnesota, settling 
at Morristown. In 1864 he came to Steele 
County, where he now lives. He was mar- 
ried to Harriet Quackenbush. They have 
had two children, Spencer and David, one of 
whom is living. Mr. Widrick's parents were 
born in New York State. His father died 
in the year 1862 and was liuried in "Wiscon- 
sin. His mother at the j^resent time is living 
in Morristown, Minn. Mr. "V\'^idrick enlisted 
in the service at Owatonna in 1864 and was 
mustered out in 1865; he belonged to "Com- 
pany E ," whose first captain was Mr. Cor- 
kins and last captain was Mr. Bradford. He 
is a Republican. 

Andrew Anderson, deceased, was born in 
Norway in 1832. In 1856 he came to Amer- 
ica, locating in Wisconsin. In 1865, he re- 
moved to Steele Count}^, Minn., where he 
lived until his death, which occurred in the 
summer of 1887. Mr. Anderson was mar- 
ried twice ; first in 1849 to Carrie Sieve, who 
died in 1877. In 1886 he was married to 
Agnet Johnson. Mr. Anderson had six 
children, five by his first wife and one by 
the second. Their names were : Andrew, 
born in 1850 ; Siever (deceased), born in 
1852; Caroline (deceased), born in 1856; 
Betsy, born in 1859 ; Sophia, born in 1862, 
and Charles, born July 9, 1886. Mr. Ander- 
son was a Eejmblican and a member of the 
Lutheran Church. 

Isaac Jones was born in Illinois in 1844. 
He left there in 1865 for Minnesota, lived 
one year in Goodhue County, and then came 
to Steele Count}', where he still lives. He 
is a single man and is a Eepublican in pol- 
itics. 

Joseph "V^on Euden was born in Prussia, 
May 6, 1837. In 1864 he came to America, 
locating in Wisconsin, where he remained 
until 1866, when he came to Steele County, 
Minn., locating in Owatonna. There he re- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



347 



mained for three 3'ears. He then removed 
to Havanna Township, where he still resides. 
In 1868 he was married to Miss Minnie Lan- 
gerher. They are the parents of eight chil- 
dren, as follows : John, born May, 31, 1870; 
Francis, born May 30, 1872; Joseph, born 
February 20, 1874; George, born September 
20, 1875; Mary, born October 15, 1877; 
Alvenia, born September 9, 1880; Lena, 
born February 20, 1882, and William, born 
July 29, 1885. Mr. Von Ruden was engaged 
in farming in Prussia. While he resided in 
Owatonna he was engaged in the butcher- 
ing business. He received his education in 
Prussia, attending school for eight years. In 
political matters he is a Democrat, and is a 
member of the Catholic Church. His par- 
ents died in Prussia. 

Fred. Ahrens was born in Germany, June 
17, 1850. In 1867, in company with his 
parents, he came to America, coming direct 
to Steele County, Minn., where he still 
lives. Our subject was married June 6, 
1875, to Miss Dora Miller. The fruits of 
their union were five children, as follows : 
Alvina, born October 3, 1876 ; Edward (de- 
ceased), born November 21, 1871 ; Hulda, 
born December 16, 1881 ; Pertha, born 
March 28, 1883, and Mary, born September 
15, 1885. Mr. Ahrens is a strong Democrat 
in politics, and is also a member of the Lu- 
theran Church. He is one of the prominent 
citizens of the township. 

Hans N. Christenson was born in Den- 
mark, September 2, 1836. He worked at the 
shoemaker's trade until July 1, 1864, when he 
came to America, locating in Wisconsin. 
There he remained four years, when, in 1868, 
he came to Steele Counter, Minn., locating 
in Havanna Township, where he still lives. 
In 1863 he was married to Miss Matilda 
Hanson. They have been blessed with three 
children, as follows : Hans, born December 7, 
1863 ; Charles R., born September 29, 1867, 
and Peter E., born August 28, 1876. Mr. 
Christenson was the first Dane that settled 
in Havanna Township, and was the means of 



bringing thirty-two families of Danes to 
Steele County. He is a strong Republican, 
and also a member of the Lutheran Church. 

Hans Markson was ])orn in Denmark in 
1843. In 1865 he came to the United States, 
locating in Wisconsin, where he remained 
four years. In 1869 he came west to Steele 
County, Minn., where he resides at the 
present time. In 1870 he was married to 
Anna Maria Smith. They have six children : 
Mark Nelson, born October 3, 1871 ; Millde, 
born November 8, 1873 ; Alice C, born 
March 23, 1876 ; Albert, born July 18, 1878 ; 
Elnora, born September 11, 1880, and Clara, 
born April 3, 1883. In politics Mr. Markson 
is a Republican, and is also a member of the 
Lutheran Church. 

Henry Hartle was born in Worcestershire, 
England. He came to the United States in 
1869, and came direct to Steele County, 
Minn., locating upon a fine farm in Havanna 
Township, where he lived until the time of 
his death in 1878, and where his family still 
reside. Mr. Hartle was a man of high 
standing among his acquaintances, and held 
the respect and esteem of all. His remains 
were buried in Llavanna. cemetery. His wife 
was also a native of England, and she died 
in Minnesota in 1879. Their family con- 
sisted of nine children, who stiU carry on the 
place, and they are among the most prom- 
inent and well-to-do citizens of the township. 

Henry Wacker was born in Germany in 
1847. In 1867 he came to America, locating 
in Baltimore, where he remained two years. 
He then, in 1869, came to Steele County, 
Minn., where he is still living. He was mar- 
ried in 1867 to Lotta Nuller. Five children 
blessed this union, as follows: Mary, born 
November 17, 1867 ; Deetrich, born November 
20, 1869; Fred., born June 10, 1872; Louisa, 
born October 14, 1875, and Augusta, born 
December 14, 1877. Mr. Wacker \vas en- 
gaged at the blacksmith's trade in Germany 
for eighteen years. He received his educa- 
tion in Germany, where his parents resided 
until the time of their. deaths. Mr. Wacker 



348 



HISTOKY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



is a Democrat in politics and is also a prona- 
inent church member. 

B. P. Chapin, one of the prominent citizens 
of the township, was born in New York State, 
March 2, 1850. In'^ ISTO he came to Steele 
County, Minn., and located in the township 
of Havanna, where he stiU lives, carrying on 
general farming and stock-raising, having a 
well tilled fai'm of 190 acres of land. He was 
married in this county to Kate Landon in 
1877. They have three children, as follows : 
George R., born May 20, 1882; Clara, born 
April 5, 1884, and Frank, born January 11, 
1886. Mr. Chapin is a Prohibitionist in poli- 
tics, and is a member of the Free Methodist 
Church. 

Peter Jansen Sjniskov was born in Den- 
mark, May 1, 1844. In 1874 he came to Amer- 
ica. After spending one summer in Wiscon- 
sin became to Steele Countj", Minn., in 1875, 
locating in Merton Township, where he re- 
mained for live years. He then moved to 
Havanna Township, where he now lives. He 
was married in Denmark in 1871 to Miss 
Mary Yule. They have seven children : 
James P., born April 20, 1872; Christ, born 
July 24, 1874 ; Andrew P., born May 25, 1876; 
Maiy P., Ijorn ilarch, 27, 1878 ; Hans P., 
born April 9, 1880; Anna P., born April 12, 
1882, and Henry P.. l)orn June 30, 1884. 
Mr. Synskov is a Pepublican, and is a member 
of the Lutheran Church. He received his 
education in Denmark, where his parents 
lived until their deaths. 

L. L. Inman was born in New York State. 
When two years old he left there with his 



people for Bradford County, Pa., and, when 
he was eight, they removed to Wisconsin. 
He remained there until he was thirty-six 
3^ears old, when he went to Nebraska. Two 
years later, in 1875, he came to Steele 
County, Minn., where he still lives. He was 
married in 1869 to Elizabeth J. Warren. 
Their children were as follows : Bertha M., 
born ,lune 10, 1871 ; George Frederick, born 
March 8, 1875 ; Luther L., born October 31, 
1876, and John J., born July 30, 1884. 
When the war broke out Mr. Inman entered 
the service, enlisting in a cavalry brigade at 
Baraboo, Wis. He was seriously Avounded 
in the battle of Dallas ; was taken to field 
hospital ; then transferred to Nashville ; 
later to Evansville ; then to Keokuk hospi- 
tal, and was finalh' mustered out in 1865. He 
has not fully recovered from his wounds 
yet. He is a Republican in politics, and a 
member of James A. Goodwin Post, Grand 
Army of the Republic. 

Frank L. Thamert was born in Free- 
born County, Minn., September 13, 1800. In 
1876 he came to Steele County, Minn., 
where he resides at the present writing. 
Mr. Tlianiert has been engaged in fanning 
since he came here, and is one of the enter- 
prising young men of the county. He is a 
prominent politician, being a strong Demo- 
crat. Mr. Thamert has four brothers in 
Minnesota, three of them being in Steele 
County and the other one in Freeborn 
County. Mr. Thamert is one of the active 
young members of the Catholic Church of 
Owatonna. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 




AURORA TOWNSHIP. 



dark 
clays 



OWNSPIIP 106, range 19, is or- 
ganized civilly as Aurora Town- 
ship. It forms one of tbe eastern 
tier of townships in the county, 
and is bounded on the north by 
Havanna Township ; on tbe south 
by Blooming Prairie Township ; 
on the west by Somerset, and on 
the east by Dodge County. The 
soil here is made up of a rich 
loam, which is very fertile. In early 
considerable of the land here was 
marshy and wet, but in later years this has 
been making the most profitable and pro- 
ductive farming land in the county. Tlie 
other portions of the township are made up 
chiefly of oak o])enings, interspersed with 
fine tracts of prairie land, just enough un- 
dulating to make it of easy tillage. The 
population of the township in 1857 was only 
1.38, including what is now Blooming Prairie 
Township, and in 1885 this had grown to 
727. 

The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Kail- 
road traverses the townsliip. having been 
constructed through here in 1807. The 
same year a station was located here called 
Aurora. This furnishes the inhabitants with 
easy market and shipping facilities. The 
village consists of several dwellings, a sta- 
tion, Aurora postoffice, etc. In addition to 
this, the station called Pratt is located in 
the northeast corner of this township, and 
has about the same line of business as is rep- 
resented at Aurora. 

EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

The first settlement in Aurora Township 
was made on May 19, 1856, at which time 



quite a party came and selected government 
land. The party consisted of Charles and 
A. C. Adsit, George W. and B. J. Grim- 
shaw, John Ball and John Perham. None 
of these parties except Charles Adsit are 
now residents of the county, but two of 
them live in the State. A. C. Adsit is now 
assistant United States attorney of the west- 
ern district of Michigan ; John Ball became 
prominent during the war, coming out of 
service as colonel of the Eleventh Minnesota 
Regiment ; John Perham now lives in Michi- 
gan and has been a member of the Legisla- 
ture of that State several terms. 

When this party arrived in Auroi'a, May 
19, 1856, there was not a single settler 
within the limits which now comprise tlie 
township. The only traces of settlement 
was a little piece of breaking on the south- 
east quarter of section 27. A stage driver 
named Baker had taken a claim there early 
in the spring of 1856, but had made no set- 
tlement. His, it is thought, was the first 
claim taken in the township, and the only 
one prior to the arrival of the "Adsit party." 

About all of the government land was 
taken during the summer of 1866 and the 
town filled with settlers very rapidly. But 
very little was raised in the way of crops 
and vegetables, only a little sod corn and 
potatoes, and Charles Adsit sowed a little 
patch of land to oats. A severe hailstorm 
visited this portion of the county in August 
of this year, and proved disastrous in many 
instances to the few fields sown. 

Among others who settled in this town- 
ship during the years 1856 and 1857 the fol- 
lowing are remembered : A. B. Clark, John 



3i9 



350 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



George, Henry and J. S. Bixby, Oscar King, 
S. A. Sargent, Hon. Amos Coggswell, August 
Miller, Christopher Dickinson, I. D. Bee- 
man, Hon. G. C. Pettie, Moses Bentley, 
David Bentley, Mr. Hoggerfield, "William 
Depj)in, F. Ivruckerberg, Rufus Waterman, 
the Stapletons, Mr. Flynn, Mr. Grover, Mr. 
Montgomery, H. Eastman and Mr. Barrett, 
besides a number of Germans. 

Charles Adsit, one of the pioneer settlers 
of Steele County, was born in Oneida County, 
N. Y., April 29, 1833. He remained with 
his parents until twenty-three years old. 
then joined a party coming west, consisting 
of A. C. and Geo. W. Adsit, B. J. Grim- 
shaw, John Ball and John Perham, coming to 
Minnesota and taking up government land, 
our subject, Charles Adsit, locating on 
section 35, Aurora Township. Steele County, 
where he still resides. Two of the party 
still reside in Minnesota. A. C. Adsit is 
at ]5resent assistant United States attor- 
ney of the western district of Michigan. 
John Ball was colonel of the Eleventh Min- 
nesota, when tlie war closed. John Perham 
resides in Michigan and has been a member 
of the Legislature of that State several terms. 
Mr. Adsit, our sultject, was married May 10, 
1860, to Miss Jennett Woodruff, a native of 
Jefferson County, N. Y. Her parents were 
also natives of Jefferson Count}', N. Y. 
Her father, in his younger days, followed 
landscape and portrait painting and attained 
great skill in his chosen profession. Ulti- 
mately, he was connected with the Wood, 
ruff Sleej)ing Car Company, and was the in- 
ventor of the car now being used and manu- 
factured by that corporation. Mrs. Adsit 
departed this life October 2, 1878, leaving 
four children to mourn her loss: Chai'les W., 
born February 11, 1863; Will B., born March 
21, 1865; John Waldo, born December 12, 
1868, and Nettie P., born March 13, 1877. 
There were seven children, three of whom 
are dead. Mr. Adsit was the first postmas- 
ter in Aurora Township, having been ap- 
pointed in the fall of 1856, and held the office 



for fifteen years. He has also held all the 
local offices of the township at various times. 
Mr. Adsit is a Republican in politics, and is a 
representative man of the count}'. 

John Bixb}' located on section 33 in the 
fall of 1856, and is still engaged in farming 
and raising stock. He was born January 28, 
181i, in Vermont. In 1839 he left home 
and was engaged in farming in Vermont for 
twenty years. He removed to Wisconsin 
and subsequently came to Minnesota. He 
married iliss Schagel, a native of Canada, 
born April 10, 1817. They had five chil- 
dren : Jacob S., born November 8, 1840 ; 
Hattie, born September 28, 1844; Henry, 
born December 4, 1847 ; George, born June 
15, 1851, and Addie, born February 5, 1861. 
Hattie married George Curtis, a native of 
Illinois, and lives in Aurora Township. 
Henry married Miss Lydia Block, a native of 
California; they are living in New Mexico. 
George married Miss Alice P. Schagel, a 
native of Canada, and they are located in 
Aurora Township. Addie married Mr. Up- 
ham, a native of New Hampshire, who is a 
geologist in the employ of the government. 
Mr. Bixb}' is Republican in politics. His 
family are all members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. He has filled the offices 
of justice of the peace, school treasurer and 
town clerk. 

J. S. Bixby came to Steele County, Minn., 
October 24, 1856. He was born in Vermont, 
November 8, 1840. When he started in life 
for himself he engaged in farming. He en- 
listed August 11, 1862, in the Tenth Minne- 
sota Infantry, and was discharged Septem- 
ber 16, 1865. Mr. Bixby was in sixteen 
skirmishes and battles, the first one being at 
Big Mound under Gen. Sibley. The second 
battle was that of Stoney Hill. After being- 
discharged, Mr. Bixby came back to Steele 
County. He was married November 29, 
1866, to Miss Lizzie Eichlar, a native of New 
York. She died March 24, 1879, and, was 
buried at Blooming Prairie. Mr. Bixby and 
wife had five children : Katie M., born Sep- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY.. 



351 



tember 22,1869 (died February 10, 1871); 
Lottie A., born December 26, 1871 (tlied Jan- 
uar3^ 21:, 1872); Jennie S., born March 12, 
1872 ; Henry N., born May 9, 1871:, and Jes- 
sie M., born May 1, 1876. Mr. Bixby was 
married to his second wife, Miss Gertie C. 
Liveson, who was born in Norway, March 3, 
1856. They have two children : John, born 
December 26, 1882, and Jacob, born August 
16, 1885. Mr. Bixby is located on section 
34, where he is engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising. He is a Republican in 
politics. He was elected chairman of the 
board of supervisors March 20, 1862, hold- 
ing the same until in August, when he 
joined the army. In 1885 he was elected 
justice of the jseace, which office he held 
two j^ears. He has also been clerk of school 
district, and in many other ways been prom- 
inent in public affairs. 

Corydon King came to Steele County, 
Minn., in 1856. He made the first claim, south 
of what is now Rice Lake, on section 13, Ha- 
vanna Township. He remained there seven 
years, then removed to section 31 in the same 
township. In 1869 he came to Aurora Town- 
ship, and located on section 11, his present 
home. He was born May 24, 1830, in Cat- 
taraugus County, N. Y. His mother was a 
native of Massachusetts, and his father of 
Vermont. His father died in Claremont, 
Minn., in December, 1863 ; he held a com- 
mission in the war of 1812, which was signed 
by Gov. Clinton, of New York. Octo- 
ber 12, 1856, Corydon King was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary A. Bartlett, who was 
born in Maine, April 23, 1837. She is now 
deceased ; was buried in Havanna Township. 
She left one child, Augusta Belle, born Au- 
gust 25, 1857, who married Mr. Sylvester 
Bell, a native of Iowa, and now resides in 
Aurora Township. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have 
one child, Floyd Lee. Mr. King is a Demo- 
crat, and at various times has been honored 
by the nomination of his party for important 
offices. In 1871 he was elected chairman of 
the board of supervisors, and held the office 
for a number of years. 



Fred. Kruckerberg has a fine farm of 520 
acres on section 36, Aurora Townshi]!, and is 
industriously engaged in stock-raising and 
farming. He was born in Germany, March 
17, 1831 ; emigrated to America when a 
3'oung man. He married Miss Sopha Meyer^ 
a native of Germany. They have eleven 
children : Sopha, Henry, John, Fred., Wilhel- 
mine, Anna, Ernest, Ida, Lizzie, George and 
Herman. When he landed in New York he 
worked there for two months, then made his 
way to Illinois, where he labored two years, 
then removed to Steele Count\% Minn. He is 
a Republican in politics. The family are 
members of the Lutheran Church. 

David C. Hunkins is engaged in the mer- 
cantile business at Pratt Station in Aurora 
Township. He was born in New Hampshire, 
September 14, 1827, and came to Minnesota 
in the spring of 1853. He engaged in his 
present busmess in St. Paul and remained 
about a year and a half. Afterward in 1854 
he removed to Rice County, and farmed it 
for six years. He then sold his fai'm and 
moved to Medford, Steele County, Minn. ; 
opened a store which he continued there fif- 
teen years ; also was postmaster for six years. 
Then moving his family to Owatonna, he 
transferred his goods to Claremont where he 
was in business a number of years. Then for 
about five years he was in business at Owa- 
tonna, and then established a store at Pratt 
Station. December 20, 1852, he married 
Miss Weltha A. Sanborn, who was born in 
Massachusetts in 1823. They have seven 
children : George E., born March 9, 1854 ; 
William S., born December 2, 1856; Fi'ank 
A., born August 13, 1859; Josephine M., 
born March 30, 1861 ; Myra F. born April 2, 
1863 ; Adelbert B., born April 25, 1864, and 
Fred. C, born December 23, 1867. Myra is 
living at home. George married Miss Lura 
Barlow, a native of New York. They live at 
Medford. William married Miss Dora Wil- 
liamson, also a native of New York. Mr. 
Hunkins is a Republican. His family are all 
members of the Baptist Church. His parents 



352 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COPNTY. 



were Stephen S. and Hannah D. (Clark) Hun- 
kins. His father died in 1847. His mother 
still -lives with him, being eighty six years of 
age. 

George Gabriel, residing on section 36 Au- 
rora Township, was born in France, October 
13, 1832. At the age of twelve he began 
life for himself, and learned carpentering, 
wagon-making and blacksmithing, whicli he 
afterward followed in Wisconsin for ten 
years. He came from Washington County, 
Wis., to Steele County, Minn., in 1862. In 
April, 18.54 he was united in marriage to 
Miss Matilda Amy, a native of Ohio, who 
died March 29, 1878, and was buried in Au- 
rora cemetery. They liad three children : 
Madora, born July 4, 1857; LiUie, born 
August 24, 1858, and George, born January 
10, 1868. Medora, was married July 5, 
1875 to Charles F. EUis, a native of Massa- 
chusetts. LiUie and George are unmarried. 
Mr. Gabriel married his second wife, Octo- 
ber IS, 1879, Miss Martha Day, a native of 
Canada. They have three children : Matilda, 
born December 12, 1880; Elijah, born No- 
vember 5, 1881, and Kittie, born June 25, 
1884. He is a Republican in politics, has 
been school treasurer for several terms, and 
is one of the most substantial citizens of the 
township. 

J. K. Bucklin, is a well known farmer of 
Aurora Township. He is a native of Jeffer- 
son County, N. Y., born March 31, 1837, and 
came to Steele Count}', Minn., in 1864. He 
now has a fine farm on section 25, and also 
forty acres in Dodge County, on section 31. 
He was favored with a good education and 
off and on followed the profession of teach- 
ing for twenty years. He taught the first 
school in the village of Blooming Prairie 
in 18G9-70. He was married to Mrs. Au- 
gusta Pettie, a native of New York. She 
was the daughter of Diantha (Robbins) and 
AVilliam Lamphier. Her former husband 
was Hon. Geo. C. Pettie, who was born April 
23, 1828, and died January 18, 1865. He 
was a prominent man, took an active inter- 



est in the affairs of his county. He was a 
member of the first Legislature of Minnesota, 
serving in 1857-8. He was married to Miss 
Lan\[)hier October 24, 1852. They had six 
children : George R., Viola E., Willis, Ann 
J., Lewis L. and David C. George, Viola 
and Willis are married. Ann died in 
September, 1878, and was buried in Bloom- 
ing Prairie. Mr. and Mrs. Bucklin have five 
children : Wayne K., born January 21, 1868 ; 
John W., born November 30, 1870 ; Eflie M., 
l)orn January 9, 1873 ; Frank W., born Oc- 
tober 20, 1875, and Lottie E., born Decem- 
ber 5, 1880. Mr. Bucklin enlisted, August 
12, 1862, in the 5th Heavy Artillery, of New 
York (Companj' M) and was dischai-ged 
December 17, 1862, on account of disability 
contracted in the service. He Avas elected 
town clerk in 1866, serving four years. He 
was chosen justice of the peace in 1879 and 
served six years. In 1887 he was again 
elected, and still retains the office. He is a 
Republican in politics. 

Peter McCrady was born March 16, 1808, 
m Scotland. In 1867 he located on section 
15, Aurora Township, Steele Count}', Minn., 
and is engaged in stock-raising and general 
farming. His parents were natives of Ire- 
land. At the age of sixteen he left home to 
do for himself. In 1826 he enlisted in the 
British arm}', 79th Cameronian Highlanders, 
in which he served for three years. He emi- 
grated to America and located in Clinton 
County, N. Y., where he engaged in farming 
about seven years. He removed then to St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y. ; subsequently to 
McHenry County, 111. ; thence to Wisconsin, 
and finally to Steele County, Minn., as stated. 
In 1830 he married Miss Margret Nirlson, a 
native of Glasgow, who died in 1836, leaving 
two children. He was again married to 
Miss D. Blowels, a native of Montgomery 
County, N Y., who died and left five chil- 
dren. In October, 1 854, he married Miss Ellen 
Shea, a native of Ireland. They have seven 
children : Delia, Nancy, Michael, William, 
Theresa, Marian and Hellen. Delia and 



filSTORY OP STEELE COUNTY. 



353 



Nancy are married. He is a Democrat in 
politics. He has held the oflBces of justice of 
the peace and school director for the last 
sixteen years. He belongs to the Catholic 
Church, and is esteemed as an excellent 
citizen. 

George H. Curtis is one of the pioneers of 
Steele County. He is a native of Canada, 
born June 10, IS-iO. He emigrated to Rock 
County, Wis., where he worked seven 
years, and then came to Minnesota in JSTo- 
vember, 1857. He enlisted in Company A, 
Tenth Minnesota Infantry ; was under Capt. 
Ambler for one year, then under Capt. Bab- 
cock until the close of the war. The princi- 
pal battles he participated in, were Nash- 
ville, Tupello and Spanish Fort. He was 
discharged August 19, 18G5, and located on 
section 32, Aurora Township, where he lived 
five years. He then moved to Owatonna, 
and engaged in collecting; from there 
removed to Blooming Prairie, where he en- 
gaged in the hardware and machinery busi- 
ness. After six months he sold out to D. 
Giddings, and removed to his present home, 
where he carries on stock-raising and general 
farming. He was married to Miss Hattie M. 
Bixby, who was born in Canada, September 
28, 18J:4. They have four children : Fred. E., 
born November 13, 1866 ; Frank H., born 
March 18, 1871 ; Herbert E., born March 24, 
1873, and Walter N., born June 23, 1876. 
Mr. Curtis belongs to the Grand Army of 
the Kepublic, and is a Republican in politics. 
He has held the office of assessor, took the 
United States census in 1880, and in other 
ways taken an active part in public matters. 

Jonas G. McLoud is located on section 33. 
He was born in Vermont, August 0, 1821, 
He left home at fourteen, to do for himself, 
working on different farms. August 18, 
1862, he enlisted in Compan^'^ G, Fourth Ver- 
mont, and was discharged June 29, 1865. Mr. 
McLoud was taken prisoner June 23, 1864, 
at Petersburg, and i-ealized all the horrors 
of Richmond, Libby, Belle Isle and Anderson- 
ville prisons. He was released December, 



1864. He then returned to Vermont and re- 
mained until 1868, when he came to Steele 
Counter, Minn. He was joined in marriage 
October 13, 1839, to Miss Abbie Ann Morey, 
a native of Vermont, who died of consump- 
tion, in Burlington, Vt., leaving six children : 
Henry H., Mai'illa G., Clarissa, Lucina, Sam- 
uel and Mary. On December 20, 1851, he 
married Mrs. M. Fisher, who was born 
March 21, 1813, her first husband having 
died March 7, 1845, leaving two children. 
Mr. McLoud has three children by this union : 
Abbie Ann, Phila P. and George W. Their 
daughter, Abbie, married Henry Henderson, 
and resides in California; George W., mar. 
ried Miss Clara Ellis, a native of Illinois, and 
lives in Clinton Falls Township. Phila mar- 
ried Warren Reynolds, of AVisconsin, and 
they also live in Clinton Falls Township. 
Mr. McLoud is a Democrat in politics. 

Henry J. Cassidj' purchased his present 
home on section 30, in Aurora Township, in 
1882, andis now engaged in general farming. 
He was born in Kenosha Cit}^ Wis., August 
31, 1853, and came to Steele Count}^ Minn., 
June 1, 1870. He settled in Lemond Town- 
ship, where he lived twelve years ; then sold 
out and went to Dakota, where he was en- 
gaged in shipping horses. His parents lo- 
cated in Somerset Township, Steele County, 
where his father's death occurred October 
24, 1878. He was buried in the Owatonna 
cemetery. His mother still lives in Owaton- 
na. Henry J. Cassidy was united in marriage 
to Miss Mary A. McCauley, who was born in 
Ireland, January 4, 1854. They are blessed 
with three children : Ellen, born May 29, 1SS5; 
Alice, born April 30, 1886, and Henry James, 
born April 19, 1887. Mr. Cassidy is a Dem- 
ocrat, and belongs to the Catholic Church. 

W. C. Lieb is the jjresent postmaster and 
station agent at Pratt's Station in Aurora 
Township. He was born in Germany, June 
3, 1849, and came to Minnesota in 1S80. He 
remained in Owatonna for a few months, 
then removed to Somerset Station, which was 
afterward named Pratt. He has held his 



354 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



present position since 1882. In 1876 he mar- 
ried Miss Matilda Schofferle, who was born 
in Austria, June 6, 1859. They liave four 
children : William, born July 1, 1877 ; George, 
born October 28, 1879 ; Charlotte, born May 
26, 1882, and Eva, born December 19, 1884. 
Mr. Lieb is a Eepublican in political matters. 
His family are members of the Lutheran 
Church. 

Christian Johnson is located on section 14, 
Aurora Township. He was born in Denmark, 
July 9, 1859, and emigrated from Denmark 
in 1878 to Owatonna, Steele County, Minn., 
where he remained a few months. He then 
went to Havanna and spent two years, at 
which time he settled on his present place. 
He was married to Miss Emma Ene-elkino:, 
who was born in Illinois,. March 11, 1866. 
They have two children : Clara Florence, born 
July 18, 1884, and Luella Emily, born March 
6, 1886. Mr. Johnson is a Republican in poli- 
tics. The family belong to the Seventh-day 
Adventists. 

EARLY EVENTS. 

The first birth in the township was that 
of Gr. E. Dickinson, a son of Christopher 
Dickinson and wife, born February 23, 1857. 
The boy grew to manhood, and is now a 
druggist at Nunda, 111. 

The second birth occurred on the 6th of 
March, 1857, when Helen, a daughter, was 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Amos Coggswell. 

The first marriage of residents of the 
township was that of David Bentley to Jane 
Hill, which occurred as early as 1858. The 
couple borrowed Mr. Stapleton's yoke of 
oxen and went to Owatonna, where the cer- 
emony was performed. 

Another early marriage was that of Joseph 
Branning and Miss Laura Pettie, July 7, 
1861. They were married in Winona 
County. 

The first death was tliat of Mrs. Stephen 
A. Sargent, which occurred on the 1st of 
September, 1856. The funeral services were 
conducted by Rev. Harvey Chapin. This 



was the first religious service in the town- 
ship. 

The first school was taught in the summer 
of 1858, in a log schoolhouse near Amos 
Coggswell's, by Miss Jane Arnold, afterward 
Mrs. W. Odell, of Owatonna. There are 
now seven schools located in the township. 

Charles Adsit and G. W. Grimshaw built 
the first house and done the first breaking 
in the township. The house was built on 
Charles Adsit's land. The breaking was 
begun on the line between their claims. 

The first postofiice in the township was 
established at the residence of Charles Adsit, 
in September, 1856, under the name of 
Aurora. It was moved into Oak Glen 
Township, then back to Mr. Adsit's place, 
where it remained for some fourteen j^ears, 
and was finally located at Aurora station, 
where it still remains. John J. Guthrie 
is the present postmaster. Charles Adsit 
planted the first corn and potatoes in the 
township. 

Pratt postoffice- was established later. 
W. C. Lieb is the present postmaster. 

ORGANIZATION. 

When Steele County was organized in the 
summer of 1855, the territoiy which now 
forms the eastern tier of townships was a 
part of Dodge County, and it did not be- 
come connected with Steele County until 
February, 1856. On the 6th of April, 1857, 
the board of county commissioners set off 
township 106, range 19, named it Aurora, 
and authorized its organization. The first 
election was held at the house of A. B. 
Clark on section 22. The organization of 
the township was not full}' perfected until 
the 11th of May, 1858, when a full set of 
officers were elected. 

One incident in relation to detaching this 
tier of township from Dodge and annexing 
it to Steele County is remembered. The 
territory was annexed to Steele County in 
February, 1856, and in the winter of 1856-7. 
Dodge County parties came through Aurora 
with a petition, asking tliat the territory be 




"- ^ST-""^' 




^^^^V/'^ZA 




^^LA.A^^<^ 



HISTOKY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



357 



re-attached to Dodge. About all the citi- 
zens of Aurora refused to sign the petition ; 
but at the following session of the Legisla- 
ture the same petition was presented, and 
strange to say, it appeared signed by nearly 
all the citizens of Aurora, some one having 
forged them. 

The official history of the township has 
been" uneventful, the oflRces having without 



exception always been filled by capable and 
honest men. 

The present officers of the township (1887) 
are as follows : Supervisors, Patrick Keenan ; 
chairman, Frank McCauley and Tver Ander- 
son ; assessor, Ole Prestagaard ; treasurer, 
August Lindsey ; clerk, J. J. Guthrie ; jus- 
tices, P. McCrady and J. K. Bucklin ; con- 
stable, John Hogan. 




CHAPTER XXVII. 



SOMERSET TOWNSHIP. 




HIS civil township embraces con- 
g-ressional township 106, range 20. 
It is bounded on the north by the 
township of Owatonna ; on the 
east by Aurora ; on the south by 
Summit and on the west by Le- 
niond. Straight River traverses 
tlie western portion of the town- 
ship and Turtle Creek flows across 
the northern poi-tion. The river is fringed by 
a moderately heavy belt of timber, and 
lieavy timber extends from Turtle Creek 
northward. Originally about all of the town- 
ship was made up of timber and oak open- 
ings. The timber is composed mainly of 
oak, pop]ile, black oak, and a little black wal- 
nut. The soil is generally a black loam, 
which is rich and fertile, and very productive, 
being well adapted for raising all the cereals 
common to this latitude. The population 
here is mixed, the present settlement being 
principally composed of Germans, Bohemians 
and a few Irish, Americans, Scandinavians, 
and other nationalities. The earlier settlers 
were mainly Americans. In 1857 the town- 
ship had a population of 207. In 1885 this 
had grown to 833. 

EARLY SETrLEMENT. 

The earliest settlement in Somerset of 
which we can find any trace was made in 
1855 by Thomas Thompson, who located on 
section 1. He remained here until 1881 when 
he removed to near Fargo. He erected the 
first log cabin in the township, and was the 
only settler who came that year. 

In 1856, — on May 27, — three brothers, 
Levi, William and Albert Bailey came, and 



Levi took his claim on the 1st of June. Dur 
ing the same year the following named all 
came : Jesse Healey, William B. Higgins, 
Jacob J. Harris, Thomas Kenyon, E. Lagro, 
Joseph Irvin, Dexter Smith, O. Fisher, Charles 
Dunster, J. Leslie, Cornelius Dunham, Mr 
Hartshorn, Samuel Greenwood, C. Borchart^ 
F. Borchart, H. Borchart, Charles Wilcox, 
Phelps Case, William Case, George Vincent, 
Gilbert Gross, Calvin Gross, Oscar Gross, 
Daniel Gross, Elias Hahn, T. J. Clark, O. A. 
Barnes, David Barnes, Henry and John Cat- 
lin, Charles Ellison, Charles R. Knowlton, 
John A. Knowlton, Warren Fisher, James E. 
Hughes, T. C. Minthorn and others. 

Nearly all the settlers of that year in Som 
erset were natives of New York, Pennsyl. 
vania, Wisconsin or the New England States. 

The township filled up very rapidl}' and 
nearly all of the choice government land 
was taken was during 1856. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first marriage in the township occur- 
red in July, 1858. The parties were Alex- 
ander Hissam and Miss Rachel Bill. 

The first birth in the township was a 
daughter, Ellen, born to Mr. and Mrs. T. 
Jefferson Clark, in 1856. 

The second birth in the township occurred 
on the 11th of April, 1857, when John J. 
Healej', a son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Healey, 
was born. 

The first death in the township was that 
of Mr. Manna Case, which occurred in July, 
1858. 

The first school was taught in the summer 
of 1850 by Miss Phoebe Kenyon, in the attic 



358 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



359 



of the residence of Dr. Thomas Kenyon, and 
by vh"tue of the elevated position of the 
I'oora it was denominated the " high school." 

The first schoolhouse was erected in dis- 
trict No. iO, in 1857, and Eliza Sawyer 
taught the first school in the house. Thei'e 
are now six school districts in the township. 

The first postofflce in the township was 
established in 1857 with Dr. Thomas Ken- 
yon as postmaster. It was then called Som- 
erset PostofSce. Succeeding Dr. Ken3'on 
the following were postmasters in the order 
named : Charles Ellison, Mr. Bill, Dr. W. H. 
Twiford, Lewis Robinson, "W. R. Catlin and 
D. M. Smith. The last named is the present 
postmaster. A number of years ago the 
name of the office was changed to '• River 
Point," which it still retains. 

A postofflce was establislied a number of 
years ago under the name of " Steele Center." 
M. D. "Whitman is the present postmaster of 
this office. 

VILLAGES. 

A village called " Somerset " was platted 
on section 20 in this township, in 1856, by 
John and William Catlin and Charles Ellison. 
They divided a forty-acre tract into streets, 
lots and blocks, and the establishment of a 
postofflce under the name of Somerset was 
secured. A store building was erected but 
was never occupied as a store, and finally, 
after considerable efl'ort on the part of those 
interested, the project was abandoned and 
the site reverted to farm property. 

In 1857 a village named " Elmira " was 
laid out on section 18 near the township line 
by Thomas Twiford, who platted about 
eighty acres of land. A company was 
formed through wliich a dam was thrown 
across Straight Rivei- and a sawmill was 
erected. A frame hotel was erected, whicli 
in those days was considei'ed a credit to 
the county. Mr. Twiford also established 
a store. An earnest and determined effort 
was made to start a town here, and con- 
siderable stress was laid upon the pros- 



pects of the embryo city as to county- 
seat honors. Five or six thousand dollars 
was expended in placing the village on a 
good foundation ; but as it failed to get the 
railroad, the proprietor gave up ho^ie and 
finally vacated the plat. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Wlien Steele County was organized in 
August, 1855, the territory which now forms 
Somerset became a part of Owatonna Town- 
ship. It remained in this connection until 
April 6, 1857, when the board of county 
commissioners set off and authorized the or- 
ganization of Somerset. The act was re- 
peated in the spring of 1858. A complete 
organization was not effected until the 11th 
of May, 1858, when a full list of offlcers 
was elected including T. C. Minthorn, chair- 
man of su))ervisors, and W. H. Sherman, 
town clerk. Among others who, in early 
days, were prominent in township affairs 
and held important township offices, were : 
Thomas Thompson, W. H. Sherman, J. W. 
Doolittle, Seth Hotchkiss, Thomas Kenyon, 
H. M. Bill, F. B. Doolittle, Augustus Theile, 
Dexter Smith, Phelps Case, Manley Curtis, 
Charles Ellison and John Anderson. 

The present officers of the township are 
as follows : Supervisors, W. A. Pratt, 
chairman, James J. Healey and James Mar- 
ion Jr.; clerk, Jacob J. Harris ; assessor, L. 
F. Pike ; treasurer. Dexter Smith ; justice of 
the peace, L. F. Pike. 

A REMINISCENCE. 

Dexter Smith, Esq., in 1868, wrote the 
following in regard to the history of this 
township : " The prevailing characteristics of 
the inhabitants are honesty, industry and in- 
pendence in thougiit and deed. The medical 
profession was at one time represented by 
Drs. Thomas Kenyon and W. H. Twiford, 
but owing to the 'alarming healthfulness ' of 
this locality their 'pill bags' were early con- 
signed to the cabinet of antediluvian curiosi- 
ties, and the}^ took to farming as a more 
lucrative business. Dr. Twiford however, 



360 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



aftei'ward resumed practice and now has an 
extensive business at Geneva, Minn. The 
legal -profession, has no representative; the 
people have too much sense to spend their 
substance in litigation for the benefit of that 
fraternity. 

" The pioneers in this town were without 
exception poor men, and suffered all the pri- 
vations incident to the opening up of a new 
country. For several years our wardrobes 
and larders seldom contained anything but 
the absolute necessaries of life ; and I might 
cite 3'ou to moi'e than one case where to 
' keep the wolf from the door,' we subsisted 
ourselves and our little ones, on forage only 
suited to the cattle on the hills; but in hope 
and faith, and trust in the promises, and the 
vigorous strokes of our good right arms, we 
struggled on, and the seasons as they came 
and went never wholly failed to leave some 
token for the encouragement of renewed 
effort." 

EAELY SETPLEKS AND PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

Levi Bailey was born in Pennsylvania, 
October 17, 1832. His parents w^ere also 
natives of Pennsylvania, and were engaged 
at farming. Tiiey had five children, Levi 
being the oldest. He took his claim in Steele 
County, Minn.. June 1, 1856, where he still 
resides. In August, 1853, Mr. Bailey was 
married to Miss Sarah Card, who was born 
in Pennsylvania, August 11, 1832. They 
have twelve children : Leander, born April 
4, 1854; Melvin, born September 3,1855; 
Edgar, born September 2, 1857; Ahce, born 
January 24. 1859 ; Maria, born Marcli 15, 
1860; Ida, born October 3, 1861; Nelson, 
born June 29, 1863 ; Hiram, born March 15, 
1865; Lemuel, born Decemljer 21, 1867; 
Cleos, born September 8, 1869; Elmer, born 
August 11, 1870, and Fred, born April 30, 
1875. Alice, Maria, Ida and Nelson are 
mari'ied. Mr. Bailey is a Republican in pol- 
itics. He has been supervisor of the town- 
ship for six years ; he has also been school 
district treasurer of district No. 12 for six- 



teen years, and he still holds the office, and 
in many ways has been prominent in public 
affairs. Mr. Bailey is at present engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising, devoting 
his attention chiefly to short-horned Durham 
cattle and Percheron horses. He has two 
half-blooded Percheron stallions and some 
six or eight half-blooded Percheron mares. 
His cattle grade from one-half to seven- 
eighths short horn. He also does an exten- 
sive business in Cotswold sheep, and is 
among the most prominent stock-raisers in 
the county. 

Jesse Healey was born in England, Feb- 
ruary 18, 1832. When nineteen years of 
age he came to America, locating in Jeffer- 
son County, N. Y., where he engaged in 
farming for two years. He then came to 
Wisconsin, where he remained for two years. 
In 1856 Mr. Healey came to Steele Countj', 
Minn., locating on his })resent place on sec- 
tion 21, Somerset Township, where he is still 
carrying on general farming and stock-rais- 
ing. Mr. Healey was united in marriage to 
Miss Mary Lee, who was born in Ireland, 
December 21, 1834. They have four chil- 
dren : James Harris, born September 8, 1855; 
John Jesse, born April 11, 1857; Geoi-ge 
Jacob, born August 29, 1858, and Mary Ann, 
born November 29, 1859. In 1878 James 
married Miss Martha Thompson, a native of 
Iowa. They located at once in Somerset 
Township, where they engaged in farming. 
They have two children: Lawrence and 
Laura. George was married in 1886 to iliss 
Mary A. Marion, also a native of Iowa. They 
reside in Somerset Townshij), and are also 
engaged in farming. Mary was united in 
marriage in June, 1885, to Mr. James Marion, 
of Iowa. They are at present i-esiding in 
Somerset Township engaged in farming. 
Jesse Healey, our subject, is a Republican in 
politics. He lias been chairman of the town 
board. He was elected as one of the county 
commissioners in 1881 ; reelected in 1884, 
and served till 1887. Mr. Healey has also 
been treasurer of his township, besides hold- 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



3fil 



ing many other local offices, and has always 
taken a prominent part m public affairs. 

Dexter Smith, one of the pioneer settlers 
of Somerset Township, was born in New 
York, September 13, 1822. His father was 
a native of Massachusetts, and his mother a 
native of New Jersey. Mr. Smith left home 
at the age of twenty-one to care for himself. 
After teaching school for eight years, he en- 
gaged in farming, which business he still fol- 
lows. In 1856 Mr. Smith located on section 21, 
in Somerset Township, Steele County, Minn., 
where he still lives. He has been twice mar- 
ried. First on November 19, 18-48, to Miss Jane 
McMillen, who was born in Ohio in 1830, 
and is now deceased. She left three children : 
D wight, born March 21 , 1850; Abbie, born 
January 5, 1853, and Hortense, born Janu- 
ary 22, 1858. Mr. Smith was again married, 
October 14, 1859, to Miss Berthania Butter- 
field, a native of New York. They have one 
child, Dexter M., born September 19, 1862. 
In 1876 Dwight was married to Miss Annie 
Stewart, a native of Wisconsin. They reside 
at present in Dakota. They have three 
children. Abbie married Walter Kenyon, a 
native of New York, They have one child, 
Robert B. Their home is in Big Stone 
Count\', Minn. Hortense was married in 
1883, to Alexander Young. They reside in 
Dakota. Dexter Smith, our subject, is a 
Prohibitionist in politics. He has been a 
member of the town board for four years ; is 
at present town treasurer, and has taken an 
active interest in public matters, all through 
the many years he has lived here. 

Oscar Gross was born in Pennsylvania, 
December 3, 1836. His father was a native 
of Vermont, and his mother a native of New 
York. His father was a farmer. Oscar 
Gross came to Steele County, Minn., in 1856, 
locating on section 9, in this township. In 
May, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, First 
Minnesot'a (Second Army Corps), and was 
discharged in September, 1861. He was un- 
der Capt. McKune for some three months, 
afterward under Capt. Messick. Mr. Gross 



participated in the battle of Bull Run, where 
he received three gun-shot wounds in the 
left limb, hip and arm. After having the 
main arter\' of his arm severed, he walked 
some thirty-six miles before he could receive 
the necessarj' medical treatment. He then 
entered the hospital. After being discharged 
he returned to Steele County, Minn., locating 
again on section 16, where he had moved be- 
fore enlisting. He has since resided in Somer- 
set Township, on the same section. Mr. Gross 
was married April 7, 1863, to ]\Iiss Mary 
P. Stewart, who was born in Canada, July 
25, 1843, her parents being natives of New 
York, They have three children : Carrie, 
born Ma}' 15, 1864; Julia, born March 27, 
1867, and Daniel, born May 19, 1870. Julia, 
married L. P. Clements, a native of Wiscon- 
sin, and they reside in St. Paul. Carrie mar- 
ried Henry Langdon, a native of Franklin 
County, N. Y. They are located in Wis- 
consin. Daniel is living at home. Mr. 
Gross is a Republican in politics, and also 
belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, 
at Owatonna. 

Gilbeit Gross was born in New York, 
June 20, 1830. His parents, Daniel and 
Maria Gross, were natives of New York. In 
July, 1856, Gilbert came to Steele County, 
Minn., where he has since been engaged 
in general farming. In his father's family' 
there were four children, three boys and one 
girl: Calvin, Gilbert, Oscar and Malvina. 
Malvina married Chester Newton, a native 
of Ohio. Oscar has already been mentioned. 
Gilbert Gross was married May 2, 1852, to 
Miss Sarah Y. Wall, a native of Ohio, who 
was born June 18, 1830. They have seven 
children, as follows : Adaline, born July 31, 
1853; Gilbert, born February 13, 1855; 
Perrjr, born September 12, 1857; Wallace, 
born March 5, 1859 ; Adalade, born Feb- 
ruary 6, 1862 ; Martin, born May 22, 1867, 
and Henry, born March 17, 1872. Three of 
them are living at home, Adaline, Adalade 
and Gilbert being married. Mr. Gross 
enlisted December 1, 1863, in the Second 



362 



HIST(1RY OF STEELE COUNTT. 



Minnesota Cavalry, and was discharged 
November 21, 1865. He is a Democrat in 
politics ; was elected school director in 1866 
and served one year, and has been other- 
wise active in local matters. 

Jacob J. Ilari'is, one of the most promi- 
nent citizens of Somerset Township, is a 
native of the town of Hounsfield, Jeflferson 
County, N. Y., his birthday being Decem- 
ber 23, 1834. His ancestors were English, 
and his forefathers for four or five genera- 
tions back had borne the name of John 
Harris. His father, John Harris, was born 
at Hanley, Parish of Witnej^ Oxfordshire, 
England, on the 10th of March, 1810. He 
grew to manhood there, and about 1832 was 
united in marriage to Ann Faulks, who was 
the mother of the subject of this sketch. 
John Harris learned the trade of a " mill- 
wright," and worked in and about the 
famous "Witney mills during his younger 
days, early in this centur\'. In the summer 
of 1834 he came to America with his family 
and located in the town of Hounsfield, Jef- 
ferson County, N. Y. He continued at his 
trade in that portion of the countr}', working 
in the mills at Oswego, "Washingtonville, 
Camps mills, Brownsville, and erected a mill 
at AVolfe Island, Canada. He moved the 
family from Hounsfield to Stoney Island, at 
the foot of Lake Ontario, remained there 
about two years, then located at Point 
Peninsula, in the same county. Here they 
remained for a number of years, then re- 
moved to Dexter, at the foot of Black River, 
and after a number of years settled at Wolfe 
Island, where they were living when the 
father died, in June, 1882. In the meantime 
the family had been growing in size, as tiieir 
union had resulted in the following sons and 
daughters : Caroline, a daughter, was born 
in England, January 10, 1834; she married 
John Fawdrey, and they are now living in 
the town of Iloiinsfield, Jeflferson County, 
N". Y. John Jacob (or Jacob J.), the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was born in Hounsfield, 
N. Y., December 23. 1834; now a resident 



of Somerset Township. Luther, born Sep- 
tember 26, 1836, and now living on the old 
homestead on Long Island, the mother living 
with him ; Christopher, born May 24, 1838, 
now living at Dog Lake Mills, Canada ; 
Maria Amelia, born November 23, 1839, 
now Mi's. James Hunter, living at Lake 
Opinecon, Canada ; William, born January 
10, 1841, died on Long Island when about 
thirty -five years of age. This comprises the 
father's family. 

Jacob J. Harris remained at home until 
sixteen years of age, working the farm — all 
labor and little or no schooling being his 
lot. During these years times were very 
hard, money was scarce and as is usual in 
such times, the more mouths in a family to 
feed and the more bodies to clothe, the 
heavier is the burden thrown upon the 
father. Realizing this, in about the year 
1850, Jacob Harris set out to provide for 
himself, his worldly possessions consisting of 
a home-made suit of clothes and one of the 
old " thin York shillings " in his pocket ; but 
he had a stout heart and willing hands. 
Within a few days he brought up at Sack- 
ett's Harbor, where he got a place as com- 
mon sailor on board the sailing vessel " Her- 
bridge," and began life on his own account 
as a sailor on the great lakes. He remained 
with that vessel until it was burned at 
Oswego, July 6, 1851. He continued for 
ten years to sail in different vessels, some- 
times as a sailor and again as mate, now on 
a sailing vessel and again on a propeller. 
Late in the "fifties," getting tired of work- 
ing for others, Jacob, in company with his 
oldest brothers, built a sailing vessel. He 
afterward purchased his brothers' interests 
and operated the vessel for nearly seven 
years, when he sold out. He soon built 
another sailing vessel, the " Mary Fox," 
which he owned and commanded for seven 
years," and then sold it. In the meantime, 
in 1856, he had left his vessel long enough 
to come out to Steele County, Minn., and 
preempted 160 acres of land on section 22, 



HISTORY OF STEELE CO0NTY. 



363 



Somerset Township. Occasionally, during 
these j'ears, he had been here, but only re- 
mained a short time. After selling the 
" Mary Fox," Capt. Harris decided to live 
for a time upon land instead of water, and 
accordingly on the lith of May, 1874, he 
moved to Minnesota, and on that day located 
upon his farm in the town of Somerset, 
having all these years held his land. On 
the 30th of August, 1871, he had married 
Mrs. Catherine Harkin, widow of William 
Harkin, whose maiden name was Catherine 
Miller. She had two children by her first 
marriage : Sarah Jane, who is now Mrs. 
AVilliam MuUenhaeur, a resident of section 
16, Somerset Township, and Lizzie, now 
Mrs. Dwight Hunter, of Medford Township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Harris still live upon their 
farm in Somerset Township, and are widely 
known and resjiected. The farm is among 
the best in the township, fitted with its 
large red barns, capacious granaries and ele- 
gant and comfortable dwelling. While 
abundantly able to rest from their labors, 
yet they continue from force of habit to 
sow and reap. Mr. Harris has been promi- 
nent in all public matters, and is the present 
clerk of the township. 

Dr. Thomas Kenyon, deceased, was born 
in New York, November 29, 1812. His par- 
ents were natives of New York and followed 
farming. There were thirteen children, 
Thomas being the oldest. Our subject came 
to Steele County, Minn., in 1856, and lo- 
cated on section 20, in Somerset Township, 
where he engaged in farming and the prac- 
tice of medicine. He was married August 
18, 1833, to Miss Mary Smith, who was born 
in New York, August 14, 1818. Her par- 
ents were also natives of New York. Dr. 
Kenj'on and wife were the parents of ten 
children : Marion, Phebe, Eliza, Edgar, 
Lois, Walter, Willis, Frank, Darwin and 
Fred. Marion married J. Clark, a native of 
Pennsylvania ; Phebe, married Geo. Crooker. 
of Owatonna ; Eliza married L. Eobinson, 
also of Owatonna; Edgar married Miss Al- 



lecia Twiford, a native of Indiana; Lois 
married S. Anderson, also of Indiana; Wal- 
ter married Miss Abbie Smith, of New York, 
and Willis married Miss Ann Swezel, a na- 
tive of Minnesota ; Frank married Miss 
Sarah Hurlbert, a native of Missouri; Fred, 
married Miss Minnie Swezel. Dr. Kenyon 
followed farming and the practice of medi- 
cine until his death, which occurred April 
17, 1882. Pev. Tanner, of Owatonna, 
preached his funeral sermon, which was held 
in the Bailey schoolhouse and was largelj' 
attended. He was buiied in Somerset Town- 
ship. He was a man highly respected by 
all who knew him, and in his death Steele 
Count\' lost one of its most prominent citi- 
zens. His widow still survives him. 

John J. Graif was born in Chicago, 111., 
October 29, 1854. His parents were Mr. 
M. and Tracia (Hackle) Graif. Mr. Graif 
Sr. and family came to Steele County, Minn., 
at an earljr day, locating on section 8, Som- 
erset Township, engaging in general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, which business they 
have since followed. John J. Graif was 
married July 12, 1881, to Miss Mary A. 
Frenen, a native of Oshkosh, Wis. They 
have one child, Mary, born March 15, 1886. 
Mr. Graif is a Democrat in politics. The 
family are members of the Catholic Church. 

William Addison Pratt was born in Stock- 
bridge, Windsor County, Vt., November 20, 
1829. His parents were Liberty and Mary 
Pratt, both natives of Massachusetts, his 
father being a farmer. There were four 
children in the father's family : Martha, 
Caroline, Lucy and William. The three 
sisters are dead, William Ijeing the only 
living child. His mother died during the 
year 1847, and his father in 1873. Wm. A. 
left home when about seventeen years of 
age to care for himself. He served as an ap- 
prentice for three years at the shoemaker's 
trade, driving a team on the road during the 
summer months. He was married Novem- 
ber 4, 1853, to Miss Sarah Gertrude Seger, 
who was born in Vermont, October 23. 



364 



HISTORY OF STEEI.K COUNTY. 



1829. Her parents were natives of Vermont 
and Connecticut, and there were seven chil- 
dren in her father's family. Mr. and Mrs. 
Pratt had five children : Mary Susan, born 
December 15, 1856; Frank A. (deceased), 
born December 30, 1858; Vinton W. (de- 
ceased), born December 31, 1860; Carrie S., 
born June 18, 1866, and Kay A., born 
August 25, 1868. Mary was married Feljru- 
ary 2, 1876, to Mr. McDougall, of Green 
Bay, Wis. They have four children : Effie, 
born June 9, 1877; Edith, born January 20, 
1879; Roy, born September 15, 1880, and 
Eoss, born November 12, 1885. William A. 
Pratt came to Steele County, Minn., June 
18, 1860, and located on section 12, Somerset 
Township, where he still lives. He is a Re- 
publican in politics; has been chairman of 
the board of town supervisors for six 
yeai's, besides having been supervisor a num- 
ber of times before. Mr. Pratt has h'eld the 
office of school district director and clerk 
for some fifteen years, and has taken an 
active part in public matters.. 

Julius Kabage, a prominent farmer located 
on section 22, Somerset Township, was born 
in Sac County, Wis., November 1, 1855. His 
parents were natives of Prussia. His father 
died in May, 1876, in Steele County, Minn., 
and his mother is still living. Our subject, 
at the age of twentj^-two, left home to make 
his own way in the world, and located on a 
farm in Owatonna Township, Steele County, 
Minn., in November, 1861. After remaining 
there for some time he moved to Somerset 
Township. Mr. Kabage was married June 
24, 1877, to Miss Barbara Kovars, a native 
of Bohemia. Her mother is dead, and her 
father is still living. There were eight chil- 
dren in hei' father's family. Mr. Kabage and 
wife have six children: Henry, born Decem- 
ber 26, 1878 ; Mary, born January 20, 1880 ; 
Josephine, born February 28, 1881 ; Katie, 
l)orn June 24, 1882 ; Joseph, born October 
26, 1883, and Rosia, born May 20, 1884, all 
of whom are living at home. i\[r. Kabage is 
a Republican in politics and a member of the 
Catholic Church. 



John L. Turk was born in Prussia, Novem- 
ber 1. 1836. His parents were also natives of 
Prussia. There were nine children in his 
father's family, six of whom are living at the 
present time. Two reside in Prussia, the 
other four live in America. Mr. Turk came 
to America June 6, 1864, and after remain- 
ing a few days in Baltimore and Chicago, 
came to La Crosse where he remained from 
June 16, until the following- December. He 
then came to Steele County, Minn., locating 
in Owatonna, December 21, 1864. After re- 
maining there for two years, he removed to 
Somerset Township, locating on section 16, 
where he has since remained, engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. He has at the 
present time a good farm of 192 acres. Mr. 
Turk was married June 8, 1868, to Miss Hen- 
rietta Chandler, a native of Prussia, who 
died, leaving one child : Willie, born August 
18, 1869. Mr. Turk's second wife was Miss 
Augusta Miller, who was born in 1851. They 
have five children : John, Eda, Bettie, Celia 
and Huldah. Mr. Turk is a Democrat in 
politics, and he and his family l)elong to the 
Lutheran Church. 

Frederick E. Degner, came to Steele 
County, Minn., in 1865. He was born in 
Pru.ssia, April 4, 1838. His father was a 
shoemaker in Prussia. Fred. E. Degner left 
home when about eighteen years of age, and 
came to America in 1855, locating in Wiscon- 
sm, where he was engaged in farming until 
August 16, 1862, when he enlisted in Com- 
pany H, Twenty -third Wisconsin Infantry. 
July 25, 1865, he was discharged, having par- 
ticipated in the battles of Fort Hineman, 
Vicksburg, Mobile and Spanish Fort. After 
the close of the war Mr. Degner came to 
Steele County, Minn., locating on section 11, 
Somerset Township, where he has since re- 
mained, engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ing. Mr. Degner was married November 19, 
1868, to Miss Marv Elizabeth Grass, a native 
of Denmark. They have six children : Mary 
Ida, born December 13, 1869 ; Albert Will- 
iam, born February 12, 1872 ; Augusta 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



365 



Ellen, born October 14, 1874; Ernest Otto, 
born April 30, 1877 ; George Edward, born 
December 7, 1882, and Alma Julia, born July 
4, 1886, all of whom are living at home. 
Mr. Degner is a Kepnblican in politics, and is 
one of Somerset's most prominent men. He 
has been chairman of the town board one 
year, town supervisor four years, and also 
school director of district twenty-five for nine 
years, and still holds that office. Mr. Degner 
and family are members of the Lutheran 
Church. 

Elias Hahn came to Steele County, Minn., 
in June, 1856. He was born in Ohio, Sep- 
tember 19, 1828, his pai'ents being William 
and Marj' (Centz) Hahn, natives of Mary- 
land. There were nine children in his 
father's family, all of whom were farmers. 
Our subject, Elias, when twenty-one years 
of age, began life for himself, learning and 
working at the carpenter's trade for seven 
years. He then came to Minnesota, locating 
at Northfield, where he remained for one 
year. He then, in 1856, came to Steele 
County, locating on section 3, Somerset 
Township, where he has since lived, engaged 
in general farming. Mr. Hahn was married 
August 21, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Hahn, 
a native of Ohio. They have two children 
living: Mary, born June 10, 1858, and Edna, 
born September 15, 1860, both of whom are 
living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hahn have 
lost three children : Milton, who died Novem- 
ber 8, 1854; Howard, who died February 
7, 1863, and Sarah, who died August 6, 
1865, all of whom died in infancy. Mr, 
Hahn is a Republican in politics. He has 
been town treasurer for seven years, town 
supervisor for one year, and has held the 
office of road overseer for seven or eight 
years. The family are members of the 
Congregational Church. 

Fred. Sette was born in "Wisconsin, April 
19, 1855. His parents, Carl and Minnie 
(France) Sette, were natives of Prussia. 
There were twelve children in liis father's 
familjs five boys and seven girls, three of 



whom are dead. Tavo of the boys reside in 
Dakota; the other remaining brothers and 
sisters live in Minnesota. Mr. Sette left home 
when twenty-seven years of age, to make 
his way in the world. .June 1, 1865, they 
came to Steele County, Minn., locating in 
Owatonna Township. In 1879 Fred, re- 
moved to section 32, Somerset Township, 
where he has since remained, engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. Mr. 
Sette was married October 22, 1879, to Miss 
Hattie Panzer, who was born in Prussia, 
October 15, 1857. They have three chil- 
dren : Edna, born July 28, 1880 ; Albert, 
born October 15, 1881, and Frederick, born 
April 17, 1885. Mr. Sette is a Republican 
in politics. He and his family belong to the 
Lutheran Church. 

Frederick Ost is a native of Germany, 
born February 1, 1834. His father was a 
shepherd in Germany, and died in February, 
1850. His mother died in about 1845. 
Frederick Ost came to America, August 2, 
1864, and went to Quebec, Canada, where he 
remained a short time. He then came to 
Chicago, 111., and thence to Wisconsin, 
where he worked on a farm for eight months. 
He then went to Rochester, Minn., and on 
May 8, 1865, he came to Steele County, 
locating in Owatonna, where he worked at 
the carpenter's trade for five years. He 
then removed to section 4, Somerset Town- 
ship, where he is now living, engaged in 
general farming. Mr. Ost was married Sep- 
tember 14, 1867, to Miss Augusta Sette who 
was born in Wisconsin, June 28, 1849. They 
have eight children : Mary, born January 1 , 
1869; Augusta, born November 30, 1873; 
Charles, born November 6, 1875 ; Albert, 
born August 26, 1877 ; Anna, born Novem- 
ber 25, 1879 ; Bertie, born August 15, 1881; 
Gustaf, born May 9, 1885, and Alma, born 
May 31, 1887, all' of whom are living at 
home. Mr. Ost is a Republican in politics. 
He and his family belong to the Lutheran 
Church. 

Christian Peterson was born December 



36f5 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



27, 1835, in Denmark. His parents are both 
dead, his mother having died while our sub- 
ject was nine j'ears old, and his father died 
in 1877. There were eight children in his 
father's family. Mr. Peterson came to 
America in 1867, coming to Steele County, 
Minn., in June of that year, locating at once 
on section 10, Somerset Township, where he 
lives at the present time, engaged in general 
farming and stoclc-raising. Mr. Peterson 
has been twice married, first to Miss Jennie 
Jensen in October, 1860. She was born in 
Denmark in April, 1832, and died October 
1867, leaving four children: Mary, born 
April 9, 1861 ; Anna, born January 2, 1862 ; 
Louis, born Januar}^ 20, 1865, and Sena, 
born in January, 1868. Two of the children 
are married : Mary married Christian Eas 
musson in 1877. Anna married Louis Kas- 
musson in 1879. The gentlemen are broth- 
ers, and natives of Denmark. Mr. Peterson 
was married to his second wife. Miss Julia 
Hanson, July 13, 1873. She was born in 
Denmark, December 24, 1811. They have 
three children : Hannah, born May 3, 1874; 
Ida, born April 28, 1876, and Estie, born 
April 28, 1883. Mr. Peterson is a Eepubli- 
can in politics. He and his famil_v are mem- 
bers of tiie Baptist Church. 

W. K. Knickerbocker, one of Somerset's 
most prominent men, came to Steele County, 
Minn., in 1868, locating on his present place 
on section 20, Somerset Township, where lie 
carries on general farming and stock-raising, 
He was born in New York, January 11, 
1830. When nine years of age his father 
died, and our subject made his home with 
an uncle, until he reached the age of twelve. 
He then worked out at farming, until twenty- 
eight years old, when he began for himself. 
He has been twice married, first to Miss 
Caroline Lyon, a native of New York, in 
January, 1858. She died in 1852, leaving 
two children : William R., now dead, and 
Charles L. born October 3, 1861. Mr. 
Knickerbocker's second wife was Miss Helen 
E. Burgess, who was born in New York, Sep- 



tember 15, 1841. They have four children : 
Irene, born August 22, 1869; Nellie, born 
Januar}"^ 13, 1872 ; Clarence, born August 
11, 1874, and Eleanor, born September 11, 
1880. Chas. L. was married, in 1884, to 
Miss Irene Wilkinson, a native of Wisconsin. 
They are located in Lemond Township. Mr. 
Knickerbocker is a Republican in politics, 
and a representative man of the township. 

Fred. Stange was born in Prussia, March 
27, 1838. His parents were natives of Prus- 
sia, and there were six children in his father's 
family, four girls and two bo3's. When 
eleven years of age our subject left home to 
earn his own living, being first engaged as a 
shepherd boy for a few\'ears. Hetlien came 
to America, remaining a short time in New 
York. Then came to Wisconsin, when he 
worked on a farm for five 3'ears. He then 
• in 1873, came to Steele County, Minn., first 
locating in the western part of Somerset 
Townshi]), where he remained a few weeks 
and then moved to his present place, on sec- 
tion 9. Mr. Stange Avas married June 6, 
1865, to Miss Wilhelmine Gohlke, who was 
born in Prussia, July 22, 1844. They have 
had eight children : August, born December 
10, 1866 ; Wilhelmine, born March 27, 1871 ; 
Gusta, born September 28, 1873; Herman, 
born June 18, 1879; Anna, born August 15, 
1884; Rudolph, born November 10, 1885. 
The other two cliildren are dead. The liv- 
ing children are all at home. Mr. Stange is a 
Republican in politics. He and his family 
are members of the Lutheran Church. 

M. D. Whitman, was born in Vermont, 
October 8, 1841. His parents, Daniel and Re- 
becca (Freeman) Whitman, were natives of 
New Hampshire, and were farmers. Mr. 
AVhitman enlisted August 15, 1862, in the 
Twelfth Regiment Vermont Volunteers, and 
was discharged July 20, 1S63. The principal 
liattle he was in was that of Gettysburg, July 
23, 1863. After being discharged he went to 
New Hampshire where he worked on a farm 
for thi-ee years. In February, 1865, he went 
to Illinois, locating in Winnebago County, 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



367 



where he worked at farming for some eight 
months, after which he went to Wisconsin 
and remained four months, and finally came 
to Steele County, Minn., in 1869, locating on 
section 16, Somerset Township, where he still 
lives engaged in general farming. Mr. Whit- 
man was married October 8, 1867, to Miss 
Anna Bryant, who was born in Wisconsin, 
May 11, 1847. They have five children : 
Clarence L., born October 11, 1868 ; George 
N., born November 6, 1870 ; Frank M., born 
July 29, 1875; Arthur J., born November 26, 
1877; Hattie A., born March 13, 1882, and 
Charles E., born June 28, 1887, all of whom 
are living at home. Mr. Whitman has been 
postmaster of the postoffice, located at his 
residence, since 1877. In the spring of 1870 
he was elected school district clerk. Mr. 
Whitman is a Eepublican in politics. 

Edward Kuckenbecker was born in Prus 
sia, March 22, 1830. His father and mother 
were both natives of Prussia, and were 
farmers. There were eight children in his 
fatlier's family, one of whom is dead. Mr. 
Kuckenbecker came to America in 1861, locat- 
ing in Wisconsin, where he remained three 
vears. He then removed to Eochester, Minn., 
where he remained three years. In 1870 he 
came to Steele County, locating on section 
29, Somerset Township, where he is still en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising. 
Mr. Kuckenbecker was married to Mrs. Tina 
Wolf, whose first husband was deceased. She 
was born October 8, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kuckenbecker have three children : Amanda, 
born August 13, 1879 ; Bennett, born August 
17, 1S81, and Edward, born May 13, 1883. 
The children are all living at home. Mr. 
Kuckenbecker is a Democrat in politics. He 
and his family are members of the Lutlieran 
Church. 

Villars Larson was born in Denmark, De- 
cember 13, 183.5. His parents, Lai's and 
Hannah (Jensen) Larson, were both natives 
of Denmark. There were nine children in 
his father's familj^ five boys and four girls. 
Our subject came to America in 1859, locat- 



ing in St. Louis, where he remained one year 
working on a farm. He then enlisted in the 
Second United States Infantry, and was in 
service in the regular army until the close 
of the war, being under Capt. Sulley (after- 
ward Gen. Sulley) one year, and under Capt. 
Drum the remainder of the time. He was 
dischargedAugust IS, 1865. M. Larson was 
in fifteen different battles , including those 
of Yorktown, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, 
Cole Harbor, second battle of Bull Run, An- 
tietam, etc. Mr. Larson came to Steele 
County, Minn., April 17, 1870, locating on 
section 10, Somerset Township, where he has 
since lived, being engaged in farming. Mr. 
Larson is a Republican in politics, and a 
member of the Lutheran Church. 

William Sannemann was born in Hanover, 
Germany, August 8, 1816. His parents, " 
Henry and Maria (Blohm) Sannemann, were 
both natives of Germany. When thirteen 
years of age William left home to do for 
himself. He worked on a farm till he was 
twenty-eight years old. Then he came to 
America, locating in Marion County, 111., 
where he bought eighty acres of land. He 
remained there a few years, and then came 
to Steele County, Minn., locating in Somer- 
set Township, on section 12, where he has 
since been engaged in farming. Mr. Sanne- 
mann was married September 7, 1871, to 
Miss Maria Stangler, who was born March 
20, 1855. Her parents reside at present in 
Plavanna Township, Steele County. They 
have had four children, one of whom is 
dead. Mr. and Mrs. Sannemann have two 
children : Arthur, born December 6, 1874, 
and Ordelia, born February 20, 1879. Both 
of the children live at home. Mr. Sanne- 
mann is a Deniocrat in politics, and has been 
school treasurer of his district for some 
term. The family are members of the Luth- 
eran Church. 

Gardner Storer, farmer, residing on sec- 
tion 33, Somerset Township, was born in 
Maine, May 1, 1841. His parents, Josepli 
and Betsey Storer, were natives of Maine. 



368 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Their family consisted of eight children, four 
boys and four girls. When twenty-one 
yejirs of age (iardner started in business for 
himself, farming in Goodhue County, Minn., 
for seven yeai's. From that place he moved 
to Faribault County, Minn., where he was 



also engaged in 



farming, 



remaining there 



some five years. Then, in 1873, he came to 
Steele County and in the fall settled on sec- 
tion 33, Somerset Township, where he still 
lives. Mr. Storer was married June 9, 1860, 
to Miss Rosia Zimmerman, a native of Illi- 
nois. Her parents were natives of Germany, 
and there were twelve children in her moth- 
er's family. Mr. Storer and wife have eight 
children living : Amanda, born August 22, 
1862; Mary Louisa, born March 31, 1864; 
Eva Lillian", boi'n May 22, 1866 ; John Will- 
iam, Ijorn December 17, 1868 ; Joseph Fred- 



erick, born September 11, 1871 ; Sarah, born 
December 29, 1873 (died August 9, 1S75); 
Albert Ernest, born September 28, 1876, 
(died July 29, 1879) ; Guy Earl, born October 
12, 1878 ; Inez Addie, born September 11, 
1881, and Aaron, born February 28, 1885. 
Amanda married T. McFall, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, March 1, 1882. The other children 
all live at home. Mr. Storer was in the 
army. He enlisted August 7, 1864, in a 
Minnesota regiment and was discharged in 
May, 1865. He is Republican in politics ; a 
member of the Seventh day Advent Church. 
In 1873 he was elected school director and 
held the same for three years; in 1875 
was elected school treasurer and served six 
years, and has otherwise taken an active 
interest in public affairs. 




CHAPTER XXVIIL 



LEMON D TOWNSHIP. 




' lEMOND is composed of township 
lofi, range 21. It forms one of 
the western tier of Steele Coun- 
ty's townships, being bounded 
on the west by "Waseca County ; 
on the north by Meriden Town- 
ship ; on the east by Somerset, 
and on the south bj^ Berlin. The 
soil here is about the same as 
characterizes the balance of the 
county' — rich and fertile, and 
produces excellent crops. The surface of the 
township is well watered by numerous creeks 
and runs, and there are many fine farms 
here. In 1857 the township had a popula- 
tion of ninety-six. At the latest census, 
— 1885 — this had grown to 689 inhabitants. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement in this township was 
made in 1856. During this year, Samuel 
Thompson, John Thompson, W. F. Manson, 
Sandford Kinney, E. Teed, and E. J., J. B. 
and E. B. Coon, all selected homes. Messrs. 
Kinney and Coon sowed the first wheat in 
the township, in the spring of this year, on 
section 2. John Thompson remained here 
less than a year, when he returned to Ohio. 
W. F. Manson lived here for about twenty 
years, when he removed to Blue Earth 
County, and has since returned to his former 
home in Canada. A son of his still lives in 
the county. Sandford Kinney is dead. E. 
Teed moved from here to Clinton Falls, and 
finally went to Cottonwood County. All of 
the Coon family left the county a number of 
years ago. S. M. Kinney, who came here 
with his father s family, in November, 1856, 
is still a resident of the township. In 1857, 
a number of pioneers arrived and located in 



this township, among the number being 
Martin Hanson, Cornelius Moran, Henry 
Ludkins, Henry Mondt, Alvin Bragg, Neils 
Johnson, Oscar Murphy, Samuel Hastings, 
James Reynolds, Peter Nelson, Mr. Branden- 
burg, E. Dampier, Mortimer Gould, Mi-. 
Ketchum, J. M. Gibbons, Thos. Hughes, 
Mr. Hobbs, Wm. Manson (who died here), 
Euel Wilcox, Wm. Parcher and Thomas 
Houston. In 1858 among those who came 
were Aaron S. Bragg, William Stover, Mv. 
Deffenbacher, Ira Richardson, Benjamin 
WoUet and others. Mr. Bragg is still a 
prominent citizen of the townsiiip. William 
Stover went to California with Ketchum, in 
1859. Mr. Deffenbacher settled on section 1, 
but only remained a couple of years. Mr. 
Richardson still lives in the township. Mr. 
Wollet located on section 1, where he re- 
mained until 1802, when he went to Fari- 
bault, where he died. A man named Kipp 
came at about this time, and bought one of 
the Coon claims on section 1, and remain- 
ing a short lime. In the year 1859 a few 
more came, but about all the government 
land had been taken, and the settlement 
from this time on progressed slowly, until 
after the close of the civil war. 

In 1857, Thomas Twiford put up a log 
building on section 12, put a dam across the 
river and set a sawmill to operating. He 
ran it about a year when Mr. Hughes oper- 
ated it for some time. Finally it ran down, 
and the machinery' was sold and moved 
away. A history of tlie village which was 
laid out in this neighborhood will be found 
in the chapter relating to Somerset Town- 
ship. 

Ill tliis connection we present biographical 



370 



HISTOEY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



sketches of many of the old settlers and 
prominent citizens of the township. 

S. M. Kinney, who resides on section 2, 
Lemond Township, is a son of Sanford and 
Louisa (Moulton) Kinney, natives of Ver- 
mont, who emigrated to Minnesota in 1856, 
locating in Lemond Township. His father 
died in August, 1869, and was buried in 
Lemond Township ; his mother died Janu- 
ary 20, 1887, and was buried beside her hus- 
band. Our subject was thus among the 
first settlers, and experienced all the var- 
ied clianges through which the country has 
passed. He taught the first school in the town- 
ship in a little log dwelling which was used 
for a schoolhouse. August 10, 1S62, he en- 
listed in the Tenth Minnesota Infantry and 
was discharged May 29, 1865, being under 
Capt. Ambler one j'ear, then under Capt. 
Babcock until the close of the war. He was 
engaged in a number of battles the principal 
ones being Big Mound, in August, 1863, 
and Nashville, December 15 and 16, 1864. 
After being discharged he returned to Steele 
County, where he has since resided, engaged 
in general farming and stock-raising. He 
was united in marriage, March 11, 1885, to 
Miss Charlotte Weber, a native of Wiscon- 
sin, born July 6, 1861. They have one child, 
Stillman Warren, born January 23, 1886. 
Mr. Kinney has taken an active part in pub- 
lic afi'airs, having been town clerk, supervi- 
sor and assessor, and at present is treasurer 
of school district No. 36, having been elected 
in 1880. He is a Kepublican in politics, and 
is an active member of the Baptist Church. 

C. R. Knowlton on section 14, Lemond 
Township, a pioneer settler, was born in 
Rhode Island, March 10, 1826. He was the 
oldest son of John A. Knowlton, a native of 
Rhode Island and Eliza G. (Wood) Knowlton, 
a native of Massachusetts. His father's oc- 
cupation was farming. The family removed 
to Steele County, Minn., in 1856, locating on 
section 13, Lemond Township, where the 
father's death occurred June 10, 1870, and 
the mother's November 10, 1879. The 



parents had five children : Charles R., 
Ann E., Elmira, Emeline (deceased) and 
Caroline. At the age of seventeen, Charles 
R. left home to care for himself, work- 
ing for six years in a cotton factory, 
then was emploj'ed in a tan-yard for two 
years. He then removed to Massachusetts, 
and worked five years in a cabinet shoj). 
Emigrating to Illinois, he was engaged in 
a reaper factory, and the following year 
(1856), came to Steele County, Minn., locat- 
ing first in Somerset Township. In 1859 Jie 
removed to his present home. He married 
Miss Harriette E. Rhodes, April 15, 1846. 
She was born in Massachusetts, October 22, 
1825, and died September 1, 18S3, leaving 
six children, two of whom are unmarried : 
Ellis, born September 10, 1847; Charles E., 
born February 8, 1849 ; Jolin II., born 
March 14, 1854; George W., born April 6, 
1856 ; Frank M., born October 16, 1861 (died 
February 28, 1870); Lemuel, born August 
27, 1858 (died November 9, 1863) ; Wallace, 
born November 14, 1864, and Delbert, born 
March 20, 1868. Mr. Knowlton was after- 
ward married to Mrs. Henriette Russell, 
whose husband died December 21, 1884. 
He was a native of St. Lawi-ence County, 
N. Y., who had settled in Lemond 
Township in 1865. They had six chil- 
dren : Ella Gertrude, born July 23, 1866; 
Minnie J., born June 27, 1869 ; Orpha O., 
born October 7, 1871 ; Henrietta, born April 
15, 1873 ; Cora Belle, born January 16, 1875, 
and Gilbert E., born April 9, 1877. Mr. 
Knowlton enlisted in Companj' E, First 
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, March 16, 
1865, and was discharged August 2, 1865. 
He has been justice of the peace two years, 
chairman of township board of supervisors 
one year. In politics is an earnest Pro- 
hibitionist. 

Aaron S. Bragg, a pioneer of the town- 
ship, located on his present home on section 
32, Lemond Township, in 1865. He was born 
in Maine, October 31, 1838. His parents 
were natives of Massachusetts and Maine. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



371 



His father died in 1866 in Lemond Town- 
ship. His mother is still living. They had 
seven children. A. S. Bragg married Miss 
Maiy Graham, who was born in New York, 
September 12, 1848. They had four chil- 
dren: Cynthia N., born February .5, 1868 — 
now a successful teacher; Alice L., born 
April 4, 1873 ; Sarah J., born December 14, 
1880, and Louis, born February 4, 1867 (died 
December 1, 1881 ; was buried in Lemond 
cemetery). In the fall of 1861 Mr. Bragg 
enlisted in Company I, Fourth Minnesota 
Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged in 
1865. He participated in the battles of 
luka, September 19, 1862; Corinth, Miss., 
October 3 and 4, 1862; Ft. Pemberton, 
March, 1863; Forty Hills, May 3, 1863; 
Champion Hill, May 15, 1863; the assault of 
Vicksburg, May 22 to July 4, 1863 ; Mission 
Kidge, November 24 and 25, 1863 ; Altoona, 
Ga., October 5, 1864; siege of Savannah, 
December, 1864, and Little Salkehatchie 
River, S. C, February 6, 1865. He was pro- 
moted to first corporal before discharge. He 
is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- 
public, and is Republican in politics. He has 
taken an active interest in public affairs, hav- 
ing been supervisor, justice of the peace and 
constable several terms. At present he is 
clerk of school district No. 53, which office he 
has held since the organization of the district. 
Oscar Murphy, ex-county commissioner, 
and one of Lemond's most prominent citizens 
is a native of the State of Pennsylvania. 
His parents were Selim W. and Hannah M. 
(Townsend) Murphy, both natives of the same 
State. His ancestr}', on his mother's side, 
traced back to Yates County, N. Y., and 
on the father's side to Bradford Count^^, 
Pa. In the father's family there wei'e the 
following children, two of whom are now 
deceased, viz. : Sarah, Oscar, Henry, Wilson, 
George, Harriet E., Polly, Eugene, Alice and 
Ciiarles. When nineteen years of age, Oscar 
Murphy, the subject of this sketch, left home 
to begin life for himself, and took a trip to 
St. Croix Falls, Wis. He remained there 



for about three years, working the first sea- 
son in the ])ineries, and the balance of the 
time being engaged in teaching school. In 
the meantime, from that place he had made 
a trip to Steele County, Minn., and took a 
claim in Lemond Township, remaining only 
a short time, however. In 1859 he organized 
a band of boys or young men, and went to 
Pike's Peak in search of fortune, remaininar 
there until the outbreak of the civil war, 
wlien he returned to St. Croix, Wis. He 
then, on the 11th of September, 1861, en- 
listed in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, un- 
der Col. C. C. Washburn. They were moved 
to St. Louis and then to Helena, taking part 
in the war n:ovements in the southwest 
They participated in the following battles : 
Helena, FayetteviUe, where the battalion 
captured 150 Confederates; Prairie Grove, 
Ark., December 7, 1862 (where Commissioner 
Black lost an arm), and Springfield, Mo.,where 
they defeated the forces of Gen. Marmaduke, 
the present Governor of Missouri. This com- 
pleted their work in that region, and then 
the First Battalion (of which Mr. Murj)hy's 
company had become a part) was transported 
from St. Louis to Memphis. When just be- 
low Island No. 10, in the Mississippi River, 
their transport boat, the " John J. Roe," ran 
onto a sunken coal barge, and went to the 
bottom. It contained the men, supplies and 
about 500 head of horses. The men escaped 
and succeeded in saving all except about 150 
of the horses. LTpon arriving at Memphis 
the regiment was made a part of Grierson's 
Cavalry Division, and took an active part in 
fighting Gen. Foi-est's (Confederate) cavalry. 
While connected with this division Mr. Mui-- 
phj^'s regiment participated in the battles of 
Yazoo City, December 1, 1864 ; Black River 
and Bayou Sara. During this summer (1864) 
the regiment veteranized and had a thirty- 
da}' furlough. During the winter of 1864-5 
they took part in the engagements at Egypt 
Station (December 28, 1864,) and Lexington, 
when Grierson's famous raid was made on 
Hood's rear, coming out at Vicksburg in 



M7'j 



IIIS'rOKY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



January, 1HC5. Ovor sixty milos of tlic 
Oliio & Mobile iuid tiio Mississippi Central 
(•iuii-oatis, over wiiicii Hood's sii])plies wcm'c! 
j)assing, wore destroyed, ;ii:d a large auioiiiit 
of the supplies was captured. This marked 
the dowididl ol' Hood's ai'iiiy. In l''el)ruary, 
1805, the regiment was transpoi'ted to Mem- 
phis, and, after sortu; unimportant service, 
was sent to the liio (Jninde, wiiere, undcn' 
Ocn. ('ustcr, it licc-iiMc ii part of the iii'my 
of olistn'vaJ ion. In ()ct()l)(U', iSfif), the I'egi- 
ment was sent- on transports, /lyV New Or- 
leans, to Madison, Wis., whei'e they wore 
mustered lait in October, ISdf). Mr l\lur 
phy's eom])iiny was but a, i-emnant ol' what 
il had been. In |sr,| ii iuuni>ered 105 strong, 
abl(^-l)odi(!d young men; but only seventeen 
a,nswei'ed to tin* I'oll-call when mustercMl out 
in 18(15. Ml". Murphy had enlisted as a, pi'i 
vato, but had i)eeu promoted through the 
various grades until, when mustered out, he 
was lirst lieuteUMUt of his eom|)ajiy. lie 
nevcsr misscul an (sngagcMuent, uoi' i'aile<l to 
respond when duty called, nor was lie ever 
sicic a day during the years of active and 
perilous servic(Mn which lu^ jiarticipalcd. It. 
is worthy ol' UKMition in this connection that 
C. I'!, (iraham.ol' ^Vaseca, ol' whom a biog- 
raphy will be lonnd flse\vlici-e in this vol- 
ume — was also a mrudicr of the same r(^gi- 
uu'.nt. 'i'o I'etnrn to Mr. Murphy's private 
life. After the close of I he war, in 18(')5, he 
eamo to Steele CJouidy, Minn., where lui still 
lives carrying on general fai'uung and stock- 
raising. In 1877 he went to the Black Hills 
on a pi-ospeeting toui', but only remained a 
short tnne. On the '22(1 of February, ISOO, 
he was inanied to Miss UelxH'cti Koss, who 
was born in Wisconsin, Mai'ch 9, 1850. They 
hav(^ had twochildrini: llert, born December 
;!, IS(;(;, and Uay (deceased), born April 24, 
ls7l,died A|)rii s, 1885. Mr. Murphy has 
taken an active and ])rominent jiail in public 
mattci's. He was a nuMuber of ihi^ board of 
county commissioners from ISSd to 1887, 
and for li\i^ years was chairman of that 
bod\'; he was (slected assessor of Jjcmond 



Township in l87o, and served until 1873; 
and was one of the town supervisoi's fi-om 
1873 to 1880. In political matters he is a 
Ki^publican, and is a jirominent meudier of 
the Grand Arin\' of the liepublic 

(licorge W. Hastings, a piominent fanner 
and stock-rais(!i', lives on section II. Ho was 
b(»rn July 3, 1855, in Kockford, III. In the 
yeai' 1857 his parents came to Steele County, 
Minn., lirst locating in the westei'n part (d 
Lemond 'i'ownship, bntsubsc^cjuently I'cmoved 
to section 14. At the age of twenty -three 
the subject of oursketch settled on section 24, 
where he lived three years, then removed to 
his father's ])lace on section 14. He; was 
united in marriage April 28, 1880, to Miss 
Alice De J.ong, who was born in New "i'or'k. 
May 17, 1857. They are blessed with two 
children : l"'anni(^ E., born November 20, 
1881, and Blanche L., born September 14, 
1885. Mr. Hastings is a Democrat in jjoliti- 
cal matters. 

Amos lioss is the oldest man living in Le- 
mond Township. lie came from Wisconsin, 
wlier(! he had livt^d lift ecu years, and hjcated 
on section 12, in 1857. He was born June 
18, 18(1;;, in Saratoga Couidy, N. V. His 
|)arents, Dorothy (Ernsbui'g)and David Boss, 
were also natives of New York. They had 
eight children, four girls and four bctys. On 
the loth of January, 1828, Mr. Boss married 
Miss Experience Fairbank, who was born in 
New York, February 24, Bsoc. She is now 
deceas((d, leaving eight children : JJorothy, 
Ixuii October 5,1828; Lucy, born September 
;i, I8;i4 ; William C, born January Ki, 1841 ; 
Susan J., born June 16, 1840; James W., 
born Septembei' 10, 18;}0 ; Ermina, born Ma}' 
;!1, 1843 and Bebecca, born March !), 184',t, 
all of whom ai'e married. Mi'. Tloss is a Be- 
publican, and a member of the Methodist 
tJhurcli. 

L. B. Could, is one of the extensive 
farmers of Steele County, having 4t)5 acres, 
located on sections 14, 15 and 23, in Lemond 
and .section 35 in Meriden Townshij). Mi', 
(ioiild was born July 4, 183!l, in Edwards 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



375 



County, 111. His parents were Joel Gould, a 
native of Massachusetts, and Electa (Phillips) 
Gould, a native of New York, whose death 
occuri'ed in Edwards Count}', 111., in June, 
1853. They had six children, two of whom 
are dead. "When L. B. Gould was twenty- 
one he left home to provide for himself, and 
emigrated to Wabasha County, Minn., where 
he lived four years. In 1865 he removed to 
his present home. He was married to Miss 
Sarah A. Barrier, February 19, 1862. She 
was a native of North Carolina, born Novem- 
ber 21, 18il. Her ]iarents were also natives 
of North Carolina and had seven children, 
four girls and three boys. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gould have two children : Luella, born Febru- 
ary 16, 1864, and Chester N., born October 
1, 1872. The elder is a graduate of the 
"Minnesota Baptist Academy" atOwatonna 
(June, 188-1). Mr. Gould is a Republican and 
takes an active interest in public affairs. He 
is the present town treasurer, having been 
elected in 1885. He is also school district 
treasurer, having held the office for nine 
years. He was elected assessor in 1876. His 
father resides witli him. The family are 
members of the Congregational Church. 

Lars Larson came to Steele County, Minn., 
in 1866. He is the eldest son of Gunaild 
Larson and Hans Larson, who were natives 
of Norway. They had nine children : Lars, 
Lena, Betsie, Hattie, Minda, Matilda, Henry, 
Laura and Josie. They came to America in 
1866. They spent one summer in the west- 
ern part of Leiliond Township, then located 
on section 16, where the}' now reside with 
three children. Lars Larson was born in 
Norway, July 29, 1855. On March 8, 1883, 
he married Miss Julia Hendrickson, a native 
of Waseca County, Minn. They had two 
children : Harry Oscar, born December 12, 
1884, and Jesse Loyd, born September 7, 
1886. He is a Republican in politics, and, 
with his famil}', belongs to the Lutheran 
Church. He served one year as supervisor. 

Thomas Annett is engaged in general 
fanning and stock-raising, on section 28, Le- 



mond Township. He was born in County 
Down, Ireland, August 4, 1832. His father, 
John Annett, was a native of Scotland. His 
mother, Elizabeth (Russell) Annett, was a 
native of Ireland. They had ten children : 
Hugh, William, John (deceased), John, 
Thomas, Jane, Sarah, Mary, Catherine (de- 
ceased), and Eliza. Thomas and John came 
to the United States July 12, 1855, and lo- 
cated in Oneida county, N. Y., where they 
remained fourteen years. Thomas came 
to his present home February 14, 1869. De- 
cember 22, 1857, he was united in marriage 
to Miss Mary Moran, who was born May 
24, 1837, in Rutland County, Vt. Her 
parents were natives of Ireland. Mr. and 
Mrs. Annett have ten children : John W., 
born May 1, 1861 ; Nellie M., born April 
6, 1865 ; Sarah E., born Septeiflber 15, 1868 ; 
Thomas Charles, born January 5, 1871 ; Frank 
C, born May 21, 1874; Nettie L., born 
July 12, 1872 ; Minnie E., born July 25, 
1878; MayM., born January 5, 1880 ; Pearl 
M., born January 5, 1883, and Elizabeth, born 
May 21, 1863, all of whom are unmarried 
and at home. Mr. Annett is a Republican. 
He was elected supervisor in 1883, serving 
one year. He is the present school treas- 
urer of his district, having been elected in 
1884. He has one of the best farms in the 
township. 

Nels Knudson settled on section 31, Le- 
mond Township, in 1869. He was boi"n in 
Norway, June 24, 1840. He and his par 
ents, Knut and Carrie Olson, emigrated to 
America in 1869. They located in Wiscon- 
sin, remaining there four years, then re- 
moved to Waseca County, Minn. The father 
died in New Richland, Minn., in 1880. 
There were three children : Ole, Cornelia 
and Nels. Ole lives in New Richland. He 
married Miss Margret Knudson, a native of 
Norway, and has two children, Knut and 
Carrie. Carrie married Andrew Johnson, also 
a native of Norway, and they are located in 
Waseca County, Knut is living at home. 
Nels Knudson married Mrs. 0]e Knutson, 



376 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



August 20, 1869. She was born in Norway 
in 1847. Her first husband died April 10, 
1862, and left five children : Bert, Knut, 
Chris, Lena (deceased), and Anna. Mr. 
and Mrs. Knudson have one daughter, 
Caroline, who is living at home. Mr. Knud- 
son is Independent in politics. His family 
all belong to the Lutheran Church. 

Peter Olson has a fine farm, well im- 
proved, on section 8, Lemond Township. He 
began for himself at the age of seven, by 
herding cattle, since which he has depended 
on his own exertions. He was born in Nor- 
way, August 24, 1851, and came to America 
in 1869. His father died November 11, 
1868. His mother and step-father, Peter 
Nelson, emigrated to Minnesota and settled 
in Lemond in 1872. Peter Olson, in 188-4, 
married Miss Ellen Larson, a native of Nor- 
way. In politics he is Republican The 
family are devout members of the Lutheran 
Church. 

Hans Olson has 250 acres of choice land, 
on section 4, Lemond Township. He came 
to Steele County, June 2, 1869, remaining 
the first six months in Owatonna, at which 
time he purchased eighty acres of land on 
section 4, in the town of Lemond. He was 
born in Denmark, October 22, 1835. He 
was united in marriage, in March, 1863, to 
Miss Margaret Christianson, who was born 
in Denmark, May 3, 1845. Her father. 
Christian Lorrenson, a native of Denmark, 
died in 1853. Her mother, also a Dane, is 
still living. They had five children. Mr. 
and Mrs. Olson have had two children : 
Peter C, born May 4, 1864 (died in June, 
1869); Emma, born October 3, 1873 (died 
November 6, 1874). Mr. Olson's parents are 
dead. His father died in November, 1867; 
his mother in March, 1850, leaving six chil- 
dren to mourn their loss. Mr. Olson is an 
independent Republican. He and his wife 
are members of the Lutheran Church. He 
was school treasurer three years, and has 
held various other local offices. 

E. C. Bryant resides on section 2, Lemond 



Townshi]), engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. He located, when twenty years 
of age, on his present home. He is a native of 
Butternuts, Otsego Count3% N. Y., born 
March 20, 1850. His parents, John Augus- 
tus and Colstia (Sage) Bryant, both natives 
of New York, came to Minnesota in Janu- 
ar}^, 1870, and located on section 36, in 
Meriden Township, where his mother still 
lives. His father died, aged sixty-four, and 
left eight children to mourn his loss. E. C. 
Bryant was married Maj'^ 3, 1878, to Miss 
May Davis, who was born August 18, 1859, 
in Steele County, Minn. Five children have 
been born to them : James A., Earl C, Bes- 
sie G., John A. and Hattie, all of whom are 
living at home. Mr. Bryant is a Republican 
in politics. 

Henry Ribbe resides on section 33, Le- 
mond Township. He is the oldest son of 
Eliza (Baker) and Frederic Ribbe, natives 
of Hanover, .Germany, who were married 
November 22, 1854, and had nine children : 
Henry, Anna, Louis, Herman, Christian, 
Eliza, Minnie, John and Lena. Two are 
married. Henry Ribbe and Miss Pauline 
Stelter, who was born in Germany, April 
17, 1861, were married April 14, 1886. 
Henry was born in Clayton County, Iowa, 
November 24, 1856. They have one child, 
Louis William Henry, born January 14, 
1887. Henrj^ Ribbe is a Republican. They 
are members of Lutheran Church. 

Heni-y Mliller, living on section 7, is also 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising. 
He came to Lemond Township in 1870. He 
is a native of Iowa, born in 1853. His par- 
ents were Germans. His father resides in 
Waseca County, Minn., and his mother is 
dead. Mr. Mliller married Miss Wilhelmina 
Ost, who was born June 17, 1857. They 
have five children : Henry, Mary, Helena, 
August and Elvena (who died March 22, 
1885). The family all belong to the Lu- 
theran Church. Henry Mliller is a Democrat 
in politics. He has been school clerk three 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



3Y7 



terms, and takes an active interest in all 
public matters. 

Ellick A. Ellickson was born November 1, 
1850, in Wisconsin. He located on section 
29, Lemond Township, in June, 1875. His 
parents were natives of Norway. His father, 
Amos Ellickson, died in Wisconsin in 1880. 
His mother, Mai'y (Johnson) Ellickson, is still 
living. They had five children : three boys 
and two girls. Mr. Ellickson married Miss 
Martha Nelson, June 1, 1872. She is a 
native of Norway. They are blessed with 
four children : Aaron M., born June 3, 
1873 ; Harriet M., born October 29, 1874 ; 
Esther Josephine, born March 23, 1878, and 
Amos C, born March 3, 1882. They are 
members of the Lutheran Church. In politics 
Mr. Ellickson is a Eepublican. He is engaged 
in farming and stock-raising. 

William Smith settled on section 8, Le- 
mond Township, in 1879. He is the son of 
Fredricka (Berg) and Fritz Smith, natives 
of Germany, who emigrated to America 
in 1867. They located in Clayton County, 
Iowa, where the mother died on May 15, 
1872. In 1879 they removed to Steele 
County, Minn. They had ten children, 
six boys and four girls, five of whom 
ai"e still living. William Smith was born in 
Germany, February 5, 1856. He married Miss 
Anna Kibbe, November 28, 1819. She was 
born in Clayton County, Iowa, April 18, 1859. 
They have two children : William, born 
August 29, 1881, and Louis, born February 
3, 1882. Mr. Smith is a Eepublican. He 
was elected school treasurer in 1880, and 
served six years, and is at present one of the 
town supervisors. His family all belong to 
the Lutheran Church. 

John Scholljegerdes, a prominent farmer 
and stock-raiser, is located on section 6, Le- 
mond Township. He has 600 acres of well 
improved land, excellent buildings and a 
fine grade of Holstein cattle. He was born 
in Germany, January 3, 1852. He came to 
Steele County in 1876. His parents, Margret 
(Eenken) and George D. Scholljegerdes, 



emigrated to the United States in 1872, and 
settled in Waseca County, where at present 
they are doing an extensive business in cat- 
tle and farmmg. They have three children ; 
John, Lena and George. Lena was married 
in 1880, and resides in Waseca County. 
George is unmarrried. John Scholljegerdes 
was married to Miss Anna Wilker, November 
14, 1876. She was born in Steele County, 
March 20, 1857. John first purchased 120 
acres on section 5, from A. Miller, after 
which he bought and removed to his 
present home. The\' have four children : 
Ida, born September 12, 1877; Emma, born 
July 28, 1879 ; John, born April 2, 1881, 
and Anna, born February 9, 1883. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first school in the township was taught 
by Stillman Kinney, in 1858, on section 2. H. 
G. Mosier, who then lived in Waseca County, 
was one of the next teachers. There are now 
six school districts in the township. 

The first marriage in the township was 
that of Daniel Tasker and Miss Cornelia 
Davis. The ceremony was performed in May, 
1859, by Sandford Kinney, a justice of the 
peace. 

The first birth occurred in the family of 
Thos. Hughes. 

The earliest death in the township of which 
we can learn occurred in November, 1860, 
when William Manson died. 

The first religious services were held in 
January, 1858, Eev. Mr. Moses being the 
ofiiciating clergyman. 

ORGANIZATION. 

When Steele County was organized, in the 
summer of 1855, the territory which now 
forms Lemond became a portion of O watonna 
Township. In April, 1857, the board of 
county commissioners set off township 106, 
range 21, and authorized its organization as 
a civil township, naming it " Lemond." The 
organization, however, was not fully per- 
fected until April, 1858, when the following 
oflicers were elected : Supervisors, S. M. 



378 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Hastings, chairman, E. D. Teed and Sandford 
Kinney; clerk. E. Dainpier ; assessor, J. E. 
Hughes ; collector, Jerome Coon ; overseer 
of the poor, E. J. Coon ; justices of the peace, 
S. M. Hastings and Sandford Kinney. 

The following named were all prominent 
in township matters in early days and filled 



the most important offices : S. M. Hastings, 
S. G. Townsend, S. M. Kinney, Hugh Mur- 
ra}', C. G. Hersey, Charles Knowlton, Oscar 
Murphy, E. Dampier, S. F. Gould and Sand- 
ford Kinney Jr. 

The first town meeting was held at Twi- 
ford's Mills. 




CHAPTER XXIX. 




BEELIN TOWNSHIP. 



HE southwest corner township 
in Steele County is Berlin — 
composed of township 105, range 
21. It is bounded on the north 
b}' Lemond Township ; on the east 
by Summit ; on the west by Wa- 
seca County, and on the south by 
Freeborn County. It is one of 
the finest agricultui'al towns in 
the State, and is not excelled by 
any for the beauty of its natural scen- 
erj'. Near the center of the township 
is Beaver Lake, a perfect gem of beauty, 
with a sandy beach and bottom, and Avater 
clear as crystal. The soil here is a dark 
loam, rich in the production of the cereals 
and indigenous grasses. Many fine farms 
are located here, and, as a whole, the citizens 
are to-day, and have been in the past, as 
prosperous as any community in this part of 
the State. In 1857 the township had a pop- 
ulation of 193. At the time of the last 
census — in June, 1885 — it had 707 inhabit- 
ants. 

EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

The first settlement within the present 
limits of Berlin Township was made in 1856. 

In this connection Ave make brief mention 
of most of the early settlers, together with 
biogra])hical sketches of a number of the 
leading citizens of Berlin. 

Hiram Pitcher came in 1856, and located 
on section 15. He remained about nine years 
Avhen he removed to Fond du Lac, Wis., and 
has since died. He Avas a prominent man in 
early days, and Avas the first justice of the 
peace in the township. 

Nathan Cheeney, another settler of 185<>, 



located on section 2, Avhere he remained 
until the Avar broke out, Avhen he enlisted and 
Avent into the service. Upon his return he 
located on section 9, and lived there until six 
or eight years ago, Avhen he removed to 
Huron, D. T. 

Charles W. Gardner came in 1856 and 
settled upon section 13. In 1863 he Avent 
into the army, and after the close of the 
Avar settled in Blooming Prairie. He has 
since returned to the eastern States. 

James S. King came here in 1856 and 
located on section 13. He remained here 
until 1880 , when he left for Dakota. 

Mr. Warren also came to this township in 
1856 and settled on section 12. After re- 
maining here for two or three years he re- 
moved to California, Avhere he still lives. 

S. Hull came in 1856 and located on sec- 
tion 11. He left here in about 1865 for the 
northern part of the State. 

Joseph Gordon came in the spring of 1856 
and located on section 28, where he lived 
until his death in 1868. His Avife died 
November 30, 1859. 

John Dock came in the fall of the same 
year and settled on section 21. About three 
years later he removed to California. 

Barney Banks Avas another of the "settlers 
of '56." He located on section 21. He was 
frozen to death in a terrible blizzard while 
on his way from Geneva to his home. His 
oxen returned liorae without him, and his 
body was soon afterward discovered. 

William Shea came the same year and 
located on section 30. He Avas in his one 
hundred and fifth year at the time of his 
death. 



379 



380 



HISTf)RY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Thomas Brick was a son-in-law of Mr. 
Shea. He located on the same section and 
remained there until 1877, when he removed 
to section 14, where he still lives. 

Halver Howen came in 1856 and located 
on section 23. In 1868 he was frozen to 
death while on his way home from Faribault. 

Enfin Enfinson came in 1856 and settled 
on section 27. wliere he still lives. 

M. Wright came during the same year 
and located on section 32, where he still 
lives. 

E. Johnson came in 1856 and is still a res- 
ident. 

Philo Sawyer, in company with M. War- 
ren and J. O. Colver, came to Steele County, 
Minn., and took up government land in Ber- 
lin Township in 1856. Mr. Sawyer is a na- 
tive of Vermont, born August 22, 1830. In 
18'±1: his parents, A. and Demarius (Well) 
Sawyer, removed to Wisconsin, where the 
father died in 1848. The mother died in 
1863 in Minnesota. After securing his land 
liere in 1856. Philo returned to Wisconsin, 
remaining until 1857, when he came here to 
stay. In 1864 he enlisted in Company D, 
Eleventh Minnesota Infantry, under Col. 
Ball, serving until the close of the war. He 
received his discharge in Gallatin, Tenn., 
since which time he has followed farming on 
his original homestead. He has been identi- 
fied with the interests of his township, hav- 
ing been a township officer for a number of 
years, and is an active and highly respected 
citizen. 

Tiionias Brown is the second son of C. V. 
Brown, a pioneer settler of Berlin Township, 
who came in 1856 and located on section 27, 
wliere iiis death occurred. There were four 
children : Charles, Thomas, John and Mary. 
The father was one of the first supervisors of 
the township ; was postmaster for a number 
of 3'^ears. His death occuri'ed July 1, 1868. 
When twenty-one years of age, Thomas 
left home and began life for himself. He 
settled in Berlin Township on his present 
farm on section 22, in 1875, where he is still 



engaged in genei-al fanning and stock-rais- 
ing. He was born in New York in 1847, 
and in 1875 was married to Miss Mary Hare. 
They have five children : Mary Sedate, Hel- 
len Elizabeth, Thomas Franklin, Jefferson 
Newton and Eva Corrinne, all of whom are 
living at home. 

Francis J. Trowe was one of the settlers 
of 1856. He was born in Sullivan County, 
N. H., February 14, 1830. He emigrated to 
McIIenry County, 111., where he only re- 
mained a short time. From there he went 
to Du Page County, 111. At Marengo, 111., 
he married Miss Clara E. Mitchell, and 
in the spring of 1856, with their oldest 
child, they started with an ox team for the 
far west, coming by way of McGregor, where 
they found the waters of the Mississippi so 
high at the lower wharf that with difficulty 
they gained a landing. After undergoing 
all the vicissitudes of such an overland 
journey they arrived in Steele County, Minn., 
in July, 1856, and located in Berlin Town- 
ship. Mr. Trowe enlisted in 1863 in Com- 
pany C, Second Minnesota Cavalry, under 
Gen. Sibley in the campaign against the In- 
dians. He was mustered out of the service 
at Fort Snelling in 1865. He is a Kepublican 
in politics. He is the present township 
assessor, which office he has held for many 
consecutive terms. He has nine children: 
Edwin F., George H., Charles II., Willis L., 
Lillie N., Julia E., Frank S., Clara V. and 
Fred. S. They were called to mourn the 
loss of Frank S., who died June 7. 1887, of 
scarlet fever, aged eighteen j^ears. He was 
a promising and estimable young man and 
had been a member of the Good Templars 
since the organization of the lodge. 

Robert H. Reynolds was born in Pittsburg, 
Pa., June 12, 1844. He immigrated with his 
parents to Steele County, Minn., in 1856, 
from Fond du Lac, Wis. His father, Robert 
Reynolds, located on sections 13 and 23, 
Berlin Township, where he lived until the 
time of his death, August 23, 1884. On Au- 
gust 14, 1862, Robert H. enlisted in Company 



HISTORY OF STEELE CODNTT. 



381 



E, Tenth Minnesota Regiment, and was in 
the service three years. He was with Gen. 
Sibley the first year fighting Indians ; the re- 
maining time was in the south. After being 
discharged at Fort SnelUng he returned home, 
and later he went to Waseca County, Minn., 
where he lived seven years, then removed to 
his present home in Berlin Township. He 
was married in 1869, and they have five 
children : Frank, Fred, Pearly, Edith and an 
infant. 

John Culver settled on section 11, in 1856. 
He remained there until 1877, when he re- 
moved to New Eichland. In 1885 he went 
to Nebraska. 

J. Winchell came in 1856 and selected a 
claim on section 24. This continued to be 
his home until 1879, when he "pulled up 
stakes " and removed to Wisconsin. 

Levi Chase was another of the arrivals in 

1856. The tract which he chose for a home 
was on section 21, and he remained here 
until 1866, when he removed to Owatonna 
and in 1880 went to Madison, Wis. 

A. Ingerson came in 1857, and settled on 
section 27. He held the office of county sur- 
veyor while living here, and is mentioned at 
length elsewhere. 

Morris O. Sullivan came either in 1856 or 

1857, and located on section 30, where he 
still lives. 

William Lonergan Sr. came in 1857, set- 
tled on section 17, and remained there until 
the time of his death in 1877. 

A. Miller came in 1857 and located on 
section 18. 

J. B. Smith settled on section 11, in 1857. 
In 1864 he enlisted in the Eleventh Minne- 
sota Volunteer Infantry, and went into the 
service. After the close of the war he set- 
tled in Owatonna. In 1877, he removed to 
the northwestern part of the State. 

George W. Goodrich also came in 1857. 
In 1872 he removed to Dakota, where he 
died in 1885. 

Henry D. Bingham resides on section 2, 
Berlin Township, where he has 120 acres, 



fifty of which is under cultivation. He was 
born in Susquehanna County, Pa., October 
26, 1831. In 1850 he married Miss Serhnda 
L. Chamberlain in Pennsylvania. In 1851 
they moved to Waushara County, Wis. 
They immigrated in 1862 to Steele County, 
Minn., with an ox-team and wagon, contain- 
ing all their worldly effects. They went 
through the Winnebago agency, then occu- 
pied by Indians, and witnessed quaint cus- 
toms and dances of the Indians. They 
halted at Garden City, Blue Earth County, 
Minn., but were driven from there by the 
Indians, and then came to Owatonna. A 
few years later they removed to their pres- 
ent liome. Their eldest daughter, Edith A., 
died in the autumn of 1869, at their present 
home, aged seventeen. There are still liv- 
ing Ada R. (now Mrs. Farnsworth), Clar- 
ence A. and Claude E. In 1863 Mr. 
Bingham enlisted in Company C, Second 
Minnesota Cavalry, being sergeant of his 
company. He was inustered out at Fort 
Snelling, in November, 1865. The cam- 
paign, which was principally against the 
Indians, is remembered as one of extraordi- 
nary hardship and interspersed with many 
incidents. 

Hon. Horace A. Finch settled on section 
9, Berlin Township, in the fall of 1868. He 
was born in Turin, Lewis County, N. Y., 
December 17, 1842. His father and mother 
died when he was four years old. In 1849 
the children , James, Caddie, Minnie and 
Horace, moved to Fond du Lac, Wis., where 
Horace lived until 1861, when he enlisted in 
Company G, Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry, 
under Capt. John R. Wheeler, Col. Allen 
being in command. They were ordered at 
once to Pittsburg Landing. Their first en- 
gagement was at Shiloh, after which Mr. 
Finch was sick in the hospital three months. 
He joined his regiment near luka, Miss., 
from thence to Vicksburg ; then on to Lake 
Providence, La. ; thence to Redbone, Miss., 
where they " laid up " till February, 1864. 
There Mr. Finch reenlisted and received a 



382 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



veteran's furlough. He went to Cairo. III., 
and joined Sherman's army, then at Dalton, 
Ga., on its " march to the sea." He was in 
the Seventeenth Army Corps, and was en- 
gaged in all its battles and skirmishes. He 
was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., Septem- 
ber, 1865. He married Miss Irene Hazen, of 
"Wisconsin, in 1867. She died June 6, 1881. 
They had six children : Herbert, Fred., Cal- 
vin, Minnie, Chester and Mertie, only two of 
whom are living, Fred, and Mertie. In 
1883 he married Miss Katie E. Davis in 
Waupun, Wis. They have two children, 
Ray C, and Hattie Isabel. Mr. Finch was 
elected representative to the Legislature, 
from the twelfth district, in 1882, and served 
one term very acceptably to his constituents. 
He served on several special committees, 
and was chairman on committee of public 
lands. 

T. R Sheldon came to Steele County in 
February, 1869, and settled on his present 
farm on section 12, Berlin Townshi]). He is 
a native of New Yoi'k, born December 16, 
1820. In 18-13 he immigrated to Waukesha 
County, Wis., where he lived for eighteen 
years. He then removed to Olmsted 
County, Minn., and remained, there eight 
years. He married Miss Elizabeth Scott, of 
New York, in 18-11. She died in 1852, 
leaving two children to mourn her loss : 
Hudson B.. who married and is living in 
Grand Meadow ; and Adelaid L., married to 
L. P. Case, and living near Chatfield, Olm- 
sted County. Mr. Sheldon was again mar- 
ried, to Miss Parnelia B. Simons. They 
have one son, Frank, who lives near his 
father in the town of Summit. 

W. R. Ellis was born in Lincolnshire, Eng- 
land, in 1849. His parents, Samuel and 
Mary (Robinson) Ellis, emigrated to America 
in 1852, and went first to Lower Canada. In 
ISSlr they removed to Illinois, remaining 
there fifteen years, when they came to Steele 
County, Minn. W. R. Ellis came with thein. 
and for two years worked on a farm. He 
then learned the blacksmith trade, which he 



has since followed. He married Miss Annie 
McLaughlin of Illinois. They have three 
children ; Rosie, Benjamin and Veenie. They 
are active members of the Baptist Church. 
Samuel Ellis enlisted in Company D, 
Fifteenth Illinois Infantrj', in 1861, and 
again in 1864, in Company E, Fifteenth 
Illinois Infantry. After being discharged 
he resided with his son, W. R., until fad, 1887) 
when he removed to Tyler, Minn., and now 
lives with his youngest son, Edward Ellis. 

Ole Olson has a fine farm of 140 acres on 
sections 2 and 4, and is engaged in general 
farming and stoclc-raising. He was born in 
Norway, July 19, 1843, and came to America 
in 1865. He settled first in Lemond Town- 
ship, Steele County, Minn., and in 1871 
removed to Berlin Township. August 10, 
1865, he was joined in marriage to Miss 
Annie Johnson, who was born in Norway, 
May 26, 1846. They have eight children: 
Anna Matikle, born April 23, 1866 ; John 
William, born December 14, 1867 ; Lora 
Olivia, born April 21, 1870 ; Jein Mary, born 
December 8, 1872 ; Ola Martin, born Febi'u- 
ary 20, 1876 ; Emma Julie, born April 7, 
1879; Minnie Josephine, born October 15, 
1883, and Albert Emil, born September 7, 
1885. His family are all members of the 
Lutheran Church. 

Theodore Chambers, a prominent farmer 
of Berlin Township, is located on section 11. 
He has an excellent farm of 360 acres, 250 of 
which is under good cultivation. He was 
born in Du Page Count}^ 111., in October, 
1844. When eiglit years of age his parents 
moved to McHenry County, 111., subsequently 
to Owatonna, Steele County, Minn.. M'here 
the mother still lives. The father was city 
treasui'er at the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1881. Theodore moved to the 
Town of IVIeriden, where he lived four years, 
then came to Berlin. Later he removed to 
Owatonna and spent five years, then returned 
to his present liome. He was married in 
Faribault, Minn., in September, 1S66, to 
Miss Emilv Arnold of Owatonna. They have 



HISTOBY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



383 



five children : Edward W., James L., Frank, 
Marion and Grace F. He enlisted in 1862 
in Company F, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, 
under Capt. N. H. Stewart, Col. Church 
being in command at first, but was soon 
relieved by Col. Thomas Humphrey. The 
regiment remained in camp two months at 
Eockford, 111., when they were ordered to 
Jackson, Miss., and joined the Third Division 
Seventeenth Army Corps at that place. He 
served during the entire campaign, participat- 
ing m all the battles and skirmishes, and 
realized all the hardships incidental to a 
soldier's life. After the engagement at 
Oxford, Miss., they returned to Holly Springs, 
and took a forced march to Ripley to head 
off Van Dorn and Price. They were then 
ordered to Holly Springs, by land and rail to 
Memphis, then by boat to Lake Providence, 
La., where they remained two months, then 
overland to Vicksburg, and remained on duty 
in the rear of that city until its surrender. 
From Natchez, they were ordered on the Eed 
Piver expedition in Arkansas and Missouri 
against Price, took part at Fort Du Russey, 
Old Piver, Clouterville, Yellow Bayou, Gun 
Town, etc. ; the campaign against Hood in 
Tennessee ; thence to Mobile, siege at 
Spanish Fort in 186.5, and Fort Blakely. Also 
participated in Sherman's Georgia campaign, 
at Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee River, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro, etc., the i-egiment ti'avel- 
ing during service 9,960 miles. In the 
engagement at Guntown they met with a 
reverse and Col. Humphreys was Idlled, a 
loss sadly deplored by his men. The regi- 
ment afterward reorganized at Memphis. 
On their first raid to Greenville and Wood- 
ville, they destroyed large quantities of fionr, 
bacon, sugar, hams and commissary stores of 
the enemy, tore u]) the railroad track, took 
300 head of horses and mules and a large 
herd of Texas cattle. In their second raid 
from Brownsville to Sedalia, in pursuit of 
Price, whom they failed to capture, they 
destroyed large quantities of his supplies. At 
the expiration of his term of enlistment, he 



was mustered out at Springfield, III, in Au- 
gust, 1865. 

ORGANIZATION 

When Steele County was organized in Au- 
gust, 1855, the territory which now comprises 
Berlin Township (and for that matter the 
whole of the county), became a part of 
Owatonna Township. It remained in this 
shape until the 6th of April, 1857, when the 
board of county commissioners set off town- 
ship 105, range 21, and authorized its organ- 
ization as a civil township, to be called 
" Berlin." The name was derived from the 
town of that name in Wisconsin. The proper 
spelling of the name is "Berlin," as it is com- 
monly used at this daj', although in the 
earlier county records the name appears 
Burlin. 

The organization of the township was not 
fully perfected until the spring of 1858, 
when, on the 11th day of Maj', a full set of 
township officers was elected, as follows : 
Supervisoi's, C. V. Brown, Thomas McCor- 
mick and M. Warren ; assessor, Otis Bath- 
rick ; clerk, H. Lawson ; justices of the peace, 
Michael Wright and George Goodrich ; col- 
lector, John O. Shea. 

The following is a list of the present town- 
ship officers, elected March 9, 1887 : Super- 
visors, H. A. Finch, H. Bradley and J. Tor- 
gesen ; clerk, D. M. Betchen ; treasurer, J. 
Malone ; assessor, F. T. Trowe ; justices, J. 
M. Cusick and A. Gales. 

VARIOUS EVENTS. 

The first marriage in the township was 
that of John O. Culver to Miss Jane Gordon. 
The ceremony was performed by Hiram 
Pitcher, Esq., a justice of the peace, in 1857. 
This being the first time the justice had pei"- 
formed the ceremony, he varied a little from 
the usual form, and the groom was made to 
promise to obey the bride instead of the 
bride obeying the groom. The first birth 
was that of Fred Brown, who now lives in 
Waseca County. It occurred in January, 
1857. The first death was that of Mrs. J. 



384 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



V. Gordon, which occurred Nov. 30, 1859. 
The remains were buried in Berlin cemetery. 

The first ground broken for a crop was 
done by Levi Chase, in the summer of 1856. 

The second marriage in the township was 
that of Ashbel Ingerson to Sarah A. Chase. 
The ceremony was performed by Eev H. 
Chapin, in August, 1875. 

About the first fatal accident which 
occurred in tlie township, was the drown- 
ing of John Brown, a lad of eighteen or 
nineteen years of age, in Beaver Lake. His 
body was secured a few hours after death 
had claimed him. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The first religious services in the township 
were held at the residence of Levi Chase, in 
the fall of 1856, when praj'er meetings and 
a Sabbath school were established. In the 
fall of 1657, Rev. Mr. Kirkpatrick and Rev. 
S. N. Phelps commenced preaching on alter- 
nate Sabbaths. 

A Methodist organization was effected in 
1858, by Elder Phelps. 

On the 27th of August, 1859, a Baptist 
Church was organized by Elder Town, of 
Owatonna. The last preacher was Rev. B. 
K. Dye, of Clinton Falls. 

SCHOOLS. 

The fir.st school in the township was 
taught in the winter of 1857-8, by D. T. 
Gordon, in an old log blacksmith shop, 
which stood on the edge of Beaver Lake, on 
section 16. The following j'ear the present 
log schoolhouse was erected by the citizens. 
The same party taught the first school in 



the house. That was the only school build- 
ing in the township at that time. 

POSTOFFICES. 

The first jjostoffice in the township was 
established in 1856, under the name of 
Adamsville, with Hiram Pitcher as postmas- 
ter. He also carried the mail from Owa- 
tonna, many times going on foot, and, in 
the winter, using snow-shoes. In 1857 the 
name of the office was changed to Berlin. 

C. V. Brown was the second postmaster, 
and held the office until the time of his death. 
Succeeding him in turn came S. A. Gordon, 
G. W. Sawyer, Peter Betchen, C. W. Fox, 

D. McLaughlin and S. Ellis. The one last 
named is the present postmaster, having 
taken the office in 1884. 

BUSINESS. 

In 1871 a cheese factory was started on 
section 12, at a cost of some $5,000, by a 
company formed for that purpose , composed 
of citizens of the township, After being in 
operation for a time, the plant was sold to 
Mr. Sloan, and later Mr. Miller became in- 
terested. After a few years the enterprise 
was abandoned, as it had not proved a profita- 
ble investment. 

About 1875 a store was started by Miller 
& Sloan in a part of the cheese factory 
building, and the postoffice was also kept 
there. L. Barrett also started a store on 
section 13, but both concerns were closed 
out b}^ their creditors, after running a few 
years. 

W. R. Ellis started a blacksmitli shop on 
section 22, in April, 1875, which he still 
operates. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



SUMMIT TOWNSHIP. 




lUMMIT forms the center of the 
southern tier of townships, em- 
bracing congressional township 
105, range 20. On the north it is 
bounded by Somerset Town 
ship ; on the east by Blooming 
Prairie Township; on the west 
by Berlin Township, and on the 
south by Freeborn Countj^ The 
northwest corner of the township has consid- 
erable timber. A branch of the Straight 
River runs across the northwest corner, in a 
northeasterly direction, while another branch, 
taking its rise in a little lake lying partly in 
the town of Blooming Prairie, flows, in a 
northwesterljr course, across the entire town, 
furnishing an abundant supply of water. 
The surface here is somewhat rolhng, and the 
prairie is diversified by the many groves 
which have been set out bj^ the settlers. The 
soil here is of a light but productive nature — 
of about the same character as is found in 
tlie other portions of the county. In 1857 
Summit Township had a population of 45. 
In 1885 this had grown to 551 inhabitants. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST CONCERNING OLD SETTLERS 
AND PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

The first settlement within the limits now 
comprising Summit Township, was made in 
the summer of 1856, by John Bennett and 
a man named Dribilibus, both single men. 
Bennett selected a claim on section 9, and 
his companion on section 4. The former re- 
mained here for several 3'ears, then removed 
to Dakota, where he still lives. Dribilibus, 
after a year or two, sold out and left. 

Later in the same season (1856), Hiram 
Fredenburg, H. W. Ruliffson and D. A. 
Loomis came with their families, and also a 



man named Heath, and all selected claims. 
Mr. Fredenburg was a native of New York, 
and a man of prominence in early days. He 
selected a claim on section 20 and remained 
in the township until 1880, when he removed 
to Owatonna. 

Mr. Rulifl'son located on section .30, where 
he lived until 1880, when he removed to Da- 
kota. 

Mr. Loomis settled on the same section and 
remained until late in the "seventies," when 
he removed to Dakota Territory, where he 
still lives. 

G. W. Knapp located here in June, 
1856, pitched his tent and at once went to 
" housekeeping.'" 

William Cooley came in 1856 and is still a 
prominent citizen. Mr. Cooley is a native of 
Massachusetts. He was born June 1st, 1812. 
His parents, Moses and Lucretia (Graves) 
Cooley, died before our subject arrived at 
manhood, his father dying in 1815, and his 
mother in 1826. When sixteen years of age 
William Coolej' went to Geneva, Seneca 
County, N. Y., where he remained five years, 
learning the carpenter's and wagon-maker's 
trade. In the summer of 1833, he came to 
Chicago, Ills., where he remained until 1854. 
He then came to Minnesota, locatino- in 
Chatfield. Finally, on the Uh of September, 
1856, he came to Steele County, settling at 
once in Summit Township, on section 25. 
At that early day Mr. Cooley had charge of 
the postofiice and stage station, which was 
named Cooleysville, in honor of him. Mr. 
Cooley had charge of it for six years, at which 
time the stage route was changed. Our subject 
was offered $25 to sign a petition to have 
the postofBce moved four miles farther west, 
which he did, refusing to take the money. 



385 



386 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



He remained on section 25 for nine years, 
then removed to section 14, where he still 
lives. Mr. Cooley has been twice married : 
first, on December 25, 1833, to Eebecca 
"Warner, who died November 12, 1851, leav- 
ing two children: Mary E., born October 
6, 1834, and Delia, born February 22, 1837. 
Mary E. married W. V. Johnson. They 
reside in Chicago, 111. Delia was married 
in 1852, to Julius Moffit. Their home is in 
Nickerson, Kan. Mr. Cooley was married 
December 31, 1852, to Catherine Cull. 

A. C. Colquhon came here in 1856, and 
located on section 24, where he remained 
until the death of his wife, which occurred 
three or four years later. After this, he 
spent some time in Wisconsin, and then i-e- 
turned to his old home. A few years later 
he removed to Blooming Pi-airie Township, 
where he still lives. 

Mr. Dunlavey came in '1857, and settled 
on section 14. After a few years he sold 
out his interests here and left. 

John W. Smith was also nmong the pio- 
neers of " \57." Mr. Smith was born in 
Virginia, November 1, 1817. He remained 
in his native State until twenty years of age, 
then in company with his parents settled in 
Ohio, where they resided for seventeen years. 
J. W. Smith came to Minnesota in Septem- 
ber 1854, locating in Chatfield, Fillmore 
County, where he remained three years. In 
June, 1857, he came to Steele County, locat- 
ing on section 35, in Summit Township, 
where he lives at the present time. Mr. 
Smith was married in 1841. They had three 
children : William L., James A. and David. 
William was married and lived in Summit 
Township, on section 34, until the time of his 
death, which occurred in January, 1880. He 
left a large family to mourn his loss. James 
A. lived with his parents until 1862, wlien 
lie enlisted in Company E, Tentli Minnesota 
Infantry, at that time being but eighteen 
years of age. He was wounded in the bat- 
tie of Tupelo and died soon after in the hospi- 
tal. David lived with his parents until 1864 



then enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Min- 
nesota Infantry, remaining in service until 
the close of the war. He then returned 
home, and died three years later of a dis- 
ease contracted in the army. Mrs. Smith 
died in 1850. Mr. Smith was married to his 
second wife, Elizabeth Erat, in 1852. 

William Goolsby settled in Summit Town- 
ship in 1858, selecting his share of govern- 
ment land on section 14. He remained here 
until a few j'ears ago, when he removed to 
Dakota Territory, where he still lives. 

T. E. Kenyon, in company with his par- 
ents, Thomas and Mary L. (Smith) Kenyon, 
came to Steele County, Minn., from Otsego 
County, N. Y., in 1856, locating in Somerset 
Township, our subject, at that time, being 
only ten years of age. The father resided 
in Somerset until the time of his death. T. 
E. Kenyon remained with his parents until 
1863, when he enlisted in Company C, Sec- 
ond Minnesota Cavalry, under Col. Thomas, 
remaining in the service until the fall of 1865, 
when he was discharged at Fort Snelling. 
He then returned home, where he remained 
one year. He then started out in life for 
himself. In 1877 Mr. Kenyon located on his 
present place in Summit Township, on sec- 
tions 5 and 6, where he has since resided. 
Mr. Kenyon was married in 1870, to Alliecia 
Twiford. They have two children : Arthur 
and Mary E. 

Edward Darmody was born in Ireland in 
1845. When live years of age he came to 
America in company with his parents, Mich- 
ael and Bridget Darmod3^ They located in 
Rock County, Wis., where the}' remained un- 
til 1862. They then, in company with P. P. 
Thimsen, Mrs. Thirasen, Pat. Fallon and John 
Anderson, came to Minnesota, traveling by 
team. Mrs. Darmody died on the journey, 
and was buried at Spring Valley, Minn. 
Mr. Darmody at once settled in Steele County, 
taking up government land on section 10, 
Summit Township, where Mr. Darmody 
Sr. remained with bis son Edward until tlie 
time of his death, in 1S66. Our subject, Ed- 



I 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



387 



ward Diirmody, was married in 1867 to Mary 
Welsch. They liave eight children ; Bridget, 
Katie Ellen, Michael, Thomas, Edward, 
Margaret, Eliza and Mary. Mr. Darmody 
has always taken an active interest in town 
affairs. He was elected supervisor in 1868, 
and has held some town office ever since. 

A. Hemingway was born in Canada in 
1843. In 1844, his parents, Josiah and Eli- 
zabeth (Lawrence) Hemingway with their 
family removed to Wisconsin, where Mr. 
Hemingway Sr. died. Mrs. IIemingwa\' 
came to Minnesota in the spring of 1866, to 
live with her sons, Clinton and George, who 
reside on section 18, in Summit Township. 
A. Hemingway, our subject, came to Steele 
County in 1866, locating on section 19, in Sum- 
mit Township, where he remained four years. 
He then returned to Wisconsin. He remained 
there until 1878, and then returned to his 
original farm in Steele Couutj^, where he has 
since resided. In August, 1862, he enlisted 
in Company B, Thirtj^-second Wisconsin In- 
fantry, under Col. Howe, remaining in ser- 
vice until the close of the war. He was in a 
number of battles, among which were Three 
Rivers, Columbia, S. C, the taking of 
Savannah, Ga., with Sherman, on his march 
to the sea, and was also at the grand re- 
view, at Washington. Mr. Hemingway was 
married in Fond du Lac, Wis., in January, 
1867, to Miss Olive Nickerson. They have 
five children : Elsie, Lula, Myrta, Elwin 
and Eva. 

A. C. Tennis, who resides on section 28, 
in Summit Township, Steele County, Minn., 
was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1835. 
He remained in his native town until twenty- 
three years of age, and then came to Minne- 
sota, locating in Wabasha County, where he 
remained one year. In April, 1867, Mr. 
Tennis removed to Steele County, locating 
at once on the place where he now lives. 
His parents were Samuel and Jane Tennis. 
Mrs. Tennis died while our subject -was quite 
young. Mr. Tennis Sr. came west with his 
son A. C, and settled with him. 



Scott Hayes, who lives on section 6, in 
Summit Township, was born in Hartford 
County, Conn., October, 15, 1829. He re- 
sided with his parents until eigliteen years 
of age, then served as an apprentice for 
three years at the blacksmith's trade. He 
then worked at his trade for a few years. In 
June, 1859, he came to Steele County, Minn., 
taking up government land on section 6, in 
Summit Township, where he remained until 
he proved up on the land. In the fall of 
1859 Mr. Hayes returned to Hartford, 
Conn., remaining there until 1869. He then 
returned to Steele County, locating on the 
land taken up ten years before, where he has 
since remained. Mr. Hayes was married in 
1864 to Mrs. Elvira Elder. They had one 
child, Nellie A., who married Mr. James 
Cassady. She died December 26, 1885, leav- 
ing a small family. 

E. Coggins was born in Ireland in 1835. 
He remained in his native land until twenty 
years of age, then came to America, landing 
in New York, May 10, 1855. He remained 
in that State two years, then went to Penn- 
sylvania, where he worked one year in the 
iron works. He then returned to New York, 
where he remained until 1859, then removed 
to Racine County, Wis. After remaining 
there for some time, he went south to Car- 
son's Landing, Miss., where he remained a 
short time. He then returned to Racine, 
Wis., and engaged in farming. In 1870 Mr. 
Coggins came to Steele County, Minn., and 
was employed on the farm of Dr. Morehouse 
for two years. He then bought his present 
farm on sections 12 and 13, in Summit Town- 
ship, where he has since lived, engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. Mr. 
Coggins was married May 2, 1861, to 
Bridget Toher. They have nine children. 
Mr. Coggins was elected town su})ervisor in 
1880 ; was reelected in 1881, and again in 
1883. He is one of the leading men of 
Summit Township and a prominent citizen 
of Steele County. 

John Ryan, a prominent farmer residing 



388 



HISTORY OF STEELE COtTNTY. 



on section 20, in Summit Township, was born 
in DurhaiB, England. He came to America 
wlien six years of age, with his parents, John 
and Margret Rj^an, locating in Ohio. Our 
subject lived with his parents until fourteen 
years of age, then started out in life for 
himself, going to ISTew Orleans, La., where 
he remained two years. In October, 1855, 
he came to Minnesota, locating in Freeborn 
County, remaining there until the war broke 
out. He then enlisted, October 15, 1861, in 
Company F, Fourth Minnesota Volunteer 
Infantry, remaining in the service three years 
and three months. He was in the following 
battles : luka, Corinth, Raymond, Jackson, 
Champion Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Chat- 
tanooga, Altoona Pass and also with Sher- 
man on his march to the sea. Mr. Ryan 
received his discharge January 14, 1865, at 
Savannah, Ga., and returned to Freeborn 
County, Minn., where he again engaged in 
farming. In 1865 he sold his farm and 
came to Steele County, locating on his pres- 
ent place, where he has since lived. He was 
married November 16, 1861, to Julia Fitz- 
simmons. They have six children : Huldah, 
Patrick, Martha, Margret, James and Mary 
Ann. 

D. P. Sawyer was born in Vermont in 
1839. He remained with his parents, Otis 
and Mary Anna (Bickford) Sawyer, until 
twenty-one years of age. He lived in Ver- 
mont until the war broke out, enlisting in 
June, 1861, in Company B, Third Vermont 
Infantry, being under Col. Hyde for three 
years. Mr. Sawyer was in forty-seven bat- 
tles, the first being the battle of Bull Run. 
Mr. Sawyer received his discharge in the fall 
of 1864, at Burlington, Vt. He then returned 
home, where he remained two years, and 
then came to Minnesota, locating in Freeborn 
County, where he lived for ten years. He 
then came to Steele Count}', locating on sec- 
tion 21, in Blooming Prairie Township. Six 
years later he removed to Summit Township, 
settling on section 20, where he resides at the 
present time. Mi'. Sawyer was married in 



1876 to Melinda McFall, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania. They have four children : Ira, Mabel, 
Floid and Elwin. Mr. Sawyer is engaged in 
farming and stock-raising, and is among the 
representative citizens of this part of the 
county. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first birth in the township was that 
of Adelbert Heath, son of Roswell Heath, 
who was born in 1857. 

The first marriage took place in December, 
1858, the parties being Benjamin "Wheeler 
and Miss Delia Fredenburg. 

The first death was that of Mrs. Delora 
Fredenburg, wife of Jeremiah Fredenburg, 
which occurred in 1860. 

A postoflice called CooleyviUe was estab- 
lished in 1858. The postmasters have been 
as follows : William Cooley, H. Fredenburg, 
M. Hitchcock, M. Fredenburg, John Curtis, 
A. D. Felton and Julia A. Ryan. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in district No. 38 was 
taught by Celia Fredenburg, now Mrs. P. 
Francis, of Medford, in the summer of 1862, 
occupying an old log house, which had been 
previously used by Paul Miller. Several 
terms were held here. 

The first schoolhouse erected in district 
No. 38, was built in 1864, a frame structure, 
which cost about $300. The district then 
embraced half the township. 

The first school in district No. 51 was held 
in a log schoolhouse, which was erected in 
1867. The first teacher was Ellen Donaldson. 
In 1875 a new schoolhouse Avas erected, 
about half a mile east of the old site, at a cost 
of about $600. 

The first school meeting in district No. 74, 
was held in September, 1876, when the or- 
ganization of the district was effected. A 
schoolhouse was erected the following 3'ear 
at a cost of about $325. The first teacher 
was Nora Loomis. 

OEGAHIZATION. 

Like all other townships in the two western 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



389 



tiers, the territory Avliich now forms Sum- 
mit became a part of Owatonna Township 
when the county was organized in 1855. It 
remained in this shape until April 6, 1857, 
when the board of commissioners set off 
township 105, range 20, and authorized its 
organization, under the name of Summit 
Township. The organization, however, was 
not perfected until the lOtli of May, 1858, 
when a town meeting was held at the house 
of Hiram Fredenburg, and the following 
township officers were elected : Supervisors, 



Hiram Fredenburg, chairman, R. M. Davis 
and G. W. Knapp ; clerk, N". S. Kingsley ; 
assessor, William Cooley ; constables, Daniel 
Loomis and George Mitchell ; justices of the 
peace, Hiram Fredenljurg and G. "W. Knapp. 
The present officers of the township were 
elected March 8, 1887, viz : Supervisors, H. C. 
Borchert, C. E. Clark, A. C. Tennis ; clerk, 
E. Darmody ; treasurer, Joseph Yoith ; as- 
sessor, W. E. Kenyon ; justices, T. C. Clark 
and D. P. Sawyer. 



U^2^ 




CHAPTER XXXI. 



BLOOMING PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE. 




( )RMING the southeastern cor- 
ner of Steele County is Blooming- 
Prairie Township, embracing 
township 105, range 19. The 
township was originally called 
Oak Glen, a name derived from a 
glen in the northern part, in which 
is a little lake surrounded by a 
heavy growth of oak. There 
are three of these lakes, one covering some- 
wiiat over a section of land, and each of the 
other two about 100 acres. About one-third 
of the townsliip in the northwest portion, is 
covered with scattering oak or oak open- 
ings, while the Ijalance is rolling prairie. The 
soil here is about the same as is found in 
other portions of the county, rich and pro- 
ductive. The township is becoming well 
settled, the population having a heavy foreign 
element, but as a whole the inhabitants are 
as thrifty, intelligent and prosperous as any 
community in the State. 

EAELY SBTTLEES AND PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

The first settlement within the limits now 
comprising Blooming Prairie Township was 
made in July, 1856, by John Blythe, who 
selected 160 acres of government land on 
sections 19 and 30 and put up a log cabin. 

In October of the same year, Dennis Moran 
arrived with his family, consisting of wife 
and two sons and a sister-in-law. Mr. Moran 
located on section 29. He died on the same 
section. Thomas Bray came in Januaiy, 
1857, and it is thought that Mr. Whaley and 
his son-in-law, Mr. Ewers, settled in the 
northern part of the township at about the 
same time. These were the only families 
who settled in the township that winter 
although many passed through. 



After this, the township settled uj) very 
slowly. The financial panic of 1857 coming 
as it did, checked travel very much, and 
times became very hard. Early in the sixties 
the number of settlers became more numer- 
ous, although the outbreak of the rebellion 
prevented the town from filling up very 
rapidly. 

Among others who came at an early day 
and settled here are the following named : J. 
H. McDaniels, James Carey, Joseph Bran- 
ning, George Topliff, Andrew Cole, Thomas 
Sweeney, Miles Flannagan, G. Stoddard, S. 
Roberts, C. E. Hancock, Patrick Fallon, 
John Anderson, P. P. Thimsen, N. P. Thim- 
sen, T. Feeney and others. 

In this connection we present biographical 
sketches of many of the ]iioneers and other 
leading citizens of the township. 

The honor of being the first settlers of the 
territory which now forms the town of 
Blooming Prairie, undoubtedly belongs to 
John Blythe and family. John Blythe was 
a native of England, and was born in 1828. 
His father, Richard Blythe, died when he 
was a child, and his mother married a Mr. 
Bishop. She died when John was eleven 
years of age. John Blythe came to the 
United States when quite young and lived 
at Milwaukee, Wis., until 1851, when he 
located at Chicago, 111. At that city, on the 
20th of October, 1852, he was married to 
Miss Eliza Jane Patton, by Rev. R. H. 
Clarkson, afterward Bishop of Nebraska. 
They remained in Chicago until the spring 
of 1856, when they determined to seek their 
future home on the sunset side of the 
Mississippi, and secure a farm. Mr. Blythe 
had followed the active and adventurous 



390 








/U^y/s. 




■ (d£C£A3£0) 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



393 



In coming 



business of a sailor on tlie lakes, 
west, they came by railway and steamboat 
to Winona, where a team was hired to brine: 
the goods and the family (which then con- 
sisted of the parents and two children) to 
Coole\'sville, in Summit Township. They 
paid $42.50 in gold for the trip, besides 
$12.50 incidental expenses from Winona to 
their new home. Early that fall Mr. Blj'the 
selected government land on sections 19 
and 30, in Blooming Prairie Township, this 
being the first claim taken in the township. 
Here they built at first a little cabin 14x16 
feet in size and lived on the place for nine 
years, when in the spring of 1866, they pur- 
chased the farm of David Bagley, on section 
26, where the family still live. On the 26th 
of September, 1864, Mr. Blythe enlisted in 
Company B, First Regiment Heavy Ar- 
tillery, and served until June 11, 1865, when 
he was honorably discharged at Chatta- 
nooga, Tenn. With the exception of tiiis 
absence, his home remained in Blooming 
Prairie Township from the date of his 
settlement in 1856 until the time of his 
death, April 1, 1886. He had taken an ac- 
tive part in all public piatters, and was well- 
known throughout all this portion of the 
county as an upright, honorable and enter- 
prising citizen. In his death the family lost 
a kind father and the county lost one of 
its earliest pioneers and most esteemed citi- 
zens. A portrait of him will be found else- 
where in this volume. Mrs. Blythe, who 
survives her husband, was a daughter of 
Joseph and Mary (Tucker) Patton, natives 
of Ireland. In 1832 they settled at Kingston, 
in Upper Canada, where the father was en- 
gaged at boot and shoe making until the 
time of his death. In 1852, as stated, Mr. 
and Mrs. Blythe were married at Chicago, 
and in 1856 settled here. Thej' were blessed 
with eight children, who are living, as 
follows: William H., born July 9, 1854; 
Eobert JST., born April 21, 1856; Richard 
H., born March 29, 1860 ; Mary A., born 
February 23, 1862 ; Grace J., born March 28, 

23 



1864; Frank D., born March 25, 1868; 
Annie M., born October 2, 1870, and Albert 
J., born February 9, 1873. Mrs. Blythe is, 
and Mr. Blythe was until his death, a promi- 
nent member of the Episcopal Church. Mrs. 
Bh'the is in good circumstances, so far as 
this world's goods is concerned, and carries 
on her large farm in a profitable manner. 

Thomas Bra}' is another jiioneer, whose 
name is indissolubly connected with the 
early history and development of Steele 
County. Being one of the very earliest 
settlers of Blooming Prairie Township, he 
witnessed and participated in all the hard- 
ships and disadvantages which attended the 
early part of Steele County's existence. Mr. 
Bray was a native of England, but came from 
there when eighteen years of age, and lived 
in Racine County, Wis, until 1856. He 
then came west, and for a short time stopped 
in the southwestern part of Dodge County, 
Minn. In January, 1857, he crossed the 
county line and took up government land 
on section 35, Blooming Prairie Township. 
Here he built a cabin and made a home. 
Settlers were very few and far between in 
those daj's, markets were onlj' to be found at 
Hastings or Winona, and many a time the 
settlers almost gave up in despair, as the 
trips had to be made overland, camping 
by the wayside, and fording or swimming 
the sloughs and streams. In early times 
prices were also very low, money was very 
scarce, and not a few were the times when 
starvation seemed almost to stare them in 
the face. Such were the disadvantages 
which the pioneers had to contend with, but 
thev struggled on, and finally, success and 
competency crowned the efforts of those who 
were enterprising and frugal. Mr. Bray was 
married in 1857, to Miss Agnes Thorborn, a 
native of Scotland, who came to the United 
States when very young. They had eight 
children : James, who is married, and lives in 
Mower County ; Jennie, Lizzie, William, 
George, Albert, Allen and Richard. Mr. 
Bray died upon his original homestead on 



394 



HISTOET OF STEELE COUNTY. 



the 10th of November, 1876. He always 
took an active and prominent part in all 
public matters affecting this 2)art of the 
county, and was widely known and respect- 
ed as a man of the highest worth and integ- 
rity. His death was sincerely mourned, not 
only by his family, but by all wlio knew him. 
A portrait of him very apjn-opriately appears 
in this work. Mrs. Bray, who survives lier 
husband, with the aid of her children carries 
on extensive farming and stock-raising. 
The farm is one of the best in the townsliip 
containing 320 acres. 

Hon. A. Colquhoun, residing on section 30, 
is also a pioneer of Steele County. He was 
born in Nova Scotia, September 2, 1835. 
His parents were John and Mai-gret (Peter- 
son) Colquhoun. His father was a native of 
Argyleshire, Scotland, and his mother was 
also of Scottish descent. Our subject, A. 
Colquhoun, came to the United States when 
eighteen years of age, and in November, 
1856, came to Steele County, Minn., taking 
up government land on section 24, in Sum- 
mit Township, where he remained until he 
proved up on his land. He then went to 
Wisconsin, where he engaged in the lumber 
business for five years. In 1S02 j\Ir. Col- 
quhoun returned to Steele County. In 1S64 
he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Minne- 
sota Volunteer Infantry, remaining in the 
service until the close of the war, receiving 
his discharge at Fort Snelling, in Julv, 1865. 
He then returned to Steele County, and, in 
1866, selected government land on section 
30, Blooming Prairie (then Oak Glen) Town- 
ship, where lie has since lived. Mr. Colqu- 
houn was elected as first assessor of the 
townsliip after Oak Glen and Auroi'a were 
divided, and held the office for two years. 
He was also elected as chairman of the board 
of supervisors in tlie spring of 1872, serving 
until fall, at which time he was' elected to 
the State Legislature. He was again elected 
representative in 1880 and served until 1882. 
Mr. Colquhoun has taken an active part in 
aU educational matters, having been one of 



the school board for twenty successive years. 
His name appears frequently in these pages. 

C. B. Pettie, one of Steele County's most 
prominent men, was born in Westford, Ot- 
sego County, N. Y., December 8, 1834. He 
remained with his parents until twenty -one 
years of age, and then started out in life for 
himself. He came to Steele County. Minn., 
October 7, 1S5<), taking up government land 
on section 25, Aurora Township. He re- 
mained there until 1859. At that early 
date times were so hard that Mr. Pettie be- 
came discouraged and returned to Wiscon- 
sin, where he worked out on a farm for a 
year, at the end of the time taking a small 
pair of cattle for payment. He then went 
to work and made a wagon entirely of 
wood, with the exception of the draw bolt. 
He then started again for Steele County, 
Minn., driving througli in about two weeks, 
and locating on section 24, Blooming Prairie 
(then Oak Glen) Township, where he resides 
at the present time. In August, 1862, Mr. 
Pettie enlisted in Company A, Tenth Min- 
nesota Infantry, remaining in the service 
until June, 1865. He then returned to his 
farm, where he has since lived. Mr. Pettie 
was man-ied in 1868 to Frances A. Farring- 
ton. They had three children, two of whom 
are still living, Eddie and Lizzie. Mr. Pettie 
was elected chairman of the board of super- 
visors for the town of Oak Glen, in April 
1867, and has alwa^'s taken an active part in 
town matters. Among Mr. Pettie's posses- 
sions is tlie old W()(Klen wagon, wliicii he 
retains as a relic of former days. 

A. B. Clark was born in the State of New 
York and came to Steele County, Minn., 
June 12, 1856. He took up government land 
on section 22, in the town of Aurora, wliere 
he found five settlers who had been on the 
ground about one week. Tiie onlv now 
remaining settler of those five is Cliarles 
Adsit. Mr. Clark came by railroad and 
steamboat from his home in the east to 
Winona, Minn., and there ]n*ocured a yoke 
of oxen and drove to his new home in Min- 



mSTOET OF STEELE COITNTT. 



395 



nesota. After arriving, the first thing he did 
was to build a log house for the accommoda- 
tion of his wife and family, who cauie about 
a month later. The following year Mr. Clark 
was one of three men who assessed what 
was at that time Steele County, now Steele 
and "Waseca counties, he having to assess the 
south tier and the south half of the second 
tier of towns, making in all nine townsiiips. 
The work was not as pleasant at that day as 
it is now, the settlers being scattered, roads 
bad or none at all. Mr. Clark remained on 
his original farm until 1S76, at which time 
he moved to his present place in Blooming 
Prairie, where he has since lived. In the fall 
of 1880, he put in a stock of goods in the 
village of Blooming Prairie, and carried on 
merchandising in connection with farming 
for four years; then sold out his merchandise! 
and since that time has devoted his attention 
especially to the breeding of fine horses, so 
that to-day some of the best blooded horses 
in the county can be seen at his stables. Mr. 
Clark was married in ISiS, while in New 
York, to Esther M. Waterman. They have 
had six children : George W., born March 
11, 1850; Clara M., born May 2, 1852; Mary 
E., born October 31, 1854; Rosalind, born 
December 7, 1857; Frank B., born May 18, 
1861, and Amy N., born June 29, 1865. 

C. E. Hancock purchased his present farm 
in the spring of 1862. He is a native of Jef- 
ferson County, N". Y., and came to Steele 
County, Minn., in the spring of 1859, when 
he took up school land in Aurora Township. 
He afterward sold out and removed to his 
present farm in Blooming Prairie, where he 
is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. In those pioneer days Winona was 
his nearest trading point, to which place 
settlers hauled their grain and produce. 
Their loads would average thirty and forty 
bushels, and were drawn by two pair of 
oxen. The trip would require from seven to 
nine days and they could then only get from 
forty-five to sixty cents per bushel for their 
wlieat. At one time he took some excellent 



butter to Ped Wing and could get only five 
cents per pound for it. He has witnessed all 
the varied changes that have taken place, 
and has undergone the privations of an early 
settler. In 1864 he enlisted in the First 
j\[innesota Heavy Artillery, under Col. 
Thomas, and served until he was honorably 
discharged June 19, 1865, at Nashville, 
Tenn. He then returned to his present 
home. He was united in marriage to 
Pamelia Hanson, in New York, in 1856. 
They have four children : Lucy B., Fred., 
May and Albert. May was married to Mr. 
C. P. Ellis, and resides in Minneapolis. 

J. II. McDaniels was born in Vermont, 
June 12, 1822, and at an early day went to 
Canada. From Canada he went to Wiscon- 
sin, and was one of the pioneers of Waupun 
in that State, having settled in that town 
about the year 1848. He remained there 
until he came to Minnesota in about 1860. 
On first coming to this State he located on 
a farm on section 9, of Blooming Prairie 
(then Oak Glen) Township, Steele County. 
On this farm he remained until his death, 
which took place April 2, 1884. Mr. McDan- 
iels wiis one of the earliest settlers in that 
part of the town, his nearest neighbor being- 
four miles distant. His first house for him- 
self and family was built of poles and hay. 
As soon as ]iossil)le he erected a more sub- 
stantial building, which still stands on the 
farm. While in Canada, Mr. McDaniels was 
married to Julia Ann Carey. Thej^ have 
eight children : Robert, Mary, Celestia, John, 
Frank, Charles, IVIai'garet and Sarah. Frank 
McDaniels was born in Waupun, Wis., Oc- 
tober 4, 1858, and came to Steele County, 
Minn., with his parents when he was about 
two years of age. He lived with his parents 
till the time of their death. He was married 
May 24, 1886, to Julia E. Carey, a native of 
Wisconsin. He still lives on the old home- 
stead taken originally by his father in 1860. 
Frank McDaniels brought the first steam 
thrashing machine into the town of Bloom- 
ing Prairie. 



396 



HISTORT OF STEELE COUNTY. 



P. P. Thirasen came to Steele County, 
Minn., in 1862. He was born in Denmark, 
April 3, 1831. His father was Nis Thimsen. 
Our subject came to America in 1858, locat- 
ing in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he remained 
a short time ; he then removed to Rock 
County, "Wis., where he lived until 1862, 
when he came to Steele County, Minn. He 
at once took up government land on section 
8, Blooming Prairie (then Oak Glen) Town- 
ship, where he has since resided. Mr. Tliim- 
sen was married in 1863 to Julia A. Ackley, 
a native of Lafayette, N. Y. They have 
four children : Marion M., aged twenty-two; 
Hattie F., aged twenty ; John F., aged 
eighteen, and Katie M., aged thirteen. Mar- 
ion married Hans Johnson ; they reside in 
Blooming Prairie. Hattie married James C. 
Peterson ; their home is in Colorado. The 
other children live at home. Mr. Thimsen 
has a very fine farm of 400 acres, 300 of 
which are under cultivation. 

Patrick Fallon, a prominent farmer, resid- 
ine: on section 22, inBloominfj Prairie Town- 
ship, was born in Ireland, January 25, 1833. 
His parents were Martin and Hanora Fallon. 
When twenty-one years of age, Patrick 
came to America, landing in New York, 
May 5, 1854. He remained in that State 
a year, and then came to Wisconsin, locating 
in Rock County. In 1862 he came to Minne- 
sota, and took up government land on sec- 
tion 22, in Blooming Prairie (then Oak 
Glen) Township, where he has since lived. 
Mr. Fallon was married in New York, Sep- 
tember 2, 1855, to Bridget Conley. They 
have seven children : Sarah E., Mary, Libbie, 
Jennie, George, Frank and Maggie.. Sarah 
married J. Sorenson, a blacksmith, of Bloom- 
ing Prairie. Mary married Mr. O'Brien ; 
their home is in Owatonna. The other 
children live at home. Mr. Fallon has been 
prominent in public matters affecting the 
township, and has held various offices, in- 
cluding that of township treasurer and 
others. 

Michael Fallon, residing on section 22, 



Blooming Prairie Township, was born in 
Ireland, December 10, 1836, and came to 
America when twenty years of age. He 
located in Rock Countj^ Wis., where he 
lived for five j^ears. He then removed to 
Minnesota, taking up government land on 
section 22, Blooming Prairie (then Oak 
Glen) Township, Steele County, where he 
still lives. Mr. Fallon was married in 1865 
to Martha Jane Powers. They have four 
children : Michael J., Ella, Stephen and 
Gusta G. Mr. Fallon was elected town su- 
pervisor in 1875 ; was reelected in 1876, and 
was again elected in 1878. 

H. A. Dunton is one of the prominent 
and prosperous farmers of Blooming Prairie 
Township. He was born in Hampden, 
Me., in 1840. In 1857 his father, John 
Dunton, settled in Mower Countj'^, Minn., 
where he was one of its earliest settlers. In 
1863 they moved to Oak Glen, Steele County, 
and kept the stage station for some four 
years. He then went into business in the 
village of Blooming Prairie, which he con- 
tinued until his death in July, 1876. H. A. 
Dunton remained at home until 1863, then 
went to the Montana gold fields, where he 
remained a 3'ear or so, then returned to 
Blooming Prairie. He is actively interested 
in all that pertains to the good of his town- 
ship, and is present chairman of the board of 
supervisors. He was joined in marriage in 
April, 1874, to Emma Cary, a native of New 
York. They have five children : Bertha E., 
George, Jessie C, Mary and Allen Plenry. 

A. Dies is a native of Canada West. lie 
was born January 4, 1823. His parents 
were Matthew and Olive (Lenan) Dies. A. 
Dies resided in Canada until 1853, when he 
removed to the United States, coming to 
Chicago by boat, and from there to Olm- 
sted County, Minn., by team. He located 
in the town of Pleasant Grove, Avhere he re- 
mained ten years. He then came to Steele 
County, taking a homestead on section 22, 
Blooming Prairie (then Oak Glen) Town- 
ship, where he has since lived. Mr. Dies 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



397 



was married in Canada to Alice Clargo, who 
was born June 10, 1827. They had eleven 
children : Lucy J., born September 9, 1850 ; 
James W., born May 15, 1857; Olive A., 
born July 9, 1859 ; Mary E., born June 12, 
1861 ; Arthur, born May 30, 1863 ; Lewis E., 
born July 16, 1865, and Elmer M., born 
born September 16, 1868. Four children are 
dead : Geo. H., born August 23, 1818, died 
in May, 1875 ; James, born April 1, 1853, 
died October 15, 1853; Elizabeth, born Feb- 
ruary 28, 1855, died August 2, 1858, and 
Luther E., born July 16, 1865, died June 2, 
1869. Elmer and Lucy live at home. Mr. 
Dies has taken an active interest in public 
matters, and has held various local offices, 
including those of town supervisor and jus- 
tice of the peace. 

James W. Smith came from West Vir- 
ginia, where he was born, in July, 18-12. 
His parents were George and Sarah (Wal- 
lace) Smith, with whom James W. lived 
until he was fifteen years of age. At this 
age he started out to make his own way in 
the world. At the age of twenty he went 
to Pennsyh^ania., and engaged in farming 
until 1864, when he came to Steele County, 
Minn,, and took up government land on sec- 
tion 14, Blooming Prairie Township. Here 
Mr. Smith engaged in tilling the soil, prov- 
ing himself a successful farmer, and has 
remained on the original claim ever since 
he came liere. Mr. Smith was married Au- 
gust 11, 1864, to Jane Bridendolph, who is a 
native of Maryland. They have seven chil- 
dren : Amanda, Carey A., May E., Jennie, 
Calvin, Nellie and Cora. The children are 
all living at home. 

N. L. Dutton first came to Steele County, 
Minn., in 1865. He was born in Cattarau- 
gus County, N. Y., December 23, 1829. 
His parents were Ephram and Harriet 
(Starkweather) Dutton. Mr. Dutton, our 
subject, remained in his native State until 
twenty-two years of age. In 1852 he came 
to Waupun, Wis., where he remained eight 
years. He then moved to Rosendale, where 



he remained until 1862. He enlisted at that 
time in Company PI, Thirty -second Wiscon- 
sin Infantry. He remained in the service 
until September 25, 1865, receiving his dis- 
charge at St. Louis, Mo. He was under Col. 
Howe. Mr. Dutton then returned to Wiscon- 
sin, and in October of the same year came 
to Minnesota, remaining, however, only a 
short time. Returning to Wisconsin, he pro- 
cured a team and again started for Minne- 
sota, being two weeks on the way. He at 
once located on sections 25 and 26, in Sum- 
mit Township. In September, 1879, he re- 
moved to Blooming Prairie Township, set- 
tling on sections 23 and 26, where he still 
lives. Mr. Dutton was married October 20, 
1850, to Mary Brooks, a native of New 
York. They have six children: John, 
Franklin, Dwight, Will, Sarah and Hattie. 

James Dugan came with his parents, 
Dennis and Mary (Eyan) Dugan, from New 
York his birthplace, when eleven years of 
asre. He lived with them until 1885, when 
they removed to Owatonna, since which 
time he has operated the farm. He was 
married in February, 1884, to Margret Ber- 
gen. They have one child, Mary Margretta. 

Nels Johnson was born in Denmark, 
August 16, 1850. At the age of twenty-four 
he came to America, and settled in Bloom- 
ing Prairie Township, Steele County, Minn. 
When he came he bought a farm on sectioii 
28, where he has since resided. During his 
residence here Mr. Johnson has taken a com- 
mendable interest in the affairs of his county 
and town. He was elected supervisor of 
his town in 1879, and again in 1886 and 
1887. He was married April 3, 1875, to 
Anna Olson. This union has been blessed 
with four children : James, George, Nels P., 
and Henry, all of whom are living. 

A. J. Zwiener, a prominent farmer, re- 
siding on section 15, Blooming Prairie 
Township, is a native of Germany. He was 
born March 16, 1846. He remained in his 
native land until eight years of age, then 
came to America with bis parents, living 



398 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



with them until seventeen \'ears old. In 
February, 18G3, Mr. Zwiener enlisted in 
Company F, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin In- 
fantry, under Col. Green, and served 
until Jul}^ 1S64-, when he received his dis- 
charge while in a hospital at New Orleans, 
La. In 1865 Mr. Zwiener came to Minne- 
sota, locating in St. Paul, where he remained 
three 3'ears, then removed to Winona County. 
Five years later he removed to Wisconsin, 
where he lived two years, and tlien again 
came to Minnesota, locating on section 15, 
Blooming Prairie Township, where he still 
lives. Mr. Zwiener was married to Bertha 
Menzel. They have five children : Mary, 
Frank, Lena, Tracey and Lawrence. Mr. 
Zwiener was elected assessor in 1880, serv- 
ing two years. In 1SS3 he waselectetl town 
clerk, whicii office he still holds. Mr. 
Zwiener has always taken an interest in 
town matters, and is one of themost promi- 
nent citizens of Blooming Prairie Township. 

Fred. Nelson came to Steele County, Minn., 
in 1875. lie was born in Denmark, Novem- 
ber 1, 1851. His parents, Peter and Anna 
Nelson, were also natives of Denmark. Fred. 
Nelson remained in Denmark, working on 
a farm, until twenty-four j^ears of age, and 
then came to America, coming direct to 
Minnesota, and locating on section 14, 
Blooming Prairie Township, Steele County, 
Minn., where he remained four years. lie 
then sold that farm and bought a. place on 
section 3, where he has since lived, with the 
exception of the year 1886, when he had 
charge of the poor-farm. In 1878 Mr. 
Nelson was married to Annie Nelson, who 
was also a native of Denmark. They have 
three children : Ellen, Peter and Carroll. 
Mr. Nelson has a very good farm of 160 
acres, 100 of which is under cultivation. 

Peter Peterson was born in Denmark in 
1844. When twenty-eight }'ears old he came 
to America, locating in Illinois, remaining 
there for a short time. He then came to 
Steele County, Minn., where he remained 
during the winter of 1872-3. Mr. Peterson 



removed to Iowa the following spring, locat- 
ing in Howard County, where he lived for 
three or four years,. Then returning to 
Steele County, Minn., he located on section 
21, Blooming Prairie Township, where he 
still lives. In 1876 Mr. Peterson was married 
to Miss H. M. Shaw, a native of Denmark. 
They have five children : Thomas, Mary, 
Hans. Annie and Emma, all of whom are 
living. 

A. P. Smith was born in Wyoming County, 
N. Y., in September, 1842. His pai'ents were 
William and Sarah Hodges Smith. A. P. 
Smitii remained in New York until seventeen 
yesrs of age, at which early period of life he 
determined to come west. He first located in 
Hennepin County, Minn., and remained there 
until in March, 1861, at which time he moved 
to Pope County, Wis., remaining there two 
years, when he again started for Minnesota 
and located in Goodhue County, between 
Zumbrota and Pine Island. Here he remained 
until 1876, and then came to Steele County, 
Minn., purchasing the farm on which he has 
since lived, on section 12, Blooming Prairie 
Township. Mr. Smith is a practical and suc- 
cessful farmer. He was married in 1861 to 
Susan M. Dickinson, a native of Maine. 
The}' have six children : Adeline O., Elsie, 
Georgiana, Alice M., Wilmar L. and William 
P. Adeline O. married WiUiam Ferrington 
and resides in Blooming Prairie. Elsie E. 
married Charles Forbes, of Iowa. They are 
now living in Mitchell County, Iowa. The 
rest of the children are still at home with 
their parents. 

T. C. Smith came to Steele County, Minn., 
in 1877. He Avas born in Genesee County, 
N. Y., January 10, 1836. His father, Elisha 
Smith, came to Indiana when our subject 
was quite young. In 1869 he removed to 
Steele Count}', locating on section 12, Bloom- 
ing Prairie Township, where Mr. Smith Sr. 
remained until the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1884. Our subject, T. C. Smith, 
remained in Indiana until 1864, then came 
to Minneapolis, Minn., where he engaged in 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



399 



business. Mr. Smith remained there until 
1877, and then came to Steele County, locat- 
ing on section 11, Blooming Prairie Town- 
ship, where he still lives. Mr. Smith was 
married at Bloomington, Minn., in 1860, to 
Eliza M. Scone. They have five children : 
Ira J., Leroy, Charles Frederick, Henry J. 
and George. Ira J. was married and resides 
in St. Paul, where Leroy also lives. The 
other children live at home. Mr. Smith has 
a good farm consisting of 160 acres, 11 U of 
which are under cultivation. He is one of the 
leading citizens of the township. 

VAEIOUS MATTEES. 

The first birth in the township was that 
of Walter John Blythe, a son of Mr. and 
Mrs. John Blythe, which occurred on the 
22d of August, 1858. 

Another early birth was that of James, a 
son of Thomas Bray, who was born in 1 859. 

It is thought the first marriage was cele- 
brated in 1860, the parties being Ira Foster 
and Mrs. Scott, a widow lady. 

The first school in the township was 
taught in 1861 by Miss Hattie Layton, after- 
ward Mrs. Joseph Carey. 

OEGANIZ-VriON. 

The territory w 'lich now comprises Bloom- 
ing Prairie Townshij) was a portion of 
Dodge County, imtil Februar}', 1856, when 
it was separated from Dodge and annexed 
to Steele County. This was the case with the 
entire eastern tier of townships. On the 
6th of April, 1857, the board of county 
commissioners set off township 105, range 
19, and named it Oak Glen. It was attached 
to Aurora Township and was not organized 
as a township until March, 1867, when the 
county board authorized a separate organi- 
zation. • The name was changed to Blooming 
Prairie in January, 1873. The organization 
of the township was perfected on the 2d of 
April, 1867, when the first township meeting 
was held, and a full set of officers elected 
for Oak Glen Township, as follows : Super- 
visors, C. B. Pettie, P. Haley, and G. M. 



Topliff ; assessor, A. Colquhoun ; clerk, A. J. 
Snyder ; treasurer, A. J. Pettie ; justices of 
the peace, Giddon Stoddard and Aaron Pet- 
tie ; constables, Andrew Magoon and John 
Eastumn. 

The first officers for Blooming Prairie 
Township were elected on the 11th of 
March, 1873, and were as follows : Supervis- 
ors, W. Bowman, chairman, G. A. Peterson 
and F. Carey ; clerk, Lewis Ellington ; asses- 
sor, H. A. Gleason ; treasurer, C. Whitten ; 
justice of the peace, C. W. Gardner. 

The following is a list of the present (1887) 
officers of the township : Supervisors, H. A. 
Dunton, P. Nelson and N. Johnson ; clerk, 
A. J. Z wiener ; treasurer, Nels Nelson ; as- 
sessor, George Johnson ; justices of the 
peace, V. Yencl and R. C. Page. 

EAELY KECOLLECTIONS. 

By C. B. Pettie. 

Blooming Prairie Township was first 
named Oak Glen, and was known by that 
name from 1856 to 1868, when it was changed 
to Blooming Prairie, as that name was given 
to the village by the general superintendent 
of the railroad company. 

John Blythe was the first to settle in the 
township, soon followed hy Mr. Moran, Ira 
Foster, Thomas Bray, Levi Annis, William 
Greene and David Bagiey. They remained 
some three years, wlien another colony came 
along in which was Joseph Branning, C B. 
Pettie, A. J. Pettie, D. T. Pettie and C. E. 
Hancock, all of whom settled on section 24. 

In 186 1 -2 there came quite a number of set- 
tlers from Wisconsin, including R. T. Carey, 
J. C. Carey, James Carey, George M. Topliff, 
Andrew Meehan, Patrick Fallon, Michael 
Fallon, John Anderson and Thomas Feeney, 
and all took claims and went to farming. 

The first reaper used in the south part of 
Steele County was purchased by Joseph 
Branning, who drew his wheat to AVinona, 
sold it at forty-five cents per bushel, and paid 
some 1300 for his reaper — a " McCormick 
hand-rake." The grain was all cut with 



400 



HISTORY OF STEELE COITNTT. 



oxen ; would change teams about every two 
rounds in an ordinary field, the chain being 
dro.pped and another team put on in about 
the twinkle of an eye. I remember one day 
we cut twenty acres in the German settlement 
in Aurora, then moved four miles, and started 
in to cut a field for William Johnson after 
dark. About ten o'clock we struck a stump, 
broke a guard and had to leave the field till 
daylight. While in the German settlement 
the reaper was followed by about twenty 
binders. Most of them would twist the 
band like a hay rope, put the rope on 
the ground, take up the gavel, place it on 
the band, then tie it very firmly. Among 
the binders was a Gei'man girl of about 
sixteen or seventeen years. I took the 
liberty to leave the reaper a moment 
to show the girl how Yankees made the 
band and bound the bundle. She got the 
knack very quick, and in a short time was 
one of the fastest binders in the field. When 
cutting on the prairie near where the village 
of Blooming Prairie now stands, we had one 
lively day. Commenced cutting for William 
Thorburn in the morning, and, as we had to 
change teams often, Mr. Thorburn, or 
" Billy," as he was called, said he would put 
his team on a while. He took the driver's 
seat, whip in hand and started. As soon 
as the reels began to play, the oxen began 
to go ; and as they began to go fast, the 
oxen tried to go faster and left a cloud of 
dust behind them ; D. T. Pettie raking ofl' 
grain with a vengeance. After going about 
eighty rods " Dave " thought he had grain 
enough on the platform, so he threw the 
machine out of gear. That brought on a 
heavy side-draft, which threw the cattle in 
the grain and left a large circle of down- 
grain uncut. Before noon the steers thought 
they had rather stand still than go. In the 
afternoon we were cutting for William 
Greene, where the cemetery now is. Mr. 
Greene, "Little Billy," as he was called, 
had "imbibed" quite freely. Levi Annis 
came with his oxen to put on the reaper 



when needed. " Little Billy " had some old 
grudge against Annis. He wouldn't have 
Annis on his farm, nor his oxen. Mr. 
Annis insisted that he was hired b}^ Mr. 
Branning to help run the harvester, and he 
was going to stay. Words brought blows, 
and blows brought bloody noses, before Mr. 
Branning could reach the field to quell the 
row. 

About the first of October, 1856, a terrific 
prairie fire came sweeping over the country 
from the southwest, and burnt over several 
counties. Among the sufferers was a familj' 
by the name of Lake. Report soon reached 
our settlement that Nr. Lake and son were 
badly burned and needed help. Stephen 
Sargent, one of the first settlers of Aurora, 
volunteered to take his oxen and carry all 
that would go to complete Mr. Lake's house 
which was in course of erection. I think 
Charles Adsit, G. W. Grimshaw, John Per- 
ham, John Ball and several others were in 
the party. The distance was ten or twelve 
miles, but we arrived quite early and found 
otiier neighbors there; so we made quite 
an improvement to his home. Mr. Lake's 
place was in the eastern part of Westfield, 
Dodge County. During the fire he and his 
son were out on the prairie with their oxen 
and wagon. The fire came rushing on with 
a tremendous roar ; overtook them ; the boy 
fell by suffocation into the flames, and the 
father springing to his rescue, both were ter- 
ribly burned. By the kindness of C. Dicker- 
son, who was keeping the " Bracket Station," 
or stage house, at Oak Glen, we were fur- 
nished with a basket of dinner. When we 
returned to the station in the evening word 
came out for all to stop for supper. The 
boys jumped out thick and fast; Mr. Sar- 
gent sat quiet for a few moments, then 
started up his team, and as he did so he 
turned to me and said : " Do you know 
wh}' I didn't stop for supper?" "Why," 
says I, "I suppose you wasn't hungry." 
" Hungry ! I am hungry enough to eat a raw 
dog, but they didn't notice my oxen." I 



HISTOET OF STEELE COUNTY. 



401 



saved a four-mile walk by remaining with 
the wagon. 

The first log houseerected in thetownsiiip 
of Blooming Prairie was b\' John Blytlie. 

The first fi'ame building was ]]racket's 
Station, the lumber being hauled from St. 
Paul. 

The first frame dwelling house was C. B. 
Pettie's. 

The first enlistment from Blooming Prairie 
was that of David T. Pettie, in Comjiany F, 
Third Minnesota Infantry. 

The first town meeting of Aurora was 
held in the spring of 1857, at the house of 
A. B. Clark. At that early day there was 
considerable strife for the town offices, es- 
pecially for that of supervisor, as everybody 
wanted a road, to get the travel to pass their 
door. I was sent out quite late in the daj\ 
to gather up a load of Germans that were 
living in the northeast part of the town. 
I started in post haste almost without a 
track. I could not speak a word of German, 
and they could hardly speak a word of 
English; but by signs and motions I gathered 
up nearly a wagon-box full. I stood up and 
drove while they sat in the bottom, and of 
all thumping a set of men ever got, fell to 
that lot of men ; for I go over grub-land, 
across marshes and through timber at a 
rapid rate. But I " fetched " in and reached 
the polls three minutes before closing time. 
How they voted I never knew, and I don't 
believe they ever did, for there was hauling 
and pulling, grabbing and talking, as they 
were hurried to the ballot-box, with a ticket 
in each hand. 

The next schoolhouse was located on sec- 
tion 25. It was 10x12 — 5^ feet high, with a 
sod roof. Here the first school was held in 
the township. Miss Hattie Leighton, now 
Mrs. J. C. Carey, teacher. This was in the 
summer of 1862. 

This house was used for meetings, Sab- 
bath-schools and the like, until 1866, when 
the settlement had increased and they called 
for a larger house. Then came the strife for 



another location. This time it was pulled to 
the west, and planted on the northwest 
quarter of section 26— land owned b}' An- 
drew Meehan. This time they built a larger 
log house, size 16x20 feet,with board roof. The 
town was divided into two school districts, 
running north and south, known as the Mc- 
Daniel district and the Prairie district. 
This house, being so large, was used for 
quarterly meetings, elections, political meet- 
ings and almost all other kinds of meetings. 
The villafi-e of Blooming- Prairie was laid out 
in 1868, and in 1869 was too proud to 
look toward a log schoolhouse, but built a 
substantial frame house, which stood on the 
ground now occupied by the Episcopal 
Church. 

The village grew, and the scholars became 
more numerous. Then they called for the 
present brick structure, which is an ornament 
and an honor to any town. Thus we see 
the old log house giving way for something 
better. 

We also see the old "Pioneer" giving 
way for the rising generation, and may they 
go on until they are as far in the advance as 
the brick and stone structures are ahead of 
the "old sod roofed school-house" that once 
decked the prairie of Blooming. 



The ^il 



Pr 



lage of ©loonnqg prairie. 

During the year 1867 the Minnesota & 
Cedar Valle}' Kailway was built south from 
Owatonna, to which place it had been com- 
pleted during the preceding year. A station 
was located on section 25 of this township, 
and it was given the name of Blooming 
Prairie. A village was also platted and busi- 
ness development commenced immediately. 

The first store was started by Capt. A. C. 
Ilawley and Mr. Wadworth on the ground 
now occupied by Brainerd's lumber-yard. 
A short time later the first warehouse was 
built and a portion of it was partitioned off, 
and Capt. Hawley, then being the sole pro- 
prietor, moved his stock of general merchan- 



402 



HISTOET OF STEELE COUNTY. 



dise into this. C. "W". Gardner soon pur- 
chased the business, and L. Ellington entered 
into his employ as a clerk. Mr. Gardner 
erected a store building which now forms a 
part of the Ferrington House. The business 
soon changed hands again and Octave Gan- 
iefj became proprietor, and Mr. Gardner 
moved onto the farm now owned by R. J. 
Fuller. Ml'. Ganiefy conducted the business 
for six or seven years, when the stock was 
closed out. 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS MEN. 

Shortly after Capt. Hawley had started 
his store, E. B. Sprout erected a store build- 
ing and opened a stock of general merchan- 
dise. He sold to J. N. Dunton & Sons. 
The original building was afterward sold to 
A. Mayo and finally burned. J. N. Dunton 
died while in business, and the sons contin- 
ued it for a number of yeai's, when the stock 
was closed out. During this time they had 
erected a building facing on Fourth street. 

L. Ellington, as stated, had been clerking 
at different times for Capt. Hawle\', C. W. 
Gardner and Octave Ganiefy. In about the 
year 1870 he, in company with F. C. Brown 
(afterward his brother-in-law), opened a gen- 
eral merchandise store in T. Feeney's build- 
ing. They at once erected a building (in 
which the ])ostofBce is now located) and soon 
moved into it. The firm remained thus for 
about one year when F. C. Brown sold his 
interest to Mr. Peterson, and the firm of 
Ellington & Peterson continued the business 
for about two years, when Mr. Peterson 
became sole j^roprietor. A few years later 
J. A. McConnell bought the stock, and later 
John Lennon became interested, and the 
business is still prospering under his man- 
agement — although the firm is now A. G. 
Lennon & Co. 

In 1871, T. Feene}' established a general 
merchandise store in the building which he 
now occupies as a hardware store. He con- 
tinued in the general merchandise trade for 
about seven years, when he sold to Veb- 



lin & Jensen. They remained in the same 
building for about one year, and then re- 
moved to the Dunton building on the oppo- 
site side of Fourth street. About two years 
later the}^ purchased stock and building of 
Wilson & Lucklon, consolidated the stocks 
and moved into the latter building. In the 
meantime, the firm had become Veblin & 
Co. (O. A. Yeblin, N. Evans and G. Jen- 
sen). The last named member has since 
sold his interest, and Veblin & Evans still 
conduct the business. 

The next general merchandise store was 
started by A. Mayo in a building which he 
had purchased of J. N. Dunton. The build- 
ing had been used for various purposes and 
finally he ppened a stock of clothing, boots, 
shoes and gents' furnishing goods. He con- 
tinued the business for several years and 
finally closed out the stock. 

P. N. Nelson & Bro. in 1879 started a gen- 
eral store in a building opposite the Western 
Hotel. This stock was a bankrupt one 
which they had purchased of M. Guthrie. 
Originally it had belonged to the Paulson 
Brothers, who had been in trade here for a 
short time. Nelson Brothers remained in 
the building mentioned for about one year, 
then moved into T. Feeney's building. 
About a year later the firm was dissolved, 
P. N. Nelson buying his brothei*'s interest, 
and a few years later he removed the stock 
to Lake Benton, Minn. 

The next general merchandise store was 
started in 1880 by A. B. Clark, one of the 
oldest settlers in the southeastern part of 
the county. Ole Ecker conducted the busi- 
ness for him, and Mr. Clark continued as 
proprietor until 1884, when the business was 
purchased by Mr. Ecker. About one j'ear 
later the building was burned to the ground. 
The stock was saved and was purchased by 
M. Guthrie, who consolidated it with a stock 
which he was then keeping, and he still con- 
tinues in the trade. 

In 1882 L. E. Hatch opened a general 
store in the building which he now occupies. 



HISTORY OF STEELE COCNTY. 



403 



These changes in the history of this line 
of trade — general merchandise — leaves the 
present (1887) dealers as follows : Lennon 
& Co., Veblin & Evans, M. Guthrie, G. Jen- 
sen and L. E. Hatch. 

J. G. Lennon was born in Minneapolis, 
Minn., September 2, 1857. Ilis younger 
days were spent in scliool. At tlie age of six 
he went with his parents to Lansmg, Mower 
County, Minn., thence in 1865 to Dodge 
County, Minn., where the\' were engaged 
in farming. In 1871 he moved to Blooming 
Prairie, and during the three following years 
attended school in Owatonna, Minn. In 
1876 he engaged in the furniture business 
with Mr. Marshall, under the firm name of 
Marshall & Lennon. continuing in this busi- 
ness about thi-ee years. In 1882 he engaged 
in his present business, tJiat of general mer- 
chandising, in which he has prospered. On 
December 2(5, 1877, Mr. Lennon was married 
to Amy Giddings. Their only living child 
is Bertie, born February 26, 1884. In poli- 
tics Mr. Lennon is a stanch Republican. 

George Jensen was born in Norway and 
came to Steele County, Minn., in 1872. After 
coming here he taught a Norwegian school 
for one year, and, in 1873, entered the store 
of G. A. Peterson of Blooming Prairie, as 
clerk. He remained with Mr. Peterson as 
clerk until he sold out to J. A. McConnell. 
Mr. Jensen was then employed in Mr. Mc- 
Connell's store for- some time. After his 
engagement with Mr. McConnell terminated, 
Mr. Jensen, in company with O. A. Veblen, 
bought out the stock of T. Feeney, and has 
continued the business up to this time. In 
1881 Mr. Jensen was married to Carrie A. 
Peterson, who was born in Wisconsin. They 
have one child, Gena. 

M. Guthrie, postmaster and a ))rominent 
business man, is a native of Ireland, where 
he was born in 18-18. He came to America 
in 1867, being then about nineteen j^ears old. 
His first home was in Dubuque, Iowa, where 
he lived until September, 1875, at wdiich time 
he came to Blooming Prairie and took 



charge of the elevator. The next year he 
purchased a half interest in the elevator, and 
in 1877 he handled about 200,000 bushels of 
wheat, paying an average price of ninety- 
five cents per bushel. He continued in this 
business until the present season, having 
now rented his elevator for a time. In the 
year 1883 he went into the general mer- 
chandise business, and for the past three or 
four years he has engaged in the hay trade, 
pressing and shipping to northern markets. 
His shipments have been very heavy. In 
the last year he has also handled about 
$20,000 worth of live stock, shipped chiefly 
to eastern markets. In 1878 he became pro- 
prietor of the Western Hotel, which he still 
conducts, also running a livery stable in con- 
nection with the hotel. All these different 
branches of business Mr. Guthrie has con- 
ducted with ability and success. In 1882 he 
was nominated by the Democratic party as 
a candidate for representative to the State 
LeoMslature, but was defeated bv about 100 
votes. Lie was again nominated in 1886, 
but was again beaten by the Republican can- 
didate. He was appointed postmaster on 
May 1, 1886. Mr. Guthrie has always taken 
an active interest in political matters, and is 
at this time president of the village board. 
He was married October 24, 1883, to 
Amelia Volhardt. They have two children : 
Florence K., being three years old, and Lulu, 
being eighteen months old. Mr. Guthrie 
own five good farms, comprising 560 acres, 
only eighty acres of which, however, lie in 
Steele County. 

The first drug store in Blooming Prairie 
was started by Dr. Hatch in the spring of 
1871, in the same room in which L. Ellington 
was carrying on his general merchandising. 
The stock of drugs changed hands a number 
of times after that, and was finally moved 
away. 

The second drug store here was established 
in 1874, by C. W. Williams and Dr. Johnson, 
in a building belonging to Mr. Morton which 
had been erected for a furniture store. They 



404 



HTSTORT OF STEELE OOITNTT. 



moved the buildinff to near Feenev's hard- 
ware store, where the business was conducted 
by this tirm for several yeai"s. Then Mr. Will- 
iams bought his partner's interest and several 
years later moved the stock across the street 
into one of the Dunton buildings. Finally 
he sold to C. Peterson, and the stock was 
moved to Owatonna. 

Olson it Johnson started the next drug 
store in a building now owned by Peterson 
«fe Hogan. The same firm is still in business, 
but has moved the stock into a building on 
the south side of Fourth street, which they 
erected. 

Anton Olson is a native of Xorway, where 
he was born in 1853. His parents were Ole 
and Annie Olson. Anton came to America 
when eighteen years of age, arriving at Owa- 
tonna, Minn., in ISTl. Here he remained 
about one year, when he went to Rochester. 
Minn., where he was engaged in a drug 
store, remaining about five veal's. In 1S77 
he came to Blooming Prairie, and for some 
two yeare was with Charles Williams in a 
drug store, and. in January, ISSO. in com- 
pany with Dr. Johnson, he put in a stock of 
drugs, and has since devoted his time to that 
business. 

The first hardware store in the village was 
started m 1S73 by Dunton <S: Curtis, in a 
building belonging to Mr. Dunton. About 
a year later they sold to Mr. Giddings, who 
in turn made a sale to Ed. Morton. Mr. 
Morton is still in trade, having erected the 
building which he now occupies. 

The second hai-dware store was established 
by Mr. Douglas, in 1S76. in the restaurant 
building opposite the Western Hotel. About 
two years later he sold to Ira Jones, who 
remained in the same building somethinj; 
less than a year, when he removed the stock 
to Austin. 

In March. ISSl. T. Feeney established a 
hardware store in a building now occupied 
as a restaurant, opposite the Western Hotel. 
He remainetl there for about one year, when 
he removed to his present quarters. 



These changes in the hardware trade have 
brought the present business — in 1SS7 — 
into the hands of Ed. Morton and T. Feeney. 

Edward Morton was born in England in 
1S49. He came to this country with his par- 
ents. George and Elisabeth (Sharpies) Mor- 
ton, when he was three months old. The 
family first settled in Xew York City, re- 
mained there about seven years, then came 
west and settled at St. Charles, Minn., which 
place they made their permanent home. 
The subject of this sketch remained at home 
with his parents until he was fifteen years 
old. Later he learned the tinner trade, and 
in February, 1873, settled in Blooming Prai- 
rie, starting the hardware business, which he 
has carried on ever since. In IS 74 he added 
to his business a full line of farm machinery, 
and in 1SS5 he became an equal partner 
with A. G. Lennon in genei-al merchandis- 
ing. Mr. Morton is a successful business 
man and conducts with ability these lines of 
business. He has always taken an active 
part in village and town interests : was 
elected president of the viUage board, being 
the second to hold that office. He held this ■ 
]iosition for six successive terms, then 
dropped out for two years, after which he 
was again elected. Mr. Morton was mar- 
' ried. August 20. 1873. to Mabel Johnson, a 
native of St. Charles, Minn. By this union 
they have three children, aU living : Mabel, 
aged twelve : Edna, aged ten, and George, 
aged three. 

Thomas Feeney is a native of Ireland, 
and born in Roscommon County. November 
22, 1832. He came to America when he 
was eighteen years of age. His parents were 
John and Mary (Conlan) Feeney. who re- 
mained in the old country. Wlien Thomas 
Feeney came to America he first settled in 
New Jersey, where he lived until 1856. when 
he started for the west and located in Janes- 
ville. Wis. Here he remained until 1863, at 
which time he again moved westward, ar- 
riving in Steele County. Minn.. September 
28, 1863. Here he took up land on section 



HISTORY OP STEELE COtTNTY. 



405 



22, Blooming Prairie (then Oak Glen) Town- 
ship, and engaged in farming. He remained 
on his farm about eight years, at which time 
he moved into the village of Blooming 
Prairie and opened a stock of general mer- 
chandise, remaining in that business for 
seven years, when he closed out his stock. 
In 1881 he opened a hardware store, in which 
business he lias been engaged ever since. 
While Mr. Feeney was in Janesville, Wis., 
he was married to ]\laria Fallon, in 18fi2. 
By this marriage there were six children, 
four of wliom are now living: William E., 
born February 25, 1866 ; Eliza J., born July 
12, 1867 , Isabel M., born December 25, 1877, 
and Lena E., born April 13, 1879. These 
four children are at this date all living at 
home. Mrs. Feeney, the wife and mother, 
is deceased. 

C. Hartley opened the tirst blacksmith 
shop in the village, in 1867. Messrs. Wheeler, 
Sprout and others have at different times 
run shops here. The present blacksmiths 
are Thomas Morton, C. Saxton and J. Soren- 
son. 

HOTELS. 

The first hotel in Blooming Prairie was 
the Union Hotel, erected by C. Volhardt in 
1867. The building is now owned by An- 
di-ew Pettie, and is occupied by George 
Camp's hai-ness shop. The hotel changed 
hands a number of times. Mi'. Yoliiardt 
opened it to the traveling public and anujng 
others who afterward occupied the position 
of "mine host" were Messrs. Dunton, Hart- 
ley and A. Pettie. 

The second hotel opened was the Western 
House. It was built by C. Hartley at about 
the same time as the Union hotel. Several 
additions were made. Hartley sold to Mr. 
Dutcher, he to Mr. Yolhardt, and then Frank 
Carey became proprietor. J[. Guthrie next 
became proprietor and is the i)resent one, 
although it has been rented at various times. 

The Ferrington Hotel was built bv Mr. 
l<'errin'>ton in 1SS2. He ran it for about one 
year when he sold to J. A. McConnell, the 



present owner. He ran it for some time, and 
since then it was at diflferent times rented 
to J. Laird, then A. J. Pettie, then Mrs. 
O'Toole and Daniel Keefe. The last named 
is the present landlord. 

rOSTOFFICE. 

A postottice was established liere in 1868, 
under the name of Blooming Prairie, with 
C. W. Gardner as the first postmaster. He 
iield the office for two years, when lie was 
succeedetl by L. Ellington. He continued 
in the office until July, 1876, when A. 
Mayo was appointed. Mr. !Mayo held the 
office for about ten years, when in May, 
1886, M. Guthrie received the appointment 
and is the present incumbent. 

Asaph Mayo, deputy jiostmaster, and for 
ten years jiostmaster, of Blooming Pi-airie, 
was born in I\Iassaciiusetts, June 7, 1825. 
His parents, xVsaph and Policy (Smith) Mayo, 
were natives of the same State. Asa])h, the 
subject of this sketch, went to sea when he 
was thirteen years of age, and was a seaman 
until twenty-one. He then learned the lock- 
smitli's trade, which he followed for four- 
teen years. Later he came west, and in 
1802 took up government land in Udolpho, 
Mower County, Minn. In July, lS6-i, he 
enlisted in Company A, Second Minnesota 
Infantry, under Col. Bishop, and served un- 
til the close of the war, being honorably dis- 
charged at Fort Siielling in the fall of 1865. 
Mr. Mayo remained in Mower County for 
about twelve years and then came to Bloom- 
ing Prairie. After settling here, for the 
first two years he carried the United States 
mail twice per week from Blooming Prairie 
to Waltham, he being the first contractor 
under the Star Koute system. On the 1st of 
June, 1876, he was appointed postmaster at 
Blooming Pi'airie, whicii office he held until 
May 1, 1886, and since then he has contin- 
ued in charge of the office as assistant po.st- 
master. While in Boston Mr. IVIayo was 
married, May 2, 1850, to Kachel C. Crosby. 
They had seven children, only two of whom 
are now living : A. 11., who now resides in 



406 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



St. Paul, and Rachel A., now living in Min- 
neapolis. The mother, Mrs. Mayo, died in 

1866, and later Mr. Mayo married his second 
wife, Miss Margaret Pettie, of Steele County, 
Minn. They have three children : Laura E., 
INIary E. and Jennie, all of whom are at 
home. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first schoolhouse was erected in the 
village in 186S, at a cost of $700. It was a 
one-story building, which stood where the 
Episcopal Church now stands. J. K. Buck- 
lin taut!-ht the lirst school in this building. 
This building was used for about Hve years, 
when it was sold to G. E. Skinner. It is 
now occupied as a meat market. The school 
building which is now in use, was erected in 
1873, and cost $:i,000. It is a neat two story 
building. Mr. Fate was the first teacher in 
this building. The present teachers engaged 
for the winter of 1887-8 are B. F. McMillan, 
principal, and Miss Lizzie Bray, primary. 

KELIGIOUS. 

Religious services were held here as early 
as 1867, shortly after the site of the village 
was located. In 1887 there were four or- 
ganizations here: Catholic, Episcopal, 
Lutheran and Methodist Episcopal. 

A Catholic society was organized here in 

1867. For some time services were held in 
the building now occupied by Thomas Feeney 
as a hai'dware store; but in 1868 a church 
was erected at a cost of $500. This building 
was used for about ten 3'ears, when the j)res- 
ent edifice was erected at a cost of $4,000. 
Father Kellar. from Faribault, came here to 
hold services at an eai'ly day; then Father 
Priliyl, (if Owatonna, luul chai'ge of the par- 
ish for about live years. Father Rawley 
fi'om Owatonna, also served for some time. 
Father Murray, the present pastor, is really 
the first resident priest. 

Rev. I). L. Miu'ray is a native of Provi- 
dence, R. I. His jmrents were Laurence 
and Mary (Kcnneaily) IVfurray. D. L. Mur- 
ray' remained in Rhode Island until he was 



eighteen vears of age. lie then went to 
St. Lawrence College at Montreal, Canada, 
where he remained si.x years receiving an 
education. He then entered the Grand 
Seminary of Montreal, whei-e he pursued his 
theological course for three and a half years. 
Having completed his studies in the college 
and seminary he came to St. Paul, Minn., 
where, on September 25, 1882, he was 
ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Ire- 
land. After his ordination he came to 
Blooming Prairie, where he has since 
remained. Rev. D. L. Murray is highly 
esteemed by all who know him, for his Chris- 
tian character and gentleraanly deportment. 
He has charge of the church here and also 
of the one at Newry, Freeborn County, 
Minn. 

The first Lutheran services were held here 
by Rev. C. L. Clausen, of St. Ansgar, Iowa, 
who organized the society and remained 
until 1871. He was succeeded by Rev. P. G. 
Ostby, of Austin, who remained until 1878. 
At that time Rev. Mr. Clausen again took 
charge, making his home in Blooming Prai- 
rie. He remained one year when, his health 
failing, Rev. S. Strand became his assistant 
and it continued in this shape until July 
1885, when Mr. Clausen resigned and Rev. 
S. Strand has since that time filled the pul- 
])it. He has charge of three congregations. 
The present Lutheran Church edifice in 
Blooming Prairie was erected in 1876 at a 
cost of $3,500. 

The Methodist Episcopal society was 
organized here a number of years ago, and a 
church building was purchased of the Luth- 
eran denomination, for about $500, which 
was refitted for their own use. The present 
(August, 1887) pastor is Rev. AV. S. Chase. 

The Episcopal Church was organized here 
early in the "seventies" by Rev. G. C. Tan- 
ner, of Owatonna. Shortly afterward the 
society erected the church edifice which they 
still use, at a cost of about $1,400. Services 
have always been held by i)astors from 
abroad. 



filSTOET OF STEELE COUNTY. 



407 



OTHER BUSINESS MEN. 

Thomas Morton was boi-n in England in 
1840. When he was ten years of age he 
came to America with his parents, George 
and Ehsabetli (Sharpies) Morton. He re- 
mained with his parents until he was twenty- 
two years of age, at which time he enlisted 
in Company K, Ninth Minnesota, under Col. 
Wilkins. He served in the war three years, 
and was in the battles of Guntown, Tupelo, 
Spanish Fort, ISTasliville and some other en- 
gagements. He was discharged at Fort 
Snelling in 1865. He came to Blooming 
Prairie in 1870, and for sometime worked at 
the blacksmith trade for Edward Wheeler, 
but in 1871 he went into the same business 
for himself in a shop that stood on the site 
now occupied b^' the dwelling-house of J. 
Brainerd. Some time afterward he built 
his present shop, and has devoted himself to 
his trade ever since he settled in the village. 
In 1873 Mr. Morton was married to Miss 
Adelia Johnson, a native of Wisconsin. 
This union was blessed with two children : 
Byron, aged eleven, and Anna, aged four. 

Another prominent and worth}^ business 
enterprise of Blooming Prairie is the cream- 
ery, of which H. L. Zwiener is manager. Mr. 
Zwiener was born in Wisconsin, March 20, 
1855. He remained there with his parents 
until September, 1876. His parents, Frank 
and Tracy (Bartsch) Zwiener, were natives 
of Germany. They came to America in 
1854, locating in Milwaukee, AVis., for a short 
time, and afterward I'emoved to Jefferson 
County, Wis., where they resided until 1876, 
when they came to Steele County, Minn., 
and purchased a farm in Blooming Prairie 
Township. When H. L., the subject of this 
sketch, first came to this county he bought 
a farm on section 14, where he remained un- 
til he came to the village of Blooming- 
Prairie to take charge of the creameiy. He 
still owns and manages his farm. He has 
always shown a laudable interest in town 
and county matters, and has held several 
positions of responsibility. He has been 



chairman of the town board of supervisors 
for four successive years, and was elected 
county commissioner in 188('), for the full 
term. Mr. Zwiener was married in 1878 to 
Nancy McCrady, who was born in Wiscon- 
sin. They have had four children: Jessie 
F., aged seven ; Wallace P., aged five ; Al- 
mond H., aged three, and Eugene P., who 
died June 5, 1887, and was buried in Bloom- 
ing Prairie cemetery. 

The first phvsician to locate at Bloomine' 
Prairie Village was Dr. Sauisbury, who 
came here from Owatonna in 1867, and re- 
mained for about two years. Among others, 
who at different times have been engaged in 
practice here, but are now gone, are Drs. 
Hatch, Goudy, Hadle}' and Way. At the 
present writing (1887) the medical profession 
is represented here by Dr. Johnson and Dr. 
Cooley. 

Dr. J. P. Johnson came oi-iginally from 
Windham County, Conn., where he was born 
February 22, 1839. His })arents were Poyal 
and Sarah (Winchester) Johnson. At the 
age of sixteen, he began learning the trade of 
carpenter and joiner, at which he spent three 
years. When tlie war broke out he responded 
to the first call for troops, enlisting in April, 
1861, for three months. He reenlisted for 
three years, but the quota being full he was 
discharged. He then came west and located 
in St. Charles, Minn. Hei-e he remained 
two years and then enlisted in Company A, 
Second Minnesota Cavalry, under Capt. J. K. 
Jones, serving till the war closed, when he 
again returned to St.- Charles. He embarked 
in the di'Ug business, where he remained 
about eight years, at the same time reading 
medicine. From St. Charles he went to 
Dover Center, where he continued to carry 
on the drug business. Later he attended the 
Rush Medical College, at Chicago, 111., and 
graduated m 1876. From Dover Center he re- 
moved and settled in Blooming Prairie, about 
1874, where he has since resided, engaged in 
the practice of his jn'oression. In February, 
1872, Dr. Johnson was mai'ried to Anna R. 



408 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



Hawkins. By this marriage there were two 
children, only one of whom is now living, 
Charles B., aged thirteen. 

The first harness shop here was started by 
George Camp, in 187-i. lie is still in busi- 
ness, although at one time his shop was run 
by George Gage for a short period. 

Capt. A. C. Hawley and Mr. Ford were 
the first to buy grain here, in 1867. The 
present grain buyers are M. H. Hitchcock 
and J. A. Beattj'. Mr. Hitchcock buys for 
Pratt & Co. This firm have a large eleva- 
tor, erected in 1877, which has a capacity of 
about 15,000 bushels. J. A. Beatty buys for 
Hunting & Co., who also have a large 
elevator here. This was erected in 1875, and 
has a capacity of some 25,000 bushels. 

In addition to the various lines of trade 
represented here, already referred to, there 
are the following : J. C. Brainerd & Co. 
have for a number of \'ears cari'ied on a lum- 
ber, agricultural im]ilement and light bank- 
ing business ; Mr. Keller is proprietor of a 
restaurant ; Mr. IngersoU is a practicing 
attorney ; L. E. Hatch has a livery stable; 
and Geo. H. Johnson a meat market. 

Michael Dugan, another prominent resi- 
dent of the village, is a native of the State 
of New York. He was born Sejitember 16, 
1859. His parents, Dennis and Mary (R3'an) 
Dugan, came to Steele County, Minn., in 
1867, making Owatonna their home for a 
few years ; then they removed to their farm 
in Blooming Prairie Township, where they 
remained six or eight years, at the end of 
which time they again settled in Owatonna, 
where Mr. Dugan died October 15, 1886. 
Mrs. Mary Dugan still resides in Owatonna. 
Michael Dugan, the subject of this sketch, 
commenced life for himself when only thir- 
teen years of age, going first with a survey- 
ing party to Devil's Lake, and the following 
year he went west on the Winona & St. 
Peter Railroad. At that time there was no 
settlement of whites west of the site where 
Sleepy Eye now stands. He remained out 
there about two j^ears, then worked on the 



railroad for eight years, and in October, 
1883, he settled in Blooming Prairie, where 
he has since lived. He was elected marshal 
of the village in the spring of 1884, and 
the following fall he was a]i]iointed deputy 
sheriif, holding both these positions smcehis 
first appointment. On the 23d of Novem- 
ijer, 1886, Mr. Dugan was married to Mary 
Cummings, a native of Iowa. 

William Trotman, liquor dealer, was born 
in England, December 11, 1852. At the age 
of eighteen he came to New York City and 
for one year was in the employ of Kelly, 
once the Democratic leader of that city. 
After remaining in New York, a year he 
came farther west, and for some time was 
engaged upon the lakes, sailing out of 
Buffalo. After this he came to Detroit, 
Mich., where he made his home for three 
years. In 1877 he came to Blooming Prai- 
rie, Steele County, Minn. Here he has since 
resided, having been engaged in the liquor 
business. In 188-4 Mr. Trotman was mar- 
ried to Jane Farrell. By this marriage they 
have two children. 

M. J. Keenan, liquor dealer, was born in 
Victoria County, Canada, in 1851, where he 
was brought up on a farm till the age of 
eighteen. His parents, Bernard and Anna 
(Byron) Keenan, came from Canada to Iowa 
in 1868, purchasing a farm in Winneshiek 
County, where they remained until their 
death. M. J. Keenan having come with his 
parents to Iowa, remained there until 1882, 
at which time he came and located in the 
village of Blooming Prairie, Steele County, 
Minn. Here he has since resided, being en- 
gaged in the liquor business and also run- 
ning a billiard hall. Mr. Keenan, in connec- 
tion with his liquor business, runs a farm of 
eighty acres within the corporate limits of 
the village. He was married, October 4, 
1874, to Ella T. Cummings, who is a native 
ol' Iowa. By this union thei-e were nine 
children, .five of whom are now living: 
Lauretta, aged ten years; Joseph A., aged 
eight ; Eugene, whose age is si.x ; Anna J. 







^ (deceased^ 



HISTORY OF STEELE COUNTY. 



411 



aged four years, antl Rose F., aged one year. 
There is also an organization of a Blue 
Lodge of the Masonic order here — Prairie 
Lodge, No. 123, Avhich was organized several 
years ago. The present officers of the lodge, 



elected in December, ISSO, are as follows : 
J. C. Brainerd, W. M. ; George Reynolds, 
S. W. ; A. Olson, J. W. ; N. Evans, treas- 
urer ; T. M. Hitchcock, secretary ; W. S. 
Chase, chaplain ; T. S. Morton and L. E. 
Hatch, stewards, and C. "W. Treat, tyler. 




34 




'WASECA i> COUNTY* 




^ 



^ =^ • ^ (^ 



fl 



CHAPTER I. 




INTKODUCTION. 



flE stml3' of the annals of the past 
has at all times and in all climes 
claimed a large share of the at- 
tention of the more intelligent 
of men. The sage and ripe 
scholar, poring over some vast 
and ponderous tome, dusty with 
age, and in some almost forgot- 
ten tongue ; the new beginner 
Avith his eyes skimming his short 
and comprehensive compilation, 
suited to his early yeai's, — each draw much 
pleasure in its perusal. Men eminen t in the 
domain of letters have, however, divided this 
history of the past into several classes, the 
most prominent of which ai'e : first, that 
which treats only of events, and second, of 
that which treats of men — the living actors 
in the world's great drama. The first of 
these is but the dry bones of a fossil age, 
reft of all life, and is, at best, but a synopsis 
of the more important actions that have 
crowded upon the stage of the past a list of 
kings, rulers, dynasties and their acts, in 
which their ])eople play but a secondary 
part. The second treats of the people — of 
men in their broad humanity, and is an ever 
living reality, clothed in the flesh ; and the 
story of their deeds has in its relation all 
the fascination of romance, enchaining the 
I'eader to its pages until the volume is fin- 
ished and laid down with a sigh. This form 
of history, warm and palpitating, as it is, 
with the busy lives of men, who, like our- 
selves, have lived and moved upon the world's 
broad surface, is the model after which it 
has been the endeavor to compile these pages. 
No narrow attempt to paint with partisan 



pen the workings of any party or creed, but 
setting out in broad and comprehensive de- 
tail the action of tiiose brave men and heroic 
women who, in the early days of this coun- 
ty's existence, played so well " tlieir parts 
upon the mimic stage." Brave, hardy pio- 
neers, who, departing from the parent roof- 
tree, plunged into the great wilderness west 
of the Mississippi, there to carve out for 
themselves homes upon the prairies of Min- 
nesota. Heroic women, who. leaving the 
home and association of childhood, where 
surrounded with ease and comfort they had 
passed their youthful days, followed their 
husbands to this then wilderness, and cheei-ed 
their weary hours, sharing their joys and 
sorrows. Men and women who lived true 
lives while here on earth, and many of them 
departed, leaving " footprints in the sands of 
time" that cannot help but make the world 
brighter, richer and truer. 

The times move on apace, and these, the 
pioneers of Waseca County, are already pass- 
ing away to their reward beyond the " dark 
river," and it behooves the historian to 
hasten in his task that he may note down, 
from the lips of those who still remain, the 
account of the trials, the labors, the joys of 
those early days, to preserve within the 
pages of history their deeds, so that when 
they have all been called to the better land, 
the sure annals of their pioneer days may 
not be lost in oblivion. 

In casting a backward glance " adown the 
misty corridors of time," the thinking mind 
cannot but wonder at the comparatively few 
years that have elapsed, since these now 
fruitful fields and busv towns were but the 



«5 



416 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



waste and grassy desert, the roaming-ground 
of wild beast and wilder Indian. Where 
is now located the beautiful town or vil- 
lage, then was reared, perhaps, the lonely 
tepee of the savage ; where is now heard 
the hum of busy industr}' or the whir 
of machinery, then reechoed only to the 
howl of prowling wolf, the hoot of the night- 
seeking owl, or the horrid whoop of the 
fiendish savage. But the white man came, 
civilized man, and with the characteristic 
energ}' of the Caucasian race, made these 
waste places to give place to cultivation 
and refinement. The savage gave place to 
industry and thrift, and farms and villages 
began to dot the virgin surface of the 
country. 

But little more than thirty years have 
passed since first the tide of emigration 
flowed over the bounds of Waseca County, 
and one can hardly help but look round and 
contrast the difference between the then and 
now. The early pioneer, to reach this local- 
ity, was forced to make long journeys in his 
wagon or on horseback, over undulating- 
prairie, through swamp and slough, with no 
road to guide or make the way smooth. No 
bridges spanned the streams, and his only 
alternative was to make a long detour to 
find a ford, or swim the creek or river. Then 
the destination reached, the humble cabin 
was to be raised, often by the unaided efforts 
of his own hands, that he and his might be 
sheltered from the elements. He was cut 



off, to a certain extent, from mail communi- 
cation with the outside world ; and when he 
had by infinite toil succeeded in raising his 
little crop, he had no means of disposing of 
the surplus, except b_y hauling it to far dis- 
tant markets. But now neat frame cottages 
adorn the land, and the pioneer sits in his 
easy chair surrounded by every comfort and 
luxury that he knew in his old cherished 
home in the older States ; the iron horse 
snorts at his front door, and he can have his 
daily paper, yet damp from the press, and 
watch the current of events of but yester- 
day. 

Let us then pay honor to these pioneers of 
Waseca County, these adventurous forerun- 
ners of our present pros]3erity and civiliza- 
tion. The present and the future generations 
can hardly repay them for the trials, the 
sorrows, the strife against adverse elements 
and times of those early days. Let us then 
honor and love them as they should be 
honored and loved, as far above the common 
herd. 
When the statesman saves the nation, soldiers stand 

the burning test, 
Then the nation pays them gladly, with a medal at the 

breast. 
But the pioneer, with ax and plow, clears the way for 

coming race. 
Shall he then be forgotten, dying leave no lasting 

trace ? 
His reward ? Nor cross nor medal, but all others high 

above, 
They may wear more splendid symbols, these have 

gained a people's love. 



CHAPTER II. 




GEOGKAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 




ASECA COUNTY is in the south- 
ern portion of the great State of 
Minnesota, in the second tier of 
t'^^s^^s^ counties from the Iowa hne, and 
is the fifth one west from the 
Mississippi River, which there 
forms the eastern boundary of 
the State. It embraces all of 
congressional townships 105, 106. 107 and 
108 north, ranges 22, 23 and 24 west of the 
fifth principal meridian. It is intersected 
about its center by the forty-fourth paral- 
lel of noi'th latitude and is in about the 
ninety-third degree of longitude, west. It 
is bounded on the north by the counties of 
Rice and Le Sueur; on the east by Steele ; on 
the south by Freeborn and Faribault, and on 
the west by Blue Earth. It is in area about 
437 square miles, and contains 279,685 acres, 
of which 11,524 acres are covered with water. 
The Le Sueur Hiver, which has its course in 
the southeastern part of this and Steele and 
Freeborn counties, runs in a general north- 
westerly course through the county, and 
with its tributaries, the princi])al of which 
are the McDougal and Boot creeks, drain the 
central part of this subdivision of the State. 
The southwestern part sheds its waters into 
the Big and Little Cobb, and Bull run. The 
northwestern part is drained by the way of 
lake Elysian and its outlet. Iosco and Silver 
creeks are the principal water-courses in this 
part of the county. The northeastern por- 
tion, including northeastern Iosco, Blooming 
Grove and the north part of Woodville are 
in the basin of the Cannon River. 

Lake Elysian, the largest body of water in 
the county, is five miles long, and from one- 



third of a mile to a mile wide. It lies mainly 
within the township of Janesville, but its 
north end is crossed by the county line. 
Rice and Willis lakes lie west of Elysian 
in the same township. Lily, Reed's and 
Toner's lakes are in Iosco, Helena lake lying 
on the boundary of these two townships. 
Four small lakes, a quarter to a half mile in 
length, lie in Blooming Grove Township. 
Rice Lake, covering about a square mile, is 
crossed by the south line of Blooming Grove, 
its greater part being in Woodville, and 
close to its east side is Watkins Lake, half as 
large, lying mainly in section 3, Woodville. 
Four other lakes lie in this latter township. 
The first of these in the east is Goose Lake, 
about one and a half miles long from north- 
east to southwest, three miles east of Waseca ; 
Clear Lake is next, one and a half miles lono- 
and half as wide, about half a mile east of 
the county seat, while just south of it is 
Gaiter Lake, about a mile long and a quarter 
of a mile wide ; Loon Lake lies adjacent to 
the town plat of Waseca, on the west, with 
about the same area as Gaiter. Other note- 
worthy lakes in the county include lake Can- 
field, in the northeastern part of Otisco; 
Thompson Lake, in New Richland ; Sdver 
Lake in Wilton : Wheeler, in Vivian ; one in 
Freedom ; Mud Lake in Alton, and Buffalo 
Lake, the largest in the county excejit Ely- 
sian, near the center' of Alton. The last 
named is about two miles long, covering an 
area of about a thousand acres. 

The surface of the land is of great diversi- 
ty, part being nearly flat or gently rolling, 
and part consisting of steep ridges and round 
or irregular hills, somewhat strewn with 



418 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



boulders. A more particular account of the 
peculiarities of each subdivision of the county 
is given in the stor}'- of each townsh^p. 

Estimates of the averajre heifi-ht of the 
land above the sea level, place the various 
townships of Waseca County, as follows: 
Blooming Grove, 1,150 feet; Woodville, 1,150, 
Otisco, 1,160; New Eichland, 1,190; Iosco, 
1,100 ; St. Mary, 1,120 ; Wilton, 1,110 ; Byron, 
1,150; Janesville. 1,060; Alton, 1,060; Free- 
dom, 1,070 and Vivian, 1,100, or a mean for 
the county of 1,120 feet. 

The whole face of the country is covered 
with the fine black, fertile, gravelly clay, 
with occasional boulders, with an excellent 
subsoil of till, both colored by the decay of 
vegetation through countless centuries. It 
contains a considerable amount of limestone, 
in a pulverized condition, as well as in peb- 
bles, which contributes, in an important de- 
gree,tothe productiveness of the soil. Wheat, 
oats, corn, potatoes, flax, sorghum, and all 
the crops that belong to this latitude, are 
here successfully cultivated, while indigenous 
grasses form a succulent food for grazing 
herds. 

Timber covers the greater part of Janes- 
ville Township, the west half of Alton and 
northwestern Iosco, this being the soutli- 
east edge of the Big Woods. About half of 
Blooming Grove is also wooded, and numer- 
ous large groves occur in the townships of 
St. Mary, Woodville and Otisco, and in the 
northeastern part of New Eichland. The 
Le Sueur River is bordered by timber, which 
attains a width of one to one and a half 
miles at the east side of this stream in south- 
east Wilton and the adjoining edge of Otisco. 
The lalces are bordered l)y wood, as are the 
smaller streams. White and red elm, bass, 
sugar and red maple, box-elder, black and 
burr oak, butternut, white and black ash, 
ironwood, wild plum, Juneberry, crab-apple, 
poplar, Cottonwood and willow are the prin- 
cipal trees that make up this timber. 

GEOLOGY. 

Says the state geologist in speaking of the 



geological structure of Waseca County, in 
his exhaustive report : 

No outcrop of the strata underlying the 
drift occurs in this count}'^, but they have 
been reached by wells at three localities. 
One of these near Janesville, after passing 
through 200 feet of blue clay, reached a 
sandstone, said to be identical with the St. 
Peter in appearance. An abundance of 
good water, which rose to w^ithin thirty 
feet of the surface, was found between the 
clay and the sandstone. 

At the town of New Richland, a well at 
Dunwoody ct Corson's mill reached a deptli 
of 110 feet, finding the following section : 
soil, 2 feet ; yellow till, with streaks of 
sand, yielding water, 30 feet ; blue till, 
softer and sticky, 66 feet; sand, 2 feet; and 
hard, straw-colored sandstone, 10 feet. At 
this depth water was struck, and rose in two 
minutes to within thirty feet of the surface. 
Another well at this mill, 149 feet deep, 
gives the following : drift, 107 feet ; yellow 
calcareous sandstone, 40 feet, and a similar 
rock of a blue color, 2 feet. A very large 
supply of water was obtained, rising to the 
same height as the last. The well at the 
depot, about forty rods north of the fore- 
going, and on land of the same height, is 
129 feet deep, and found the soil 2 feet thick ; 
yellow till, spaded, 10 feet; blue till, mostly 
very hai'd, picked, 115 feet; and yellowish 
sandstone similar to that of Dunwoody & 
Corson's well, 2 feet and extending lower. 
Water found in this sandstone rose eight}' 
feet. It is noteworthy that the top of the 
bed rock in these wells, only an eighth of a 
mile apart, differs about 25 feet in lieight, 
probably on account of erosion in a formation 
horizontally stratified. About three miles 
northwest of New Richland, a well 110 feet 
deep on S. W. Franklin's farm, went 10 feet 
into this rock, after penetrating a hundred 
feet of drift, obtaining water in the rock 
which rose to within ten feet of the surface. 
At Owatonna on the northeast, and at Wells 
in Faribault County, on the southwest, simi- 



HISTOKY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



419 



lar forraations of sandstone, with associated 
layers of shale and limestone, encountered 
by deep wells, appear to be of the cretaceous 
age ; and very probably these beds and the 
sandstone of New Eichland, belong to the 
same horizon. 

The whole surface of the county is deeply 
covered with the deposit called drift, which 
has been the despair of scientists to explain, 
hence the invention of the so-called glacial 
theory, but which seems to be doubted by 
the more inquiring minds among our geolo- 
gists. The thickness of tlie drift varies from 
one to two hundred feet over this county 
and the adjoming region. Says the state 
geologist. " This formation is principally the 
unstratified, gravelly and stony clay called 
till, boulder-clay, or hard pan, with which 
are associated beds of modified drift, which 
were gathered from the melting ice, assorted 
and deposited by water." 

MATERIAL BESO0KCES. 

The agricultural capabilities of Waseca 
County, its fertile and almost inexhaustible 
soil, have been spoken of in previous parts of 
this chapter, and it only remains to look into 
the mineralogical resources, to bring this 
chapter to a close. No water-power has 
been utilized in the county as yet. Drift 
boulders are the only stone found for tiie 
construction of foundations, walls of cellars 
and wells, culverts, etc. These boulders 
occur quite commonly upon what is called 
the morainic belt, and sparingly in all other 
parts of the county. They are mostly varie- 
ties of granite, syenite, and gneiss, with 
occasional blocks of limestone. In size thej' 
reach to five feet, and rarely to ten feet in 
diameter. 

Lime has been burned by E. R. Tuttle for 
many years past, in Janesville, from the 



boulders of magnesian limestone in the drift. 
The annual product of this necessary article 
has been from one to two hundred barrels. 
The greater part of these boulders, say about 
three-fourths or more, make a fine white 
lime; while the remainder yield lime of a 
yellowish or darkish gray color. 

Brick have been and are being made at 
several places in the county, some of which 
are of an excellent quality. For many years 
Mr. Tuttle, at Janesville, has produced from 
100,000 to 400,000 per year. He is said to use 
a stratified j'ellow and gray clay, which con- 
tains sandy layers, so that it needs no more 
admixture of sand. These bricks are of a 
red color and good quality. 

On section 2, Iosco, close to the county 
line, and about one and a half miles 
south of "Waterville, red brick have been 
made for some years. This yard produced 
about two to three hundred thousand annu- 
ally, of excellent quality. The clay used is 
stratified. It contains no sand in its upper 
four or five feet ; but its layers below are 
separated by little seams of sand, occasion- 
ally with a thin film of iron rust. This clay 
bed extends to a depth of at least thirteen 
feet, and is sufficient to make many millions 
of brick. 

There is also found in the county many 
springs, some of them medicinal. Some in sec- 
tion 9, Otisco, are of a chalybeate character, 
and possibly of a salty nature, as they are 
resorted to by the cattle. Another, of an irony 
nature, somewiiat resorted to by the jieople 
of the vicinity, and from Waseca, because 
of its medicinal properties, alterative and 
tonic, is situated northwest of the foregoing, 
in the southeast quarter of section 5, Otisco 
Township. Many others are of the same 
general character, but no general analysis of 
their waters has been attempted as yet. 



CHAPTER III. 




EAELY SETTLEMENT. 



HE annals of the early settlement 
of any countiy, while it is the 
most difficult part to collate, is j^et 
the most interesting and enter- 
taining to the general reader, and 
of absorbing interest to the 
pioneer himself. Here the early 
^^^ settler, noble forerunner of the 
present civilization, sees the 
graphic picture of those early 
days when first he pitched his tent in the 
wilderness, when first he reared his humble 
cabin in the grove, or on the wind-swept 
prairie. As he pores over these lines, busy 
memory recalls the recollections of those by- 
gone days, and he lovingly lingers over the 
pages, while in meditation the picture grows, 
and he lives once more those hours of 
frontier life. lie loses the present, and en- 
joys again the halcyon days when he iiad 
youtli and health and strength, and in the 
bright glamour that memory throws around 
those distant days, sees the little cabin and 
the homelv hearthstone, around which gath- 
ered wife and little ones when the labors of 
the day had been finished, and night had 
drawn her sable curtain around the world. 
Anon comes up the somber side of the ])ic- 
ture, the trial, the hardship, the almost 
penury and want, when the gaunt wolf, 
starvation, lay close beside the cabin door. 
The life of the heroic pioneer was not all a 
bed of roses. In his day dreams he sees 
himself starting with the patient, but slow 
l)lodding ox team, or scarcely more active 
horses, for the far distant settlement seventy- 
five miles awaj^ or more, for the necessaries 
of life, through a new country unsupplied 
with roads. The loved ones at home man- 



aged to keep life in them by feeding upon a 
scanty supply of hulled corn, and percliance 
a little milk, if the onl}^ cow had not suc- 
cumbed to the rigors of a hyperborean 
winter. 

But times grow brigliter and better, and 
as memory pursues the train of thought, he 
sees tlie country gradually tilling up with 
whole-souled, hospitable people, the trading 
points grow nearer and nearer, until they 
are almost at his very door ; sees thriving 
towns and flourishing villages spring up 
around him, where he found only waving 
grass and unsightly weeds. Thus it is that 
this part of local history is doubly dear to 
all that remain of that little band of i)ioneers 
who first located upon the soil of this 
count}'. Manj' of them have been gath- 
ered to their reward, and others have sought 
distant localities, but to those who do remain, 
these pages may prove the solace of a weary 
hour. 

For several years prior to the advent of 
any wiiite settlers, it is more than prol)able 
that white trappers and hunters pursued 
their calling upon the banks of the streams 
and in the Woods and groves of Waseca 
County; but if this is so, tradition fails to 
preserve the record of it, and the dead ashes 
of oblivion cover it from human ken. 

The first white man to come herewith the 
intention of making a permanent settlement 
was Asa G. Sutlief. On a l)rightand beauti- 
ful day in August, 1S54, slowly over the 
southern part of this county, then an unin- 
habited wilderness, the bright sun beaming 
down upon a vast sea of green, the air per- 
fumed with the scent of many gorgeous 
flowers, came a little cavalcade. Foremost 



420 



HISTORY OF WASECA CODNTY. 



421 



a canvas-topped wagon, bearing the pioneer, 
tall, dark and slender, his raven hair and 
keen black eyes denoting his descent from 
Gallic ancestry. 'Xeath the flapping sides of 
the wagon tent, could have been seen the 
form of his wife, and the laughing faces of 
his two children, Delancy and Rhoda. 
"With them they had some sheep and about 
thirty head of cattle. Looking around him, 
Mr. Sutlief, one of the best judges of land 
that ever came to this part of the county, 
determined to settle here. lie was a native 
of the State of Ohio, and being of a naturally 
-adventurous disposition, he had hardly at- 
tained the age of nineteen years, when he 
made a trip into the wilds of Michigan. 
After returning to his home, he removed 
to McHenrj^ County, 111., where he settled 
down for a while. 

Becoming restless, however, he left there 
and became one of the hardy pioneers who, 
about that time, had commenced to ]ilant 
the banner of progress in the wilds of what 
is now Dodge County, Wisconsin. Here he 
remained until June, 1854-, when he fitted 
out three wagons for a trip into the then 
wilderness of Minnesota. Besides his wife 
and children he was accompanied by three 
hired men, who took care of about sixty 
sheep and thirty or more head of cattle. 
After crossing the river at La Crosse, on the 
second day from that place they were over- 
taken by Judge Green and Messrs. Boomer, 
Bentley and Hollings worth, the latter the 
father of Mrs. Sutlief ; all were from Dodge 
County, also. This little company traveled 
across the prairie for fifteen days without 
meeting with a single person. Arriving at 
Mankato on the 3d of July, they rested 
there the Fourth, but soon pressed on west, 
and seven miles west of the Minnesota River, 
on the old Fort Ridgely road, Mr. Sutlief 
made a claim, the other parties returning 
home. In August, after having put up a 
claim shanty and breaking some land, he 
concluded to sell his claim and make a set- 
tlement on the rich lands on the Le Sueur 



River. Therefore we see him returning in 
this direction. He selected some land on 
section 35, on the south bend of that river in 
the southern jiart of what is now Wilton 
Township. On this spot he erected a cabin, 
going to Mankato for boards to coVer it. He 
then broke up the sod over a few acres, and 
cut enough grass to make hav with which to 
feed his stock through the coming winter. 
In the latter part of November, of the same 
year, he employed Luther Barrett, formerly 
of Horicon, Wis., but then of Mankato, to 
live in his shanty and tend his stock, and 
putting his wife and children into one of 
his wagons drawn by an ox team, started for 
his home in the Badger State, where he still 
owned a farm. They camped in the wagon 
at night until they reached La Crescent. 
There they had to wait for the freezing of 
the river so that they might cross, and on 
the fourth day after their arrival there, al- 
though the ice was barely thick enough to 
bear up a man, in his rash, impetuous way 
he started to cross. After a thorough exam- 
ination of the way, obtaining help he cast 
the oxen, and tieing their feet together, drew 
them across on the slippery ice. The wagon 
was pulled over the same way, and then the 
family escorted over. 

In January, 1855, returning to Waseca 
County, Mr. Sutlief was accompanied by 
James E. Child, then a young man ; his 
brother, Simeon P. Child, a stripling of nine- 
teen, and a man by the name of Flummer, 
who had joined them at or near La Crescent. 
A history of their journey is given by J 
E. Child in a personal reminiscence in this 
work, and it is not necessary to repeat it 
here. Arriving here on the second day of 
January, 1855, they found the shanty of Mr. 
Sutlief in the charge of Barrett, and were 
glad of shelter from winter's cold and freez- 
ing breath. They settled down in the Sut- 
lief cabin, but in a few weeks Mr. Sutlief 
returned to Wisconsin to settle up his affairs. 
He returned once in June, 1855, but it was 
November when he came here to stay, at 



422 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



which time his family came with him. In 
the fall of 1S67 Mr. Sutlief left here, going 
to Wisconsin, and from there to Texas, re- 
turning in about four years later with a 
drove of Texas cattle. He died here October 
13, 1871, one of the wealthiest men in the 
county. Few men were better calculated by 
nature and experience to overcome the ob- 
stacles and hardships incident to pioneer life 
than he. Fertile in resources, although his 
actions might have seemed rashness to a less 
dauntless man, he was, nevertheless, a cau- 
tious and safe guide on the frontier. 

Luther Barrett, whom he left in charge of 
his stock, was a cooper by ti-ade, and unmar- 
ried. He was a great hand for hunting, and 
followed that more than anything else. He 
lived at Mankato, where he built what is 
now" called the Minneopa Hotel, but later 
Avent to the mineral regions of the Rocky 
Mountains. 

Plummer took up a claim and lived on it 
the next sumnrer, but when the leaves beg-an 
to fall, he left here and returned to Wiscon- 
sin, whence he had come. 

James E. Child is still in Waseka County, 
the oldest resident settler, and is noticed at 
length in the chapter devoted to the Press, 
he having been connected with that engine 
of civilization for over twent3' vears. 

Simeon P. Child is a native of Ohio, born 
in 1835, and remained in his native State 
until 1838, when his parents removed to New 
York, where they had formerly lived. Six 
years later the family returned to Ohio, 
but in a year emigrated to Wisconsin, then 
a new country. In 1855 he came to this 
county. On the breaking out of the Indian 
massacre, he enlisted in Company B, First 
Minnesota Mounted Bangers, and was made 
seventh corporal. After taking part in the 
Sibley expedition, he was discharged with 
the regiment, and was connected with the 
supplying of provisions, trains, etc., for that 
part of the army, continuing until the 
close of the war. Coming back here he 
stayed only one year, and then moved to 



Blue Earth City, where he started a bank in 
company with H. D. Baldwin. Becoming 
involved at the time of the failure of the 
Baldwin & Kittredge bank at Waseca, this 
was closed. Shortly after he started a brick- 
yard at that place. He was one of the 
leaders of the Bepublican party in Faribault 
County, and was a member of the lower 
house in the Legislature during the sessions 
of 1872-3. In the session of 187-1, he was in 
the State Senate, and in 1877 again in the 
House. He was appointed assistant post- 
master of the United States Senate the next 
year, and while there, was made United 
States postoffice inspector, which position 
he held until the year 1886, when he was 
suspended from active service. He is still a 
resident of Faribault County, engaged in 
farming. 

Scarce a week had elapsed from the date 
of the arrival of the first settlers, when 
Christopher Scott with his family made his 
appearance. Having no cabin built they, 
rather than camp in the snow and cold, took 
up their quarters in the shanty of Mr. Sut- 
lief, which, although but 14x16 feet in size, 
at that time was fully occupied b}'^ twelve 
people. Scott took up a claim about a mile 
north of Mr. Sutlief's, where he put up a 
cabin. This house, so called, was covered 
witli "troughs," the crevices between the 
logs of the side walls and the "troughs " of 
the roof being chinked in with dried praii'ie 
grass, cut in February, and daubed with 
mud. The floor was the frozen ground, and 
for warmth it was banked up with snow, of 
which there was an abundance. Christopher 
Scott remained here a few years and then 
removed to Kansas, where he has since died. 
He was a Pennsylvanian and came here from 
what was then called the " Straight River 
settlement," now Owatonna, where he had 
located the previous fall. Andrew Scott 
came the same spring and lived on his claim 
on section 13, for a while and then removed 
to Wilton, where he died. His son Charles 
is still a resident of the township. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COITNTY. 



423 



In the month of April two brothers, 
George and William Bobbins, came to this 
county and located on the east side of the 
Le Sueur River, in what is now Otisco 
Township. In the summer of 1856, they 
sold their claim and moved west to what 
was then called the Blue Earth country. 

The next to settle in the county were 
Abraham and Joseph Bird, John White, 
Gottlieb, Martin and J. Fred. Krassin, Gott- 
lieb and Frederick Prechel, Frederick Wub- 
schall and Bernard Gregory. 

Abraham Bird and his brother were En- 
glish by birth. On coming to this county, 
in June, 1855, they located in what is now 
St. Mary Township. Joseph remained here 
until about the year 1870, when he removed 
west to Oregon. Abraham Bird died in 
this county about the year 1867. John 
White, a native of the Emerald Isle, was a 
brother-in-law of the Birds, and settled with 
them in St. Mary, locating near what was 
afterward the site of the village of that 
name. He is still a resident of the count}', 
dwelling in Iosco Township. 

Gottlieb Krassin Sr. was an old man, 
born in Prussia, Germany, and lived with his 
son Martin, but took up a claim as most of 
the early settlers did in those days. Ilis 
land also lay in what is now St. Mary. 
About the year 1860 he died in this county. 

Martin Krassin, his son, was also a native 
of Prussia. On coming here he settled on 
what Avas then Indian lands inside the limits 
of the reservation, but in a few weeks 
found out his mistake, and removed to St. 
Mary Township, and made a claim upon 
which he resided until May 15, 1877, when 
he was called away by the angel of death. 
His family are still residents of the county. 
He had a family of six children, one of whom 
is the present sheriff of the county. 

John Fred. Krassin was a bachelor, and 
settled in St. Mary, and is still living in 
single blessedness at Wilton. He is of Ger- 
man birth, and a son of Gottlieb Sr. also. 

Gottlieb Prechel, brother-in-law of Martin 



Krassin, a Prussian by birth, made a settle- 
ment in St. Ma,ry, where he still resides. 

Fred. Prechel located also in St. Mary. 
He was a member of one of the cavalry regi- 
ments sent from this State to aid in suppress- 
ing the I'ebellion. He is now a resident of 
Wilton Township. 

Frederick Wubschall, also a German by 
birth, settled in the same town, where he lo- 
cated in June, 1855, and is still a resident. 

Bernard Gregory, an American by birth, 
made his claim in the town of St. Mary, and 
settled there with his family. He had a 
wife and four children at that time ; one son 
is now in Dakota, and one is a resident of 
this county. Both daughters are dead. Mr. 
Gregory died here in 1877, his wife in 1883. 
A daughter of his, Louisa by name, was one 
of the parties in the first marriage celebrated 
in the county. She died August 15, 1878, 
at Decoria, Blue Earth County, this State. 

David and John Jenkins came to the 
count}' in the same summer, locating in Wil- 
ton Township. They wei'e natives of the 
State of New York. David settled near the 
site of the village of Wilton, and is now a 
resident of Blue Earth County. John was 
the first justice of the peace, appointed by 
the Governor, for this part of what was then 
Steele County. In 1862 he enlisted in the 
Fifth Minnesota Infantry, and died at luka. 
Miss., August 21, 1862. 

In the spring of 1855 four young men 
came to this county, and building a log cabin 
on section 1, in what is now Blooming- 
Grove Township, commenced life as gay 
young bachelors. Their names were: 
Michael Johnson, Jonathan Howell, A. J. 
Bell and S. F. Wyman. These were the first 
settlers in that part of the county. They 
kept "bach" in their cabin, living after a 
fashion, cooking part of the time without a 
stove, for about two years, when Wyman and 
Bel] left the company, setting up for them- 
selves. The remaining portion of the outfit 
kept up bachelors' hall for about seven years 
longer, when Johnson was married and is 



424 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



still a resident of the townsliip. Mr. Howell 
died here, a single man, in 1880 ; Bell re- 
moved to Faribault, and Mr. "Wyman lives 
at Waseca. 

J. M. Blivens came here early in 1855, 
and taking up a farm on the west half of sec- 
tion 32, in Blooming Grove, gave his name 
to the settlement that soon grew up around 
him. He lived here for many years, finall}^, 
in 1866, removing to Missouri, where he is 
now living. 

In June, Simeon Smith and his son Alfred 
C. with their families came to this county. 
Simeon took up a claim on sections 31 and 
32, in Blooming Grove. Alfred located his 
land on section 5, of Woodville Township, 
but on account of the fear of the Indians that 
prevailed at that time, he resided with his 
father until the following year, when he 
removed to a cabin which he built on his 
own land. Simeon lived on his place until 
his death, in November, 1872. Alfred is 
now living on his father's place. 

In June, this same year, Ole Knutson, now 
a resident of Kenville County, came to the 
Blooming Grove settlement, and taking up a 
claim, commenced to open up a farm, and 
remained a resident of this county for many 
years. 

During the same summer a settlement was 
commenced in what is now Iosco Township. 
Early in July of that year, Luke B. Osgood 
came here with his family and erected the 
first shanty witliin tlie bounds of the town 
of Iosco. All that summer the family lived 
in this make-sliift house, built of rough logs, 
a hole cut in it for a doorway, but no door 
swung ; no windows, and a dirt floor. In the 
fall, however, he got up a more comfortable 
place. Some years' residence in this place 
was terminated bv his sellinjjout and movino- 
to Michigan, where he died about the year 
1883. 

Daniel McDaniels and John H. "Wheeler 
came to Iosco with Mr. Osgood. McDaniels 
finally removed to Missouri. John H. 
Wheeler resided here until 1886, when he 



sold out the farm he had on section 29, the 
place of his original settlement, to Julius 
Mittelstadt, and removed to Nebraska. 

Michael Anderson made a settlement in 
what is now Otisco Township, in July, 1855. 
He is now a resident of Lyons County, this 
State. He was a Norwegian by birth. 

John Davis and Alfred Holstein, John 
Rowley, Patrick Moonan, John, James and 
Patrick McCue, George Merrill and John 
Cunningham made settlements in Janesville 
Township, and J. W. Hosmer and N. E. 
Strong in what is now Iosco. John Davis 
went back to his Carolina home ; Holstein 
went to the penitentiary for horse-stealing ; 
Patrick Moonan is still a resident of the 
county; James McCue died here in 1885, 
and John and Patriclc removed from the 
county some years ago ; George Merrill is 
still livmg in the county ; J. W. Hosmer 
lives at Janesville Village, and N. E. Strong 
is in California. 

William M. Gray, a native of New York 
State, came to Blooming Grove in the sum- 
mer of 1855, and took up a claim. He was 
a resident of the county at the time of his 
decease, in 1872. 

Burgeff Oleson, Knute Hanson and Ilalvor 
Thoi'son, three Norwegians, settled in Otisco 
in this same jenr. All are now residents of 
the old homesteads established at that time. 

George Merrill, now of Alton, made a set- 
tlement in Janesville in this year, where he 
lived many years. 

Aaron Hanes and Joseph Madrew settled 
in Iosco during the year 1855. Hanes died 
here in 1859, and Madrew sold out his 
claim shortly after locating it, and returned 
to Wisconsin. 

Eobert and Hugh McDougal, two Scotch- 
men, came to Waseca County from Canada, 
where they had lived, in the fall of 1855, and 
took up claims on section 6, Otisco Town- 
ship. In a few years Hugh returned to Can- 
ada, where he lives. Eobert, after a trip to 
the mountains and a stay of a few years in 
Canada, whei-e he was married, returned 



HISTOET OF WASECA COUNTY. 



425 



here and died on his place January 15, 1887. 

John G. Greening came in 1855, and, 
settling in Otisco Township, made it his 
home for many years. From here he re- 
moved to Minneapolis, where he died. 

Ferdinand Turnacliff and his sons, Jack- 
son and Delevan, made settlements in this 
same township during the same year, and 
are still numbered among the pioneer citizens 
of the county. 

John Wind, R. Dreever and John Bradish 
all settled in Janesville Township in this 
same year. Wind died here long since ; 
John Bradish is still a resident of the town- 
ship; Dreever removed to Iosco Township, 
where he died in 1885. George Dreever 
also settled here at the same time, and is 
now a resident of Iosco. 

The Reraund brothers came to Blooming 
Grove in 1855, and made settlements, where 
they are still living. Their claims were lo- 
cated on sections 8 and 9. 

David and A. H. Coddington were among 
the settlers of Iosco in 1855. David was 
called by the angel of death in 1878; A. 
H. removed to Kansas. 

Jeremiah Hogan came to Waseca County 
from his native State, Kentucky, in this same 
year, and located on section 21, Janesville. 
A few years since, after a long residence, he 
was found dead in his house, the summons 
having come upon him suddenly. With him 
came James Thomas and John Hogan, all of 
whom are yet living in the county. 

Austin Abell, in September, 1855, came to 
Otisco Township and made a claim, where he 
resided for some years. He was a native of 
New York State, and resided here until dur- 
ing the war when he enlisted in the Eleventh 
Minnesota Infantry, and is now a resident of 
Winona. 

Bernard Bunchell, now of Portland, Ore., 
was also a settler of the year 1855 in Otisco 
Township. 

Samuel and Luther Dickenson came in the 
fall of 1855, and located in the northwestern 
part of Blooming Grove. Three years later 



Luther returned home to the Green Moun- 
tain State. In 1860, Samuel removed to Le 
Sueur County, 

Curtis Hatch, a blind man, settled with his 
family in Blooming Grove, in the fall of 1855. 
He died in Moody County, D. T., in 1884. 
M. P. Ide settled here the same time. 

Daniel C. Davis located upon section 33, 
Byron Township, this year. He is still a 
resident of that portion of the county. He 
came here with his father, Jeremy Davis, 
who was the first to build a house in the 
town named above. The elder Davis died 
here, September 13, 1863. He was a native 
of New Jersey, as is his son Daniel. 

In 1856 quite a tide of emigration swept 
across the country, and many came to what 
is now Waseca CountJ^ Among those now 
called to memory, were: B. F. Weed, E. A. 
Rice, Isaac Hamlin, A. Kellogg, William 
Wells, Jesse I. Stewart, Jacob and George 
E. Brubaker, Tarrant Putnam, H. P. Nor- 
ton, Nathaniel Garland, John C. Ide, Thomas 
L. Paige, Michael O'Brien, N. Duane Baker, 
Alexander Henderson and others, who lo- 
cated in Wilton ; E. R. Conner, George Dean, 
John and James Walker, William Donaldson, 
Patrick Healy, Lewis McKune, John L. 
Saufferer, Cornelius Hand, J. N. Power, 
Philo Woodruff, John Gibson, Daniel Riegle, 
Patrick Murphy, Andrew Nelson, Joshua, 
Josiah, Henry and Samuel Smith, Jacob 
Oory, W. H. Young, B. Sharp and Joseph 
Churchill, who located in the northeastern 
part of the County, in Blooming Grove 
Township ; W. H. Chamberlain, John Bailey, 
Christian and Gottlieb Krassin Jr., John 
Worden, H. S. Loveland, Buel Welsh of St. 
Mary ; H. A. Mosher, J. A. Canfiekl, H. G. 
Mosher, Silas Grover, William Smith, W. S. 
Baker, H. Williams, P. Young, E. B. Stearns 
and others, who located in Otisco ; Obediah 
Powell, Nathaniel Wood, Eri G. and Loren 
Clark Wood, Henry Watkins, C. B. Lyman 
and Jacob M^^ers, who all chose locations in 
what is now Woodville ; H. P. Chamberlain, 
John F. Allen, John Minske, Gottfried 



420 



HISTORY OF WASKCA COUNTY. 



Kanne, William Martzahn, Dano Hutchin- 
son, John J. Fell, H. W. Peck, G. L. Leonard, 
Daniel Tripp, Ilial I). P.aldwin, B. W. Gil'- 
furd, A. A. Cotton, S. \V^ and Geoi-ge W. 
Long, M. S. Green, S. J. Willis and others, 
who settled in Iosco Township; Joim Put, 
William Caliill, John, James and Patrick 
McC'ue, Cajsar DeEegan, W. H. Crawford, 
Charles (Jolestock, E. Brown, Alexander 
Johnston, W. N. Buckhout and many others, 
in Jancsville precinct ; Anthony Sampson, 
II. H. Sunde, K. O. liofegard, H. T. Iland- 
grud, O. K. Hagen, W. Anderson, K. Knud- 
son, E. O. Strenge, Erick Christianson, J. S. 
Eice and others, who found homes in what is 
is now New llichland. 

These old settlers are mentioned merely 
as an index of what will be furnished in de- 
tail in the histories of the various townships, 
where the settkjment of these and many 
more is related at full length. The list is 
])nt a partial one of all those who came after 
the first year, but all are mentioned else- 
where, none being forgotten or overlooked 
that are remembered by the pioneers of the 
county. 

CLAIM JUMPING. 

During the winter of 1855-6, ill-feeling 
having arisen between the proprietors of the 
town site of Wilton, and the surrounding 
settlers, the former employed some parties 
to jump the chums of the McDougal brothers 
and tlie Eobbins brothers, just east of the 
Le Sueur Eiver. These last named parties, 
all foui-, v,'eni (Canadians, who had come hei'e 
and had honestly taken up claims in good 
faith, but who had neglected to declare their 
intentions, legally, of becoming citizens of 
the United States, thinking that it could 
be done at the time of proving up their 
claims. This reason, and that of claiming 
more land than they were entitled to were 
the excuses given by the " jumpers." The 
scheme would not work, however. As soon 
as it was understood throughout the little 
settlement, an impromptu meeting was held 
and a decision quickly reached It was, that, 



they go in a body and interview the "claim 
jumpers" and give them to understand that 
such ]n'oceedings could and would not be 
allowed in the settlement. Accordingly tiiey 
proceeded to where the cul]5rits were, who 
under the direction of the town owners were 
putting up a cabin on one of the " jumped " 
claims. In very few words their wishes were 
communicated by the settlers assembled, but 
tiie "claim jumpers," being under legal advice, 
conducted themselves accordingly. Says a 
local writer : " There was none of that blunt, 
outspoken honesty common to oui' western 
pioneers, but a studied purjiose to overreach 
the boys in a legal point, and preserve them- 
selves from physical harm." More worils 
were exchanged, when the exas])ei"ated set- 
tlers invited the interlopers to step one side, 
while the owners of the land tore down the 
building then in course of construction. This 
they did, not wishing to bring down upon 
themselves the signal vengeance of the deter- 
mined men who surrounded them. After 
witnessing the tearing-down operation they 
retired from the Held. 

But the end was not yet. A short time 
after this, the discomfited "claim jumpers" 
swore out warrants before the authorities at 
Owatonna, as this was then a part of Steele 
County, for the apprehension of live of the 
settlers who had been foremost in the work, 
and that, and a peremptory subpa^na for 
nearly all the other settlers on the Le Sueur 
Eiver, was brought over by the proper of- 
ficers, the arrests made and summons served. 
Forthwith appearing at the bar of the court 
in Owatonna, the accused were placed on 
trial and three of the five found guilty. The 
other two were discharged on the motion of 
the prosecuting attorney. Those whom the 
verdict proclaimed guilty entered an appeal 
to the district court, and were discharged on 
account of some error in the proceedings. A 
lawsuit about the same time was com- 
menced in Winona, before the United States 
land officers, in order to settle the rights of 
the parties in interest. During the next 




Ci/7^ ^^ivtxc^A-^ 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



429 



year, both parties and many witnesses made 
several trips to Winona, but about the end of 
that time the matter was settled by a com- 
promise, and all were again happy. 

HAED TIMES. 

The following, quoted from an article from 
the pen of James E. Child, one of the par- 
ticipants in the scenes he so graphically de- 
scribes, recalls the hardshij^s of pioneer days: 

"The summer of 1S58 will long be remem- 
bered by the early settlers of the county, as 
tlie most disastrous of any up to the j^resent 
time. Nearly or quite one-half of the people of 
the county had settled along the Le Sueur 
Kiver. Many of the farmers had no crops 
except on the bottom lands, while nearly all 
had more or less, on these lands adjoining 
the river. During the early part of the sea- 
son the crops looked well ; but in the latter 
part of July heavy and oft repeated storms 
swept over the whole country. During the 
first week in August storm succeeded storm, 
until the whole country was inundated. The 
waters of the rivers and streams were in- 
creased to such an extent that their banks 
were overflown. The bottom lands looked 
like great inland seas. Fences were torn 
down and carried away ; hay and grain 
stacks were torn to pieces and carried down 
stream ; trees were washed out by the roots, 
and wheat, corn and potato crops were de- 
stroyed in a day. 

" Whole families stood by in astonishment, 
witli despair depicted in every feature, and 
witnessed the destruction of their only means 
of subsistence for the coming year. Most 
of the settlers had spent their limited means 
in purchasing their lands and improving 
them, and were entirely dependent upon 
their growing crops for a supply of food. 
The crops on the bottom lands, nearly or 
quite one-half of the whole, were almost a 
total loss, while those on the highlands were 
badly injured. 

" Many gave up in despair, and, with what 
they had left, ' pulled up stakes ' and left the 



country. A general depression rested upon 
the whole country, and the succeeding year . 
was a season of ' hard times.' A whole 
chapter of incidents might be written of the 
hardships endured by the settlers during the 
winter of 1858-9 and the following spring. 
Manj"^ farmers lived for months on corn- 
bread, milk and butter ; some lived for weeks, 
in the spring, on milk and wild roots ; some 
lived on fish, and all suffered more or less 
deprivation. 

" During the spring many cattle died of 
starvation, and the people who lived here at 
that time are seldom heard to call the pres- 
ent ' hard times.' " 

Says Hon. William Brisbane, in speaking 
of hard times in early days : " Speaking of 
graham bread, I can assure you that twenty- 
eight years ago a loaf of graham bread or a 
corn dodger, with a very thin sprinkling of 
molasses, would have been thankfully re- 
ceived and no questions asked. Those were 
the days that tried men's stomachs as well 
as their souls, but we lived and hoped for 
better days, for we had faith in the resources 
of Waseca County. Thanks to the industri- 
ous energy of the people, our expectations 
have been fully realized ; as the good Book 
says : ' The rain is over and gone, and the 
time of the singing of birds has come ;' yet 
I never knew or saw a tragedy acted but 
there was always some comical or ludicrous 
scenes interlarded with it. . . . The 
following is a fact, although it smacks of 
the improbable : A family out in the 
Big Woods, be3'ond Janesville, were sorely 
pressed, for gaunt Famine was wagging his 
bony finger in their faces. Almost in de- 
spair they went into the woods and tried to 
find some roots, whereby they miglit satisfy 
the cravings of hunger. They were success- 
ful in unearthing the sought-for roots, but 
were afraid that they might be poisonous. 
Something must be done ; they would try an 
experiment. As luck would have it, there 
was a crazy sort of fellow in the family ; so 
they thought they would try it on him. If 



430 



HISTOKT OF WASECA COUNTY. 



he died it woidd be no great loss, and if he 
lived, why couldn't they. You see that they 
were excellent logicians. "Well, the crazy 
fellow lived, but you can bet that he never 
fared so well again as he did on the day the 
life or death experiment was tried." 

HISTORICAL ITEMS. 

The first birth in the county was that of a 
child born to Mr. and Mrs. Plunimer, in the 
township of Wilton, born in July, 1855. 

The first death is believed to have been 
that of the wife of Josiah Smith, of Bloom- 
ing Grove, who died in the fall of 1856. 

William Wells, of Wilton, had a child die 
in 1856, also, probably the second death in 
the county. 

The first marriage was that which united 
the destinies of a Mr. Ballard, of Mankato, and 
Louisa A. Gregory, of this county, which 
took place at the house of the bride's par- 
ents, on the 2d of January, 1856. It is re- 
corded of this interesting event, that great 
preparations had been made, and invitations 
issued to friends, both far and near, John 
Jenkins, the only justice of the peace, being 
duly secured to tie the hymeneal knot. On 
the evening in question the 'Squire, hiring a 
man to take him to the house of Mr. Gregoiy 
in a sleigh, started. The weather was in- 
tensely cold, the snow deep and badly drift- 
ed. They got along very well until the dark- 
ness overtook them, when they lost their 
way, and wandered around over the cold, 
bleak prairie the whole night, trying to 
reach the appointed place. About four o'clock 
in the morning they managed to return 
to the place from which they had started, 
where they soon warmed themselves up 
with hot coffee, hot cakes and fried pork, 
which restored their exhausted frames. 
Breakfast eaten, they again started for the 
scene of the wedding. In the meantime the 
folks at the house of Mr. Gregory had 
been waiting expectantlj^ for the arrival of 
the 'Squire ; the bride was ready, the groom 
on hand, each with his or her best friend 
to help them pass through the ordeal, but 



still no 'Squire appeared. Expectation grew 
into anxiety as the night wore on, and the 
question as to what was the matter, was 
bandied about among the waiting guests. 
All night the assembled company kept 
watch, but he came not. With the morninir 
came the 'Squire, but on his arrival he found 
that a party had sallied forth to look after 
him, so the ceremon^^ had to be deferred 
until they had returned. About dark the 
searchers returned, but it was so late that it 
was thought necessary to have supper be- 
fore proceeding to the business of the day. 
Many were the jokes and laughs about the 
first marriage ceremony to be performed by 
the bachelor justice. The supper over, the 
table was cleared away, the 'Squire called up 
the wedding party. Says our informant, 
'' the ceremony was short and to the ]ioint." 
After joining the hands of the young couple 
Squire Jenkins turning to the groom, asked 
" Mr. Ballard, do you take Miss Gregory to 
be your wife ? " The answer came prompt- 
ly, "Yes, sir." Then to the blushing bride, 
" Miss Gregory, do you take Mr. Ballard as 
your lawful husband ? " In a low tone came 
the expected answer, "Yes, sir." "All 
right," said the 'Squire, " then you're man 
and wife." This finished the ceremony, and 
the relieved company began to enter ujion 
the festivities usual at that time. 

The second marriage took place upon the 
19th day of April, 1856. At that time 
James E. Child and Justina Krassin pledged 
themselves "to cleave unto one another until 
death do them part," before John Jenkins, 
justice of the peace. 

The first school was opened in what is now 
Blooming Grove Township, in 1857, and was 
taught by IVIrs. Lina Hughes. This was in 
what is now district No. 7, then No. 1. 

The fii-st religious services were held at 
the house of Christian Kemund, in Blooming 
Grove, by Rev. Mr. Groeciitenme^yer, in 
1856. This was by the German Methodists 
and an organization was then effected that 
exists to this day. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



431 



The first postoffice was established at 
Swaversey, in Blooming Grove Township, 
in 1857, with Mrs. William Gibbs as post- 
mistress, on section 5 of that town. 

ORIGIN OF THE COUNTy's NAME. 

In 1856, some Winona parties laid out a 
town in the southwestern part of Woodville 



Township, which they called Waseca, which 
is a Sioux word denoting rich, especialty in 
provisions. Lobbying in the Legislature to 
have a new county set off and their town 
made the county-seat, they failed to carry 
their point, but the euphony of the name 
seemed to strike those interested, and the 
county was thus christened. 




CHAPTER IV. 




EEMINISCENCES AND INCIDENTS. 



It is the intention to group under 
this he.ad the personal experiences 
of the pioneers and others of the 
county of "Waseca. Many of 
them are written b}^ the early 
settlers themselves, and others 
related and written up from their 
oral relation. In compiling, 
the editor has not attemjjted to 
change the style of the Avriter, 
it being the design to leave them 
as they were penned, a record not 
only of the facts narrated, but preserving 
the individuality of the writer and the view 
he took of the matter. These reminiscences 
are interesting and well worthy a perusal. 

BY JAMES E. CHILD. 

Thirty-three or four years ago the present 
county of Waseca was a portion of the ter- 
ritory known as Blue Earth County. Not a 
single white man then had a habitation with- 
in its borders. The solitude of nature was 
broken only occasionally by the hunter and 
trapper, or by wandering bands of Sioux In- 
dians. Buffalo, elk and deer had for ages 
roamed its prairies and woodlands. Fish 
basked undisturbed in its lakes and streams. 
The muskrat, the otter and the mink gamboled 
upon the ice in winter, with no one to molest 
or make them afraid. Ducks, geese and 
other aquatic fowl covered the waters in 
summer, and chattered and squawked in all 
their native glory. The prairie wolf howled 
upon each little hillock, and coward-like was 
always ready to pounce upon the weak and 
defenseless. Pocket gophers went on with 
their interminable mining operations, all 
unconscious of the inroads soon to be made 
upon their dominions by the husbandman. 



Grouse and prairie chicken crowed, drummed 
and strutted in all their pride, and the winds 
and blizzards and cyclones swept unheeded 
across its solitary waste. The autumnal 
prairie fires, in aU their terrible grandeur 
and beauty, lighted the heavens by night 
and clouded the sun by day. Age after age 
had added alluvial richness to the soil, and 
prepared it, as one of the richest fields in the 
world, for the abode of the husbandman 
and for the uses of civilized man. It 
furnishes food for reflection to the inquiring 
mind at times, that an overruling Providence 
should have sent the Pilgrim Fathers to 
the rock bound and stormy coast of New 
England and reserved the rich prairie lands 
of the west for their descendants and fol- 
lowers. 

In the month of June, 1854, Asa G. Sut- 
lief, his wife and three children, left Dodge 
County, Wis., in covered wagons, taking 
with them quite a drove of cattle and sheep, 
to seek a home in the land of " Laughing 
Waters." 

They passed over the Mississippi at La 
Crosse, and taking across the country in a 
westerly direction, struck the Minnesota 
River at Traverse or St. Peters, locating on a 
claim some five or six miles west of there. 
He had been there only a few days, how- 
ever, before he was offered $100 for his 
claim and accepted it. He then proceeded 
to Mankato, where he left his family, and 
sought a new location, " far from the haunts 
of men." 

After a thorough and extensive tour of 
inspection, he finally selected a portion of 
section 32 in what is now the town of Wil- 
ton, where most of his famih'^ still reside. 
He reached this place with the family in the 



«;i 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



433 



month of August, and at once broke about 
two acres of land, and set about providing 
hay and shelter for his cattle and sheep. 
A "shanty" for himself and family was at 
once reared. It was a work of some magni- 
tude to prepare for winter, but his energy 
and industry overcame all obstacles, and by 
the latter part of November he was ready to 
return to Wisconsin with his family, leaving 
his cattle and premises in charge of Luther 
Barrett, formerly of Horicon, Wis. Mr. 
Sutlief and family made their return trip in 
a covered ox-wagon, arriving at Herman, 
Wis., in the early part of December, 1854. 

On the 9th of January, 1855, Mr. Sutlief 
and James E. Child left Herman for Minne- 
sota with three yoke of oxen, a wagon and 
a sled. At Fox Lake they were joined by 
S. P. Child, then a boy of nineteen, from 
Waupun, Wis., whose whole capital consisted 
of a trunk of clothes, three hogs and consid- 
erable " sand." He was to assist in driving 
the teams and hogs belonging to Mr. Sutlief, 
for his board while on the road. 

Nothing of striking importance occurred 
on the journey until their arrival at La 
Crosse. At this point they crossed the river 
in the dark and on ice which had formed 
since the January thaw. The act of cross- 
ing was a dangerous one and a less venture- 
some man than Mr. Sutlief would, at least, 
have taken daylight for the undertaking. 
About 9 o'clock in the evening they stopped 
at a small house on the west side of the 
Mississippi, occupied by a Mr. Plummer and 
his wife. Here a couple of days were spent 
while Mr. Plummer was getting ready to 
join the company. It took nearly all the 
first day after starting to get the loaded 
vehicles to the top of the river bluff, and the 
party returned to the shanty for the night. 

Early next morning all hands turned out, 
and the first rays of the sun found them on 
the trail, going westward. The day turned 
out cloudy and storni}'^, but the drive was 
short, and just before dark tkey stopped at 
a little frame house near the road, about 



five miles east of the site of the present vil- 
lage of St. Charles. The next morning an 
early start was made so as to reach Roches- 
ter, then called Zumbro Falls, that night. 
The day was pleasant, but the snow had 
drifted in many places, which made travel- 
ing very slow. It was necessary in some 
places to shovel out, or unhitch the teams 
and drive them back and forth through the 
drifts, before attempting to get through 
with the loads, and although the teams were 
urged forward as fast as shouting and whip- 
ping could do it, yet it was eleven o'clock 
at night before they reached a stopping- 
place. The night was cold, and Mr. Sutlief 
frosted his cheeks, ears, nose and feet, and 
Mr. Plummer and S. P. Child, their feet 
sUghtly. The house was filled with travel- 
ers ; the beds were all full ; the floor was 
nearly covered with sleepers, and there was 
no room for these last arrivals except in a 
log shanty "lean-to" with its Dutch fire- 
place. This afforded about the poorest pro- 
tection from cold that could well be imag- 
ined, even by a western man. The roof 
was made of oak shakes, the crevices were 
not plastered or daubed, and the prairie bliz- 
zard whistled through it with a lavish liber- 
ality altogether unpleasant. Our travelers 
made a huge fii"e, and passed the night in 
turning first one side, and then the other to 
it, after the old fashion of roasting spare 
ribs before the fire. 

The next morning the wind blew a gale, and 
the thermometer indicated twentj'-eight de- 
grees below zero, rendering travel across the 
prairies simply impossible. All parties were 
compelled to remain over during the day. 
There were over forty travelers thus de- 
tained. This place being on the stage road 
from Dubuque to St. Paul accounted for so 
many being there. Many a good story, and 
some not so good, were told that da}'^, and 
jokes passed among them in a manner pe- 
cuHar to the west. One fellow, a liquor 
peddler, was quite chagrined at finding his 
whiskey keg bottom end up, the bung-hole 



434 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



open and its contents spread out on the 
snow. The crowd insisted that he had been 
on a spree, and had left the keg in that condi- 
tion himself, and as no one pretended to 
know anything to the contrary, he was 
obliged to smother his pent-up wrath, and 
make the best of the matter. His attempt 
at the retail business in the morning was, 
without doubt, the primary cause of his sad 
loss, at least some of the ladies intimated as 
much. 

The wind lulled during the night, and 
the next morning was bright and pleas- 
ant. Our " first settlers " "tackled up" early 
and started across the prairie for Mantor- 
ville. That village was then less than a 
year old and contained only three or four 
small, log cabins. This was the last settle- 
ment on the road of our travelers until they 
reached their destination. Did you ever see 
a treeless, uninhabited prairie in midwinter <! 
Imagine, if you will, that four men, a woman 
and her small child are about to start across 
a prairie wilderness without an inhabitant, 
without a road, destitute of a tent, the tem- 
perature ten degrees below zero, to spenil 
three days and two nights with no shelter 
save the starry canopy of heaven. Such was 
the reckless and foolhardy undertaking of 
the first settlers of this county, on the morn- 
ing of the 30th of January, 1855. The at- 
mosphere was cold and filled with frost, 
though the sky was cloudless. 

They left Mantorville, after loading on 
what hay they could take with them, bear- 
ing south of west until they struck the south 
tier of sections in townshi]) 10(3, and then 
kept due west, guided by the section posts 
set the fall before, by the United States 
surveyors. About noon they came near los 
ing one of their teams in a deep narrow 
creek, but finally succeeded in crossing 
without serious damage. About sunset, they 
arrived at a small grov'^e of burr oaks, near 
the source of one branch of the Zumbro 
Eiver, where they concluded to camp. The 
oxen were soon unyoked and fed, a large 



camp-fire built, supper prepared and con- 
sumed, stories told and songs sung. The 
evening was very pleasant, with a slight 
breeze from the west. 

About 9 o'clock they spread their hay 
beds upon the snow, under the wagons, and 
laid themselves down for the night, covei'ing 
themselves, head and ears, with quilts and 
blankets. They slept soundly until 3 o'clock 
the next morning, when all hands were 
aroused by the cr}^ of "fire!" coming from 
Mr. Sutlief, who had been " warmed out." 
Upon awakening, it was ascertained that 
the wind had changed during the night, 
blowing bi'iskly from the south, and had 
thrown the fire upon Mr. Sutlief s bed. It 
took some time to extinguish the fire in the 
bed clothing, and when that was accom- 
plished, and they had fairly recovered from 
the excitement, it was discovered that their 
cattle had left them, taking the back track 
to the settlement. Two of the men started 
in pursuit with furious feelings and at a furi- 
ous rate of foot speed. The cattle were 
overtaken about five miles from camp, and 
ordered back in the forcible language pecul- 
iar to the ox-teamster of the west. They 
i-eturned to camp half an hour before day- 
light, partook of a hearty breakfast with the 
rest of the company, and just as the sun 
made its appearance, all hands started in a 
due westerly course. 

The day was intensely cold, and it required 
considerable activity to keep from freezing. 
There was a hard crust on the snow, which 
imi^eded progress and cut the cattle's legs 
so badly tliat blood was left in their tracks. 
Several deep snow drifts were encountered 
during the da}\ That night they encamped 
in a thicket of hazel brush and poj)lar trees, 
with some oaks, about six or eight miles 
south of what is now Owatonna. This was 
a splendid place. The brush and trees 
formed a thicket which was a great protec- 
tion to both man and beast. The great 
difficult}^ was want of food for the cattle. 
They had no hay except what was in the 



HISTOEY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



435 



beds, and but a small allowance of grain. 
The cattle were secured by head-ropes that 
night. 

The men cleared away the brush and 
snow, and soon made a large camp-fire, and 
Mrs. Plumraer prepared a warm supper, 
which was eaten with a relish. The mem- 
bers of the company were not quite as much 
given to songs and stories and funny jokes 
as on the previous evening. The romance 
of camping-out in winter had lost somewhat 
of its charms to them after two days' expe- 
rience. They piled high the camp-fire with 
fuel, and retired early to beds, which were 
made on the snowy ground. The wind came 
up from the northwest in the evening, and 
before morning the weather was very cold. 
Long before daylight thej^ had arisen, fed 
the cattle what hay was in the beds and 
eaten breakfast. As soon as there was day- 
light enough to enable them to keep their 
course, they renewed their journey. They 
crossed the Le Sueur River, in what is now 
the town of New Richland, with some diffi- 
culty, the banks being very steep. They 
then took for their guide a large oak tree 
standing alone on section 36, in Wilton 
Townsliip, about a mile from the Sutlief 
shanty. 

They reached Mr. Sutlief's place about 
4 o'clock p. m., where they found Mr. Bar- 
rett who had been trapping and taking care 
of Sutlief's cattle during the winter. To 
say that every member of the company was 
thankful for a safe resting-place would but 
faintly describe the feelings of the first set- 
tlers, on their arrival. 

The condition of the country at that time, 
however, was not very inviting. The prairie 
was covered with snow and ice; the trees 
looked short and scrubby ; the weather was 
severely cold ; not a postoffice nearer than 
thirty-five miles, no letters, no newspapers ; 
no houses nor barns, nor fences, nor human 
beings met the gaze in any direction. At 
that time Mr. Sutlief's shanty was the only 
human habitation between the Winnebaeo 



agency and Owatonna ; the only one within 
the present limits of "Waseca County. 

THE INDIAN MASSACRE. 
By William Brisbane. 

The following from the pen of William 
Brisbane has been published in the Waseca 
Herald., but as a picture of the exciting days 
of Indian massacre of 1862, it is needed to 
the completeness of these annals, and there- 
fore no apology is necessary for its insertion 
in this place: 

Wilton was soon to be aroused from her 
Rip Van Winkle slumber, with this differ- 
ence : that instead of waking up after the war, 
she awoke to find the nation engaged in a 
hand to hand struggle for existence. One 
day the citizens had met to bid good-by to 
a number of the boys who were starting for 
the front, some of whom never came back, 
but offered up their lives a willing sacrifice 
upon the altar of their country. The last 
wagon was barely out of sight when the 
stage from the west brought us the terrilile 
news of the Indian massacre. The people 
were so confounded that they couldn't be 
brought to realize the fact that such a bloody 
tragedy had been enacted. About mid- 
afternoon, when the excitement had some- 
what cooled, it was suddenly kindled again 
into fever heat, by the appearance of 
two men in a covered buggy, one a white 
man, the other an Indian grasping a rifle. 
The white man said they were from the 
agency and that the Winnebagoes were mak- 
ing very warlike demonstrations, and that 
they had come to solicit immediate help. 
Here then, we thought, was war at our very 
doors, and most all of our young men gone 
south. A meeting was held and volunteers 
called for. All seemed chock-full of patriot- 
ism, and spoiling for fight. It was agreed 
that the volunteers should secure what arms 
they could and meet at the Globe Hotel, at 
8 o'clock that night. On my way to Wilton, 
I called upon Peter Van Dyke, who in the 
afternoon seemed to have no other thought 



436 



HISTORY OF WASECA COTJNTY. 



but just to kill two at a blow ; but a change 
had come over his dream of military glory, 
for I found Peter in bed groaning with 
neuralgia. His wife (the better man of the 
two) shamed him and called him a coward. 
Very few came at the time appointed, and I 
began to think that neuralgia had become 
epidemical. If memory serves me right, 
three wagons started about 11 o'clock. The 
night was pitch dark, with a heavy, drizzling 
rain falling, and the roads almost impassable. 
"We had taken with us all the ammunition 
Wilton could furnish, not forgetting a little 
drop of the " craithur," but on such a night 
the supply was not equal to the demand, 
and the men began to doze, but were sud- 
denly startled into life again by the second 
wagon running into the one ahead, which 
had stopped. Upon inquiring what the mat- 
ter was, the teamster said that he had heard 
an Indian war whoop, and refused to go on. 
While deliberating upon the situation, the 
loud crowing of roosters broke the stillness 
of the scene around us. So, after a not very 
hearty laugh, we started ahead again, and 
arrived at the agency, as the day began to 
break, wearied and jaded enough. Balcombe, 
the agent, received us with apparent grati- 
tude, and thanked us for responding so 
promptly to the call for aid. A few bales of 
Indian blankets were ripped open and spread 
down as couches for us to lie upon and rest, 
but our nerves were too much excited by the 
novelty of our surroundings to get the rest 
we so much needed ; so, getting up and per- 
forming our ablutions, we thought we would 
take a stroll and reconnoiter a little ; but 
here we were met by a difficulty we were 
hardly prepared for. Col. Ide and Balcombe 
objected to our taking our guns with us, as 
it might excite the Indians, they said. I 
remarked that if the Indians had any hostile 
intentions they would be more apt to attack 
unarmed men than if they had arms in their 
hands. The Colonel didn't think that there 
was any danger. Then if there is no danger, 
I said, why are we here ? I saw I had no influ- 



ence, and finally gave in, leaving our guns 
in a room of the government store-house. 
While sauntering along, a few Indians passed 
us. One of them complimented us by 

calling us whites. He could swear 

in English, anyway. We concluded that 
things presented a rather warlike aspect, 
and that we had better go and secure our 
guns ; but to our surprise we found the door 
of the room in which we had left our guns 
locked, and nobody could tell who had the 
key. I said I would find a key, grasping a 
stick of cordwood. Just then a man by the 
name of Dyer came running with the key. 
He said that he had gone out on the prairie 
for a load of hay and taken the key with 
him. At night we were doomed to another 
surprise. The storekeeper, Jim Hubbell, 
Col. Ide and Agent Balcombe proposed divid- 
ing the men and stationing one party at 
liubbell's store and the other part}'^ at the 
government storehouse. This I strenuously 
opposed, as there were so few of us ; how- 
ever, I told Balcombe if he would assume 
the responsibilit}^ of command, I would will- 
ingly serve under him until troops arrived. 
He said he would assume no resi5onsibilit3% 
though he distributed a few flasks of powder 
amonfrst us. Here then we found no one to 

O 

act as leader, and with no plan of action, so 
that in case of an attack it would be every 
man for hiinself and the devil take the hind- 
most. It looked to me as if we were running 
with eyes open into a trap, and I began to 
wish myself well out of it. The next day 
was distribution day, but few Indians were 
around ; they were down in the woods hold- 
ing a pow-wow. The squaws came for the 
provisions and they cut a very ludicrous 
figui-e as they waddled away with a bag of 
flour and a chunk of pork strapped on their 
backs. In the afternoon the Indians came 
from the woods, dressed in aU their toggery 
and war paint. A sort of council was held ; 
the Indians formed in a circle, with the chiefs 
and interpreter in the center. The chiefs, 
according to the interpreter, complained of 



HISTORY OF WASKCA COUNTY. 



437 



unfair dealing by the agent. The scene, with 
its surroundings, was extremely picturesque. 
"While walking around in the evening along 
with a man by the name of Burgess, we saw 
two squaws leave a store carrying something 
between them. They kneeled down on the 
prairie, applying their hands in quick succes- 
sive movements to their mouths. I felt a 
curiosity to see what they were doing. I 
found them engaged in the delectable em- 
ployment of eating sugar. They motioned 
me to kneel and partake with them. I did 
so, but I believe I forgot to ask a blessing, 
my mind being too much engrossed by the 
novelty of the scene. 

The next morning dawned amid great ex- 
citement. A report had come in that the 
Indians had burned Mankato, and the stage 
being some two hours behind time gave 
color to the rejjort. John Greening started 
on horseback for Mankato to make a recon- 
naissance and report as quickly as possible. 
John started off in gallant style, an excel- 
lent caricature of Don Quixote charging 
windmills. Shortly after, became galloping- 
back shouting, " Mankato all right ; no burn, 
and stage a-coming!" A few of us promptly 
seized the stage when it drove up, and de- 
manded to be taken back to Wilton. This 
caused considerable flutter. One woman 
said that she wouldn't give that (snapping 
her fingers) for her life if we went away. 
Dyer, bare-headed and excited, came and 
told me that Balcombe wanted to see me. I 

told him to tell Balcombe to go to . 

Col. Ide said : ''You will be very sorry when 
you hear that we are all killed." " Yes," 
said I, " very." You can judge of our sur- 
prise when we came to Wilton to find Mrs. 
Balcombe and Mrs. Hubbell waiting for the 
stage. I learned long after that they had 
taken a team early in the morning and gone 
by what they call the timber road. 

As no troops had yet arrived at the 
agency, and our own homes were exposed 
to danger, a military company was formed 
called the Wilton home guards. Warren 



Smith was lieutenant, and J. E. Child drilled 
us in the manual exercise, assisted by Col. 
Ide when difficult military maneuvers were 
to be executed. I often thought that I would 
die from laughing when the Colonel was 
teaching us how to march through narrow 
defiles. We had to march almost sideways, 
which gave us such a limping kind of gait 
that a strans:er would have thought that we 
had all been wounded in battle, and crippled 
for life. We were dressed in blue jean jack- 
ets and pants. I am sure that if such a mil- 
itary company were to appear on the streets 
of Waseca to-day they would be taken for 
military cranks, or foolish school-boys play- 
ing soldier for the fun of the thing. 

THRASHING BY MOONLIGHT. 

H. P. Chamberlain relates that the first 
thrashing he had at his place took place in 
January, 1858. Machinery to do this work 
was scarce in the county and those who 
coujd not secure the services of the thrasher 
early, had to wait. One bitter cold night in 
January, when the thermometer indicated 
that it was twenty degrees below zero, the men 
who had agreed to do this work for Mr. 
Chamberlain made their appearance at his 
house and announced that they must do the 
job then and there, as they had to return to 
Wilton, where they lived, to attend a dance 
the veiy next evening. 

Reasoning or expostulation was in vain, go 
to that dance they would ; so Mr. Chamber- 
lain, making a virtue of necessity, sallied 
out and with some difficulty mustered up a 
sufficient crew, and all hands went to work. 
All night hmg they toiled in the intense 
cold, and by morning they had the job done, 
and after a warm meal went on their way 
rejoicing, and tradition tells that they 
reached Wilton that evening in good time 
to join the festive dance, the work of the 
past night not seeming to affect their iron 
frames or to detract from their enjoyment. 

BLOODY TRAGEDY. 

Anotiymovs. 

A dark and bloody tragedy stains the 



438 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



annals of the early settlement of Woodville 
Township, although tlie deed was justified 
at the time and has passed from the minds 
of all but a few of the participants therein. 
It was upon a clear, cold night in the win- 
ter of — well, never mind the year, but to be 
exact enough, say it was when Waseca 
County was in its extreme infancy. The 
snow, with fleecy mantle covered all the 
earth to the depth of a couple of feet or 
more, and the twinkling stars gleamed down 
through the frosty air upon the peaceful cabin 
of a pioneer in Woodville Township. This 
man, E. K. Carlton, with his family had re- 
tired to their couches to court the god of 
sleep, believing with the poet that 

" Night is the time to sleep, 
To draw around an aching breast 
The curtain of repose." 

Sounds proceeded from the house like the 
prolonged howls of the hungry cayote, and 
demonstrated the fact that the tired farmer 
and his sons were deeply plunged in lethean 
slumber. Suddenly a terrible outciy arose 
upon the still, midnight air, which roused the 
sleepers from their couches, and with dis- 
tended ej'es and lifting hair, they asked each 
other, "What's the matter?" The robust 
pioneer, nothing daunted, plunged out doors 
in the undress uniform in which he had 
tumbled out of bed, and waded through the 
snow toward his chicken house, whence 
there proceeded such a terrible, din, such a 
clatter and such an outcry as has seldom 
been heard before on so prolonged and ex- 
tensive a scale. Trembling with wrath, he 
quickly threw open the door and introducing 
his huge proportions, after a short chase, 
with iron hand he grasped the graceless 
intruder upon his preserves. Vengeance dire 
flashed from his eyes, 

"And shook his very soul with ire." 

Suddenl}'^ he heard the sound of footsteps 
rapidly approaching, and turning to meet his 
new antagonist, never loosening his tight hold 
upon the thief he had secured, however, he 
discovered, to his great joy that it was only 



his friend, Obediah Powell, who boarded 
with him, and who hearing the noise and ob- 
serving the 

" Confusion dire and worse confounded," 
had hastened to his assistance. No word 
was spoken, but with ruthless hands these 
sturdy pioneers, in answer to the rough 
teachings of the frontier code, proceeded to 
coolly destroy the life of the scamp whose 
strong love for the poultry of his neighbor 
had led into such fearful straits. While 
Carlton compressed his victim's frame with 
bands like those of steel, Powell calmly and 
collectedly as if he were performing a be- 
nevolent action, cut the throat of the wretch 
with the sharp knife which he carried in his 
hand. A moment after, the bleeding corpse 
dropped upon the ground, his life-blood 
crimsoning the pearly whiteness of the glis- 
tening snow. Recalled at length to himself 
by the intense cold, which penetrated the 
scanty attire in which Carlton was clad, the 
two men passed on to their house, and as a 
last "good-night" was said, one remarked, 
" That's the largest mink I ever saw." 

FIRST SAD MISFORTUNE. 

We are also indebted to J. E. Child, Esq., 
for the following account of the first sad mis- 
fortune: 

Shortly after the arrival in this county of 
the company of " first settlers," Messrs. 
Barrett, Sutlief and S. P. Child started for 
Mankato with a portion of their cattle, in 
order to have them kept there until spring, as 
provender was running short. Mr. Sutlief 
returned in a few days, leaving Child at 
Van Brunt's sawmill to get in logs for lum- 
ber. Owing to some misunderstanding, 
Child, after remaining there a few days, 
started to return to Sutlief's, intending to 
stop over night at the shanty of Mansfield 
and Callen, about four miles south of the 
Winnebago agency. On his arrival at that 
place, finding the house deserted and the door 
locked, he concluded to push on to Sutlief's 
that day. The snow was deep, especiall}^ in 
low places, often taking aman in waist deep. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



439 



During the middle of tiie day it was quite 
warm, melting the snow, some of which 
worked into his boots, making both them 
and his socks quite wet. Toward evening 
the weather became colder, and, despite all 
his efforts, his feet began to freeze soon after 
dark. There was no track or road that could 
be followed, and he was only enabled to 
keep his course by a star, which he selected 
as his guide. One can better imagine than 
describe the emotions of this boy, for he was 
scarcely more, thus toiling on amid the 
shades of night, over an uninhabited prairie, 
among wolves and otlier wild animals, 
spurred on to reach a place of shelter or to 
perish miserably of cold and fatigue. Hour 
after hour wore away, for he could travel 
but slowly ; his feet to his ankles frozen 
hard ; drowsiness came over him, and yet no 
signs of the cabin could he discover. Ex- 
hausted and discouraged, still he struggled 
on until, finally, he saw a light. It beamed 
across the snow from the window of the 
shanty he was in search of. He had passed 
it to the south, and but that fortunately the 
inmates were at work much later than usual 
that evening, the light would have been put 
out and he would not have seen the caljin, 
but would have passed on to death in the 
cold and snow. 

He reached the shanty between ten and 
eleven o'clock, more dead than alive. His 
boots and socles were frozen tight to his feet 
and ankles. Some time and much labor 
were required to remove them, but it finally 
was accomplished. Tiie sufferings he en- 
dured for many weeks cannot be described. 
No medical aid could be obtained, and the 
flesh on his feet literally rotted away, leav- 
ing the blackened bones of his toes exposed. 
Many weeks passed before lie could step on 
his feet, and it was months before he could 
walk without the aid of crutches. Most of 
the bones of his toes were taken off b^' his 
brother who used a razor for the purpose. 

In the latter part of the following April 
he was conveyed to Mankato, where surgical 



aid was obtained and more bones removed. 
In July he had so far recovered the use of 
his feet that he took the position of cook for 
the employes of the government at the 
Winnebago agency, among the Winnebago 
Indians, who had been brought to this reser- 
vation during the month of June, that year. 

THE GREAT SNOW STOEM. 

Perhaps no annals of the county of 
Waseca would be complete without some 
mention of the great snow storm of January 
7, 1873, that was totally unparalleled in this 
part of the country in the memory of the 
oldest inhabitants. To quote from the 
Waseca WeeMy News of that date : 

The morning opened comparatively pleas- 
ant, and as the day worn on, the growing 
moisture of the atmosphere caused many to 
hope that the severity of the winter had 
passed, and that we were entering upon the 
mild season known as the January thaw. In 
the afternoon, however, dark clouds gath- 
ered in the west, and about 3 o'clock the 
wind commenced blowing a gale, producing 
a rapid change in the temperature, and at 
the same time the air was filled with snow, 
which was driven with great force into every 
opening, however small, by the terrific fury 
of the howling blast. The sun soon with- 
drew his light, and soon an almost impene- 
trable darkness settled upon the earth like 
a funeral pall, bringing with it intense cold, 
made doubly so by the driving, penetrat- 
ing force of the wind. This continued with- 
out interruption througliout the night, and 
Wednesday morning opened upon us, one of 
those intensely furious days which once in a 
while visits this high northern latitude, and 
the remembrance of which is retained by the 
old settlers and constitutes the theme of 
their conversation upon each succeeding oc- 
casion. 

Tlie sun was shut out by thick clouds, and 
throughout Wednesday, Wednesday night 
and Thursday until about midnight, the 
fierce blasts of the storm king drove the 



440 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



snow in vast quantities over the whole north- 
west, making a winding sheet for the many 
men, women and children that were caught 
in its icy embrace. l\o pen can fully describe 
the terriffic death chill of the fifty-six hours 
during which this storm raged. 

Fortunately Waseca County had not a 
death to chronicle among her inhabitants, al- 
though many had narrow escapes from fol- 
lowing the hundred or more of wretched 
mortals all over this and adjoining States, 
who were forced to succumb to the grim 
king of terrors clothed in this hideous mantle 
of snow. 

One incident has come to our knowledge 
in regard to a narrow escape from death, 
and is well worth the recital. 

As has been shown above, the day was a 
pleasant one, and many people had taken ad- 
vantage of it to go to town, to go over to the 
" other place " or to visit neighbors. It so 
happened that Alfred Smith, then living on 
section 5, in Woodville Township, had gone 
over to the farm where his father had 
settled, about a mile away, with his team. 
About the time that the storm had got well 
under way, his daughter Lovica, then a girl 
of about seventeen years of age, who had 
been washing out the clothes, threw a shawl 
over her head, and taking a little brother 
with her, went out and up the road look- 
ing for her father. For part of the way the 
grove on the west side of the road shut off 
the gale, and she did not realize that the 



storm was of any unusual character. Coming 
to the end of the grove the brother ran back, 
but she pushed on, nothing daunted, think- 
ing that she must soon meet her father. But 
thinly clad, no wrap around her except a 
light cotton shawl thrown over her head and 
held together by her naked hands, she soon 
became aware that she must turn back or 
perish from the cold, for the wind that swept 
down upon her from the west was of arctic 
severity. Retracing her steps, blinded by 
the whirling, drifting snow, confused b}' the 
savage fury of the wind, she took the wrong 
road where the two crossed and wandered 
on across the bleak prairie, death staring her 
in the face. Battling bravely she pushed on, 
her limbs chilled by the cold, her form grow- 
ing faint beneath the merciless pelting of the 
storm, until she reached the grove near the 
house of Obediah Powell, where she halted 
but a moment, when knowing that it was 
death to stop, she pushed on, and spying 
a light she made her way to Mr. Powell's 
house. So confused was she, so bewildered 
by the blizzard, and unhinged by the tension 
upon her nerves, that she did not know for 
a few moments where she was nor who 
were the friends she had stumbled upon. 
Soon the genial hospitality of Mrs. Powell, 
the light and warmth of the room, restored 
her, and she was made comfortable. She 
suffered but little inconvenience ' from her 
terrible experience except a soreness, the 
flesh naving been chilled, but not frozen. 



CHAPTER V. 




COUNTY GOVEENMENT. 



HE territory now embraced in 
the county of "Waseca was at 
the time of its settlement a por- 
tion of Steele County, and so 
continued until the Legislative 
Assembly of the territory of 
Minnesota, of 1857, which passed 
an act, separating "so much of 
the county of Steele as is com- 
prised in the following bound- 
aries, to-wit : townships 105, 106, 107 and 
108 north, ranges 22, 23 and 24 west," and 
declared that such territory should be organ- 
ized and known as the county of Waseca. 
This act was approved and became a law, 
February 27, 1857, and was signed by John 
W. Furber, speaker of the house, and by 
John B. Brisbin, president of the council. 
It was also enacted that on the first Monday 
m June following, the legal voters of said 
county should hold an especial election in 
their established precincts, for the purpose of 
locating a county -seat, and for the proper elec- 
tion of oiEcers. Until that time, and for the 
purpose of organizing the county. Gov. Gor- 
man appointed the following officers to estab- 
lish the precincts, select election precincts, 
appoint judges of election and other officers 
for carrying on the machinery of county 
government : J. C. Ide, J. M. Bhvens and 
H. W. Peck, county commissioners ; Nathan- 
iel Garland, sheriff, and Tarrant Putnam, 
register of deeds. These officers were to 
hold their offices until their successors had 
been duly elected, and been qualified. They 
all entered upon the discharge of the duties 
of their office, and thus came into existence 
the county of Waseca. 



The first meeting of the county commis- 
sioners was held at the village of Wilton, 
March 16, 1857. After being duly qualified 
they elected J. C. Ide chairman, and pro- 
ceeded to business. The bonds of the reg- 
ister of deeds and sheriff being duly pre- 
sented, were approved, and a seal was 
adopted for temporary purposes, which con- 
sisted of a circle of yellow paper with the 
name of the count}' printed thereon. W. S. 
Baker was, by them, appointed treasurer of 
the county, and filing his official bond, on 
its approval at once entered upon the duties 
of his office. The commissioners then pro- 
ceeded to form the election precincts, accord- 
ing to law, and to appoint the necessary offi- 
cers. 

The first precinct was called Svvaversey, 
and embraced all of township 108 north, 
range 22 west, and the north half of township 
107 north, range 22 west. The election was 
ordered to be held at the house of Ole Knutsen, 
and Lewis McKune, Patrick Ilealey and Ole 
Knutsen were appointed judges. Until said 
election the commissioners appointed W. H. 
Young and Lewis Mclvune as justices of the 
peace ; Clark Wood and S. F. Wyman, con- 
stables for this precinct. 

The second precinct was called Empire, 
and embraced all of townships 108 noith, 
ranges 23 and 24 west, except so much as 
was within the bounds of the Indian reserva- 
tion, and the north half of towsnhip 107, 
range 23. The election was to take place at 
the residence of John Wheeler; N. E. 
Strong, C. E. Miller and James Haynes be- 
ing appointed judges. M. S. Green was 



441 



442 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



appointed justice of the peace, and George 
L. Leonard, constable. 

Precinct No. 3 was to be called Wilton, and 
contained the sonth half of township 107, 
ranges 22 and 23, except those portions that 
were included within the reservation, and 
the north two-thirds of township 106, ranges 
22 and 23, except the Indian lands. The 
election was ordered to be held at the hotel 
of A. J. Woodbury, in the village of Wilton. 
Jesse I. Stewart, W. H. Chamberlain and E. 
A. Kice were appointed judges. George W. 
Tremper was made constable in and for this 
precinct. 

Otisco precinct, for so the fourth was 
named, consisted of all of township 105, 
ranges 22, 23 and 24, and the south one-third 
of township 106, ranges 22 and 23. Election 
polls were to be set up at the house of Silas 
Grover, Ebenezer B. Stearns, Calvin Chap- 
man and Daniel Grover being appointed 
judges. 

At this meeting the commissioners ap- 
pointed James Haynes, county coroner, and 
H. W. Peck, county surveyor, and as Mr. 
Peck resigned his position as one of the com- 
missioners to accept this office, the proper 
officers were called upon to fill the vacancy. 

On the 21st of March, this same year, a 
meeting was held by N. G. Garland, sheriff, 
Tarrant Putnam, register of deeds, and W. 
S. Baker, treasurer, who duly appointed 
David Smith, of Empire, to fill the vacant 
commissionership. 

N. N. Norcutt, James E. Child and E. B. 
Stearns were appointed the assessors. 

The second meeting of the commissioners 
was held at the same place April 6, 1857, at 
which time Benjamin Northrup and Silas 
Grover were appointed judges of election in 
Otisco precinct in place of Calvin Chapman 
and Daniel Grover. John Bradish was ap- 
pointed county attorney, and a number of 
school districts organized. Other business 
of the county, such as road matters, etc., was 
ti'ansacted. Henry Thiving, of Empire, 



and John J. Greening, of Wilton, were ap- 
pointed constables. 

The third meeting of the commissioners 
was convened on the 4th of May, 1857, and 
organized a fifth election precinct embracing 
all the territory in Waseca County lying 
west of Lake Elysian, which was to be 
known by the name of Elysian. J. C. York, 
C. M. Barnard and Abram Jaqua were ap- 
pointed judges of the election, which was to 
to be held at the house of E. H. Loomis. J. 
M. Stoddard was appointed justice of the 
peace ; Abram Jaqua, constable, and J. 
C. York, road supervisor. The commis- 
sioners also made the following apjioint- 
ments for Swavesey precinct ; Asa Conner, 
justice of the peace ; S. F. Wyman, consta- 
ble, and Ezra South worth, road supervisor. 
It was ordered that the register of deeds be 
instructed to transcribe from the records of 
the county of Steele as much of them as re- 
lated to the land embraced within the limits 
of the new county of Waseca. 

The fourth meeting of the commissioners 
was held on the 2d of June, and nothing 
seems to have been transacted l)ut the busi- 
ness of auditing the accounts of the county 
officers, which amounted to $92.80. 

An account of the election which located 
the county seat, is given under its proper 
head in the chapter relating to the political 
matters of this county, in this volume. 

The board of commissioners that held 
their meeting on the 6th of July, 1857, was 
composed of the newly elected members : 
E. B. Stearns, of Otisco ; L. C. Wood, of 
Swaversey, and David Smith, of Empire. 
After being duly qualified and taking their 
seats, they elected David Smith as chairman. 
The official bonds of J. W. Crawford, regis- 
ter of deeds, and Nathaniel Garland, sheriff, 
were then presented and approved. The 
following named men then presented road 
petitions : C. L. Lovell, Alonzo Heath, J. A. 
Canfield and John McKune. 

The sixth session of the board was held 
August 10, 1857, and the bond of H. W. 



HISTOEY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



443 



Peck, the newly elected county surveyor, 
having been presented, was approved. The 
regular routine business was then transacted. 

The seventh session convened a short time 
later. A sixth election precinct was organ- 
ized, and called Vivian. 

At the ninth meeting there was no busi- 
ness of any special importance transacted. 

The stringency of the money market all 
over our country during the dark days of 
1857, was felt very severely in these new set- 
tlements, and this is best shown by the fol- 
lowing record : 

" At a special meeting held October 20, 
1857, the board borrowed of Byron L. Clark 
the sum of $100, for which a joint note 
signed by E. B. Stearns and L. C. Wood was 
given, paj'able one year from date thereof, 
with interest at the rate of 6 per cent, jjer 
month." 

Tenth meeting was a special one, held 
November 11. Two hundred dollars was 
borrowed of George Snyder for county ex- 
penses, for which E. B. Stearns and L. C. 
"Wood gave their joint note, payable fifteen 
months from date, with interest at the rate 
of 5 per cent, per month. 

November 16, at the eleventh meeting, 
there were present E. B. Stearns and L. C. 
Wood. The following appears upon the 
record : 

" The treasurer being absent, the funds in 
the hands of the commissioners were appro- 
priated by them to pay the most urgent bills 
against the county. The following named 
individuals received the amounts set against 
their respective names, for services rendered, 
as per bills and receipts filed with the clerk : 

L. C. Lowell I 5 00 

E. A. Rice 51 85 

N. Garland 120 70 

J. W. Crawford 29 00 

Total $206 55 

The new board of county commissioners 
who met for the first time, January 4, 1858, 
consisted of the following named : E. B. 
Stearns, L. C. Wood and John Bailey. Mr. 



Stearns was elected chairman for the ensu- 
ing year. The bonds of the new officers 
were presented and approved. By a finan- 
cial statement presented to this board, it 
was shown that the indebtedness of the 
county amounted to $1,258.52. 

The fourteenth meeting of the board of 
county commissioners was convened at Wil- 
ton, April 5, 1858. At this session of the 
board the following towns were organized : 
Township 108, range 24, to be known by the 
name of Okaman. Two polling places were 
appointed, one at Olvaman, at the house of 
A. Tuttle, where Alexander Johnson, C. H. 
Bishop and W. N. Buckhout were to pre- 
side as judges ; and at Janesville, at the 
house of Caesar De Eegan, the judges of 
election in this latter place being K. Brown, 
John Cunningham and C. De Eegan. 

Township 108, range 23, was named Tosco. 
The place of holding elections was appointed 
at the house of Daniel Tripp. H. W. Peck, 
G. L. Leonard and David Smith were ap- 
pointed judges of election. 

Township 108, range 22, was set off and 
called Blooming Grove. The polling place 
was to be at the residence of Patrick Healey ; 
James Isaac, P. Healey and J. M. Bliven 
being named judges of election. 

Township 107, range 22 was henceforth to 
be known as Woodville ; the place of elec- 
tion was designated as at the house of E. G. 
Wood; J. K. Meyers, William M. Green 
and E. G. Wood being appointed judges. 

Township 107, range 23 was to be known 
as St. Mary. The polling place was fixed at 
the tavern of J. W. Clark ; B. M. Morrill, 
Warren Smith and A. W. Chamberlain were 
designated as judges of election. 

Township 106, range 23 was named Wil- 
ton, with the polling place located at the 
Washington House, and I. C. Price, L. Cur- 
tis and J. C. Ide appointed judges. 

Township 106, range 22 was to be known 
by the name of Otisco. The place of hold- 
ing elections was located at the house of 
Owen Salisbury. H. G. Mosher, S. S. Griggs 



444 



HISTORY OP WASECA COtlNTT. 



and Owen Salisbury were named judges of 
election. All of township 105, range 22, 
and the east half of township 105, range 23, 
were joined to Otisco for voting purposes. 

Township 105, range 24, was named Viv- 
ian, and the place of election located at the 
house of J. B. Hill. Mr. Hill was "appointed 
one of the judges of election, the other 
names are not recorded. For voting pur- 
poses, the west half of township 105, range 
23, was attached to Vivian. 

At the fifteenth meeting of the board, 
held on the ITtli of May, 1858, a petition 
was presented, asking that the name of the 
town of Okaman be changed to that of 
Janesville, which was granted. 

The first Legislative Assembly of the 
State of Minnesota having, by an act, sub- 
stituted the system of county supervisors for 
that of commissioners, this change was made 
in the county of Waseca in the fall of 1858, 
and the first meeting of the new board of 
county supervisors was convened on the 14th 
of September of that year, at Wilton. It 
consisted of the following named : W. W. 
Robinson, E. B. Stearns, C. W. Johnston, N. 
E. Strong, J. W. Davis, Philo Woodruff, and 
Obediah Powell. The meeting having been 
called to order, elected E. B. Stearns chair- 
man for the ensuing year. An act of the 
Legislature having authorized the boards of 
supervisors to borrow money and give the 
bonds of the county therefor, it was oi'dered 
that the county of Waseca issue its bonds 
for $3,000 to be made payable March 1, 1862, 
and to draw interest at the rate of 15 per 
cent per annum, and payable annually. 
The said bonds to be in the dimensions of 
$50 and $100. These bonds were to be 
printed, and signed by the chairman of the 
board, and countersigned by the county 
auditor, with the seal of the count}^ and 
approved by the county treasurer. William 
W. Robinson and E. N. Rice were appointed 
a committee to have the bonds printed and 
negotiate the sale of them, provided that the 
said bonds should not be sold for less than 



ninety cents on the dollar. It was further 
ordered that the amount of the county bonds 
be increased $500 more than was first or- 
dered. The parties appointed to negotiate 
the sale of the bonds were required to give 
approved bonds in the sum of $5,000 each, 
and to file the same with the county treas- 
urer. 

The second meeting of the board was con- 
vened Monday, November 1, 1858. At this 
session it was ordered that township 105, 
range 22, be organized and that it be named 
Norway, and that township 105, range 23, be 
organized and the name Byron to be borne 
thereby. E. B. Stearns, W. W. Robinson 
and Philo Woodruff were appointed a com- 
mittee to select a site for and contract with 
some responsible party or parties for the 
erection of a county jail ; provided that it 
would be found that the board were author- 
ized by law so to do. The said jail was not 
to exceed $700 in cost, and was to be com- 
pleted by September 1, 1859. If on consul- 
tation with the proper authorities it was 
found that the board could build the said jail, 
the expense of building it was to be defrayed 
partly by the issuance of county bonds to 
the extent of $500, to be made payable in 
not less than two years, or more than five, 
from the 1st of February, 1860. 

Monday, December 20, 1858, the board 
met for the third time. At this session it 
was ordered that the order in regard to the 
bonds of the county, passed at the Septem- 
ber term be changed, so as to read as fol- 
lows : " That the dimensions of the said 
bonds be issued in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 ; 
and that $5,000 of said bonds be printed in 
$50 and $100 dimensions and the balance in 
$5, $10 and $20." 

It was also decreed that the county treas- 
urer procure the government survey plats 
from the land office, and he was directed to 
pay the price asked for them, out of any 
money in his hands not otherwise appropri- 
ated. 

At a meeting of the board, held on the 




Lewis M? Kune. 

(decbascd) 



HISTORY OF WASECA OOUNTY. 



447 



26th of February, 1859, E. B. Stearns and E. 
A. Rice were appointed a committee to rent 
rooms for the accommodation of the county 
oiRcers for the ensuing year. 

The board of supervisors for the j^ear 1859, 
met, for the first time, on the 24th of May. 
It consisted of the following named : Philo 
Woodruff, of Blooming Grove ; James Bar- 
rie, of St. Mary ; O. Powell, of Woodville ; 
G. W. Ayers, of Byron ; J. W. La Paul, of 
Janesville; John Thompson, of Richland, 
(late Norway); II. G. Mosher, of Otisco ; M. 
S. Gove, of Wilton; H. D. Baldwin, of 
Iosco, and T. West, of Vivian. On taking 
their seats, the board proceeded to the elec- 
tion of a chairman, which resulted in the 
choice of M. S. Gove. Most of the transac- 
tions at this term were of a routine charac- 
ter, of which none are worthy of interest. 
At the term commencing September 13, it 
was ordered that the proper officers be in- 
structed to pay the two notes held by George 
Snyder, " with county bonds, of ninety cents 
on the dollar ; interest on the notes to be 5 
per cent per month." Otlier bills were also 
ordered to be paid in the same way. At the 
session held October 12, M. S. Gove, II. G. 
Mosher and J. W. La Paul were appointed a 
committee to purchase the store building 
owned by Thos. L. Paige, in the village of 
Wilton, for a court house with the certifi- 
cates of tax sales of lands sold in 1858, and 
bid in bj^ the county. The amount of said 
purchase was not to exceed $700. The reg- 
ister of deeds was ordered to make the 
proper assignments of such certificates, on 
the order of the said committee. The build- 
ing was purchased for the amount named, 
and was used as a courthouse until destroyed 
by fire in 1869. 

On the 11th of January, 1860, the board 
met in regular session, with Philo Woodruff 
as chairman ^??'o tern. W. W. Cowles ap- 
peared and was admitted to a seat to fill the 
vacancy caused by the removal of J. W. La 
Paul ; John R. Wood was admitted to fill 
the place of II. D. Baldwin, also removed 

26 



from the town of Iosco. At this session the 
office of county treasurer was declared va- 
cant, Jesse I. Stewart, the occupant of that 
office, havmg been elected member of the 
State Legislature. J. S. Rice was appointed 
to fill the vacancy. At the March session it 
was ordered that the sheriff be instructed to 
build a jail in the rear of the courthouse; to 
be at least 16x18 feet in size, one story high; 
to be built of lumber, lined with sheet iron, 
and the sum of $300, in tax certificates of 
1858, was ap])ropriated for the purpose. A 
license was granted Hall & Johnson, of 
Wilton, for the sale of strong and spirituous 
liquors and wines, to be drank in the Wilton 
House; this license was given for one year, 
from March 21, 1860. A license was also 
granted for the same purpose to G. H. 
Woodbury, the business to be carried on at 
the Washington House in the same village. 
These licenses were each for $50. 

The Legislative Assembly in 1859-60 hav- 
ing repealed the law in regard to county 
government, and restored the system of com- 
missioners, the new board met for the first 
time April 26, 1860. W. T. Kittredge, 
George H. Bishop and Jolni Powers were 
the gentlemen intrusted with the control of 
county affairs. On taking their seats they 
elected W. T. Kittredge chairman for the 
ensuing year. At the June session the board 
divided the county into commissioner's 
districts, for election and other purposes as 
follows : 

District No. 1, to consist of the towns of 
Janesville, Iosco and Blooming Grove, with 
239 legal voters. District ISTo. 2, to consist 
of the towns of St. Mary, Woodville and 
Otisco, with 182 legal voters. District No. 
3, of the towns of Richland, Byron and 
Vivian, witli 192 legal voters. It was also 
ordered that H. P. Powers, the deputy coun- 
ty surveyor, be emploj^ed to construct a 
proper map of the county, the cost of such 
labor not to exceed $75, which amount was 
appropriated for that purpose. In Septem- 
ber, John Powers resigning his position as 



448 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtJNTT. 



county commissioner, was succeeded by D. 
L. Whipple. M. S. Green also resigned the 
office of county attorne}-, the board appoint- 
ing.H. D. Baldwin to fill the vacancy for the 
unexpired term, with the salary of |12 per 
month. 

The board for the year 1861 consisted of 
B. A. Lowell, P. Healey and Isaac Hamlin. 
But little of general interest is to be found 
in the transactions of this board. 

The boai'd of commissioners for the year 
1862 composed the following named : B. A. 
Lowell, J. G. Honor and J. B. Jackson. On 
oreanization Mr. Lowell was elected to the 
chair. 

In 1863 the board was made up as fol- 
lows : B. A. Lowell, chairman , J. B. Jack- 
son and John G. Honor. 

The board of county commissioners for 
the year 1864 embraced the following gen- 
tlemen: J. B. Jackson, J. S. G. Honor and 
"W. G. Kennedy, Mr. Jackson in the chair. 
At a meeting held March 8, E. S. Smith was 
appointed county superintendent of schools 
for the year, with the salary of $100 per an- 
num. At the same session it was ordered 
that townships 106 and^ 107, range 24, be 
organized as one civil town, and that at the 
first election held therein, a name should be 
adopted to hold until such time as it was 
found necessary to se})arate the two town- 
ships, and that when such separate organiza- 
tion took place, township 106 should retain 
the old name. 

In 1865 W. G. Kennedy, chairman, C. S. 
Luce and John S. McKune constituted the 
board. 

In 1866 it embraced the same gentlemen, 
with Mr. Kennedy still in the chair. 

Nor \vas there much change in 1867, 
James Isaac taking the place of W. G. Ken- 
nedy on the board. C. S. Luce was chair- 
man this year. 

In 1868 James Isaac, R. F. Stevens and 
J. S. McKune made up the board for a time, 
but at a meeting held on the 22d of April, 
James Isaac handed in his resignation, as he 



was about to remove from the district which 
he represented, which was accepted, and S. 
S. Phelps appointed to fill the vacanc}'. 
While Mr. Isaac was a member of the 
board he acted as chairman, he having been 
elected thereto, but on his retirement R. F. 
Stevens was chosen his successor. 

The board for the year 1869 consisted of 
the following named: R. F. Stevens, J. S. 
McKune, William Byron, Robert Earl and 
John Buckhout, Mr. Stevens being chair- 
man. At a special meeting held April 12, 
it was announced that as the courthouse had 
been destro3'ed by fire, it was necessary to 
make some provision for the county offices. 
Therefore some proceedings in the matter 
were had, but as this is mentioned at length 
elsewhere in regard to the county-seat con- 
test, it is omitted here. 

The gentlemen comprising the board dur- 
ing the year 1870, were AVilliam Byron, 
Robert Earle, O. Powell, John Buckhout 
and R. F. Stevens, the latter being chair- 
man. On the 10th of September this board 
met in session at Wilton for the last time, 
antl on the 17th of November held court at 
the new courthouse at Waseca, the latter 
place having been made the seat of county 
government. 

The board in 1871 consisted of Robert 
Earl, O. Powell, William Byron, AVilliam 
Lee and II. G. Mosher. Mr. Powell was 
duly elected chairman for the year. 

In 1872 the board of commissioners con- 
tained the following named gentlemen : O. 
PoweU, H. G. Mosher, William Byron, Wil- 
liam Lee and S. K. Odell. Obediah Powell 
was chairman. 

In the beginning of the year 1873 the 
board was constituted the same as the last 
year, but at a meeting held July 15, R. F. 
Stevens was appointed to fill the place lately 
occupied by H. G. Mosher. 

O. Powell, William Byron, II. K. Stearns, 
R. O. Craig and S. K. Odell, made up the 
board for the year 1874. William Byron 
was the chairman. 



HISTOEY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



449 



At the first meeting of the board for 1875, 
held on the 5th of January, H. K. Stearns, 
E. O. Ci-aig, William Burke and C. II. New- 
ell appeared and took their seats, and it ap- 
pearing that O. Powell had resigned his 
place on the board, William C. Young was 
app ointed to till the vacancy. 

The board for 1876 emljraced the follow- 
ing named : H. K. Stearns, C. II. Newell, 
William Burke, H. Vincent and R. O. Craig, 
the last named being chairman. 

In 1877 it was the same, except that H. 
Vincent filled the chair. 

In January, 1878, met the new board for 
that year. It was composed of the following 
named : H. Vincent, R. O. Craig, William 
Burke, H. K. Stearns and John Brady. On 
due organization, R. 0. Craig was elected 
chairman. The auditor was instructed at 
this session to obtain sealed bids for the 
erection of a county jail, at the county-seat. 
At the March term the bids were presented, 
and that of W. B. Craig & Co., for $9,334, 
having been a^djudged the lowest, the con- 
tract was let to them, with the understand- 
ing that the edifice should be completed on 
or before the first day of October following. 

The board for 1879 was R. O. Craig, chair- 
man, H. K. Stearns, John Bradj% Thomas 
K. Bowe and William Burke. 

In 1880 it was composed as follows : Will- 



iam Burke, chairman, Thomas K. Bowe, 
John Brady, Philip Purcell and N. M. Nel- 
son. 

Philip Purcell, chairman, Thomas K. 
Bowe, N. M. Nelson, W. D. Armstrong and 
A. J. Jordan, constituted the board of com- 
missioners in 1881. 

The board for 1882, now increased to six 
members, consisted of Philip Purcell, chair- 
man, G. W. Soule, N. M. Nelson, A. J. Jor- 
dan, W. D. Armstrong and Ira C. Trow- 
bridge. 

In 1883 the board was composed the same 
as the previous \'ear. 

The board for the year 1884 was com- 
posed as follows : Philip Purcell, N. M. Nel- 
son, A. J. Jordan, G. W. Soule, M. F. Con- 
nor and I. C. Trowbridge. Mr. Purcell was 
chairman. 

The board in 1885 consisted of Philip Pur- 
cell, N. M. Nelson, A. J. Jordan, M. F. Con- 
nor, M. Craven, Austin Vinton. Mr. Purcell 
was again chosen to fill the chair. 

In 1886 the board was the same as last 
year, with the same chairman. 

The present board is composed of the fol- 
lowing named gentlemen : Austin Vinton, 
Philip Purcell, Jonas B. Sunde, James Con- 
way, Charles Deyling and Oliver Peterson. 
Mr. Purcell is still chairman. 



CHAPTER VI. 




POLITICAL. 



is something fascinating 



HERE 

about an election in a country 
where the will of the people is 
the supreme law of the land ; 
where all are equal in the eyes of 
that law, and where the most 
lowly, be he rail-splitter, tanner 
or driver of the team that hauls 
the canal boat, may aspire to the 
highest office. Merit, and that alone, must 
win. Many of our ablest men in the halls of 
Congress, on the bench or elsewhere, are 
bright and living examples of it, and hold 
out briglit beacons to guide the rising gener- 
ation to fortune and fame. The policy of 
our nation justly encourages ))olitical ambi- 
tion and fosters its children in their attempt 
to scale the ladder of preference. Nearly 
every man has some aspirations to a higher 
position, and each feels that if he does not 
reach its highest pinnacles, his children may. 
It is for this reason that a political cam- 
paign yields an excitement pleasurable to 
nearly all, and although jJersonalities are in- 
dulged in. yet, as a general thing, all yield 
gracefully to the verdict of the people when 
it is pronounced, by the majority vote, and 
submit quietly. In tJiis ciuipter it is pro- 
posed to sketch a synopsis of the issues as 
far as possible, and the local complexion of 
the various campaigns since the organization 
of the county. 

Waseca came into existence as a separate 
county in 1857, as has already been stated. 
The first election in Waseca County was 
the special one for perfecting the organiza- 
tion of the same and the selection of a 
county-seat, and was held on the first Mon- 
day in June, 1857. The vital issue of the 



campaign was the question of county -seat, 
and this seemed to swallow up every other 
consideration. Wilton, St. Mary and Em- 
pire each aspired to be the seat of county 
government, and each had its partisans. 
Men fi'om other parts of the territory came 
here just before election, to become citizens 
of one of the three rival towns, and money 
and promises were lavishly expended by the 
champions of each to carry their point. The 
county gained rapidly in population, to lose 
it again after election, but for the time ex- 
citement ran riot. Speculation was rife and 
towns on paper sprang into existence full 
fledged. Had the fate of the nation hung 
upon the result of an election, the feeling 
could not iiave reached a more feverish state. 
But the appointed day came round, and the 
friends of Wilton being the most numerous, 
carried their point, and thus that town be- 
came the seat of government for Waseca 
County. The following is an abstract of the 
vote : Whole number of votes cast, fi65, of 
which Wilton received 332, St. Mary 207, 
and Empire 126. Elysian cast 29 votes; 23 
for Wilton, i for St. Mary and 2 for Empire. 
Empire in a total vote of 160, polled 11 for 
Wilton, 49 for St. Mary and 100 for Empire. 
Swaversey had 107 votes, of which Wilton 
received 51, St. Mary 33 and Empire 23. 
Wilton polled 309 votes, 189 of them for 
Wilton, 119 for St. Mary and one for Empire. 
In Otisco Wilton liad 58 votes and St. 
Mary 2. 

In the fall campaign of 1857 considerable 
excitement was displayed over the choice of 
county officers. Both Republican and Dem- 
ocratic parties worked hard for the ascend- 
ency in the new county. The Democrats 



450 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



451 



elected E. A. Rice register of deeds, and H. 
P. Norton, clerk of the courts; the Repub- 
licans E. B. Stearns, L. C. Wood and John 
Bailey, county commissioners ; N. Garland, 
sheriff ; A. E. Smith, surveyor ; Jesse I. 
Stewart, treasurer; James E. Child, county 
attorney ; J. A. Canfield, judge of probate, 
and W. S. Baker, assessor. Neither party 
had a very large majority. 

In 1858 the election had but local feat- 
ures, and but little interest seems to have 
been found outside of the particular friends 
of the candidates, and strong party adher- 
ents. 

The election which was held in October, 
1859, was one of intense excitement. The 
question of Ijond and anti-bond disturbed 
the current of political strife, and bade fair 
to break up both great parties. The State 
Republican Convention nominated Alexan- 
der Ramsey for governor, and the Demo- 
cratic party was headed by George L. 
Becker, candidate for the same office. The 
Republicans succeeded in carrying the State 
by a small majority. 

In this, as in nearly all cases for many 
years, the Republicans were in the majority 
in this county, but in many cases the 
county offices were given to the best men ir- 
respective of party; that is, although both 
parties had tickets in the field, only the bet- 
ter part of each Avere chosen, none being tied 
to party. 

The questions which were the forerunners 
of the great campaign of 1860 were such as 
have never stiri'ed the popular heart before. 
Ever since the repeal of the Missouri com- 
promise the conflict in Kansas had roused all 
the feelings of the Northern people, and John 
Brown, in his futile attempt at Harper's 
Ferry, had skillfully enlisted Northern S3'm- 
pathy, and roused the anger of the South. A 
large part of the population of the northern 
States were sternly determined that the ter- 
ritories should never be defiled with the 
curse of slavery, and that the boundaries of 
that " peculiar institution" should not be ex- 



tended any further. On the other hand, the 
South, seeking to perpetuate their institution 
and enlarge their political power, determined 
that they should have their share of the ter- 
ritories in which to extend, not to restrict, 
themselves. The questions dividing parties 
were chiefly sectional, and pointed directly 
to war. The Republican party met in na- 
tional convention, at Chicago, to place m the 
field candidates for the offices of President 
and Vice-President. The names of Seward, 
Chase, Blair and Lincoln were in the mouths 
of all, for the first place. But three ballots 
were taken. On the last Abraham Lincoln, 
having received a majority of all votes cast, 
was made the unanimous choice of the con- 
vention. Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, was 
nominated for the second place on the ticket. 

The Democratic National Convention met 
at Charleston, S. C, April 23, 1860, but the 
claims of Stephen A. Douglas and his north- 
ern partisans being stoutly contested by the 
southern faction of the party, after a ten 
days' session the convention broke up with- 
out making any choice. July 19 the con- 
vention again met, but this time at Balti- 
more, but no agreement between the factions 
could be made. After six days spent in use- 
less endeavor to heal the breach, Stephen A. 
Douglas and Herschel V. Johnson, of Geor- 
gia, were chosen standard-bearers in the 
approaching conflict. 

That portion of this convention which had 
not concurred in this choice had seceded, 
and holding a convention of their own, nom- 
inated John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, 
and Joseph Lane, of Oregon, for the offices 
of President and Vice-President, respectively. 

A union conservative convention was also 
held, at which John Bell, of Tennessee, was 
nominated for the presidency, and Edward 
Everett, of Massachusetts, for the vice-presi- 
dency. 

With four presidential candidates in the 
field, the exciting questions growing out of 
slavery, and the threats of secession made 
by the South, in the event of Lincoln's elec- 



452 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



tion, tended to make the campaign one of 
intense excitement. Large and enthusiastic 
meetings were held in all the cities and 
towns of our wide-spread land, and small 
indeed was the village which did not have 
its share in the enthusiasm. The people of 
Minnesota, having no gubernatorial candi- 
dates in the field, calmly walked to the polls 
and gave a majority for the Republican 
nominee. In Waseca County the Republicans 
elected their whole ticket, including State 
senator, representatives, auditor, attorney, 
court commissioner, etc. 

1861 brought with it another contest for 
the governorship which resulted in the re- 
election of Alexander Ramsey, the Republi- 
can candidate for that office. In this count}'^ 
the regular nominees of the Republican 
party captured all the offices, altiiough a 
determined effort was made to defeat the 
candidate for reo:ister of deeds. 



In 



1863 another gubernatorial contest 



was, as usual, decided in favor of the Repub- 
licans. In the county H. P. Norton, Demo- 
cratic nominee for the office of register of 
deeds was elected by a majority of but seven, 
the only one on that ticket. 

In 1864 and 1865, tlie election was simply 
a repetition of those going before, the Re- 
])ublicans carrying nearly everything before 
them with larger or smaller majorities. 

In 1866 the Democrats succeeded by a 
hard effort in electing one candidate, William 
Brisbane, to the Legislature by a majority of 
but five, although that gentleman ran about 
fift}'^ ahead of his ticket. 

1867 was but a repetition of the foregoing- 
years and without much interest. 

The year 1868 brought with it another 
presidential campaign. The Republican 
National Convention met in Chicago and 
placed in nomination Ulysses S. Grant and 
Schuyler Colfax for President and Vice- 
President. The Democrats placed in nomi- 
nation, Horatio Seymour and Francis P. 
Blair Jr., for the same offices. The finan- 
cial question began to be a leading issue, 



especially with reference to the payment 
of tiie bonds, the Republicans favoring 
their being redeemed in gold, the Democrats 
in greenbacks. In Waseca County excitement 
ran high, as several local questions were 
to be solved; member of Congress, State 
Senator, member of Legislature, besides 
county officers were to be chosen. After a 
hard conflict the Republicans carried their 
point on all questions except on several of the 
commissoiners. 

The year 1869 was another gubernatorial 
election, which was carried by the Republi- 
cans. In this county that party had a ma- 
jority ranging from lOd to 150 on the State 
ticket. On the county ticket they swept 
the field. 

In 1870 party lines seemed to have been 
badly broken up, C. F. Buck, the Democratic 
nominee for member of Congress, receiving 
a majority in Waseca County of 63, while 
on State senator the Republican nominee 
had a majority of 402. The Democrats 
captured the offices of member of Legislature, 
county auditor and court commissioner. 

In 1871 party spirit again ran high, the 
Republicans of the State nominating Horace 
Austin for governor, and the Democrats, 
Winthrop Young. In Waseca County a full 
ticket was placed in the field, and after the 
contest it was found that although the Re- 
pul)licans carried most of the offices, still 
the vote showed some demoralization in that 
party. 

In 1872, being again a presidential cam- 
paign, considerable excitement was infused 
into politics. At the election on the 5th of 
November, U. S. Grant received a majority 
of 274 votes in the count\'. The Republi- 
cans elected two members of the Legislature, 
but the Democrats captured the offices of 
State senator and county auditor. 

In 1873 the Republicans seemed to make 
a rally and succeeded in electing nearly all 
their candidates, Peter McGovern, the Demo- 
cratic nominee for county attorney, taking 



HISTORY OF WASP;CA COUNTY. 



453 



that office bj' storm, having 898 votes to his 
opponent's 502. 

The election of 1874 was a surprise to 
most people, the Democrats of Waseca 
County taking the offices of county auditor. 
State senator and one representative for 
their share. 

With the election of 1875 a new party 
came upon the stage of action, and became 
quite a factor in the politics of this county ; 
this was the Prohibition, or people's reform 
party. This had a large following in Waseca 
County, and this campaign, being a guber- 
natorial one, was quite an animated one. 
The Republicans managed to carry the 
county on State ticket by very small plurali- 
ties, that of governor being but one, and all 
less than a hundred. On the county ticket 
Kelsey Curtis, being endorsed by the new 
party and the Democrats, was elected with 
Robert Earl, a Republican, to the Legislature. 
Warren Smith, the candidate of the Republi- 
cans and Reform party for county treasurer, 
was also elected. The Republicans carried 
all the other offices except that of clerk of 
the court. 

The year 1876 was again that of a presi- 
dential campaign. The Republicans, on na- 
tional and State questions were in the major- 
ity, but the Democratic nominees for the 
offices of auditor and court commissioner and 
one representative, were successful. 

In 1877 four parties were in the field, 
Republican, Democratic, Prohibition and 
Greenback. James E. Child was this year 
the candidate for attorney general on the 
reform ticket. The Democratic party came 
to the front and elected their nominees to 
the office of members of the Legislature, 
county attorney, sheriff and coroner, besides 
giving a handsome majority for the State 
ticket. 

The Republicans of Waseca County re- 
gained their ascendency in the campaign of 
1878, giving small majorities on the State 
ticket. On the congressional ticket William 
Meighen, the Democratic candidate, had a 



majority in this county of 1:^7. S. B. Will- 
iams, the Prohibition candidate for State 
senator, and John S. Abell for the House of 
Representatives, were both elected. Politics 
from this time out were somewhat mixed. 
In 1879 the Democrats having a majority 
on their State ticket, elected all their candi- 
dates for county offices, by fair majorities in 
most cases. In 1880, the Repubhcans had 
large majorities in favor of all their candi- 
dates. In 1881 on State ticket they were again 
successful, but for the offices of treasurer, 
register of deeds, su])erintendent of schools 
and coroner the Democratic nominees wei-e 
successful, and thus it fluctuates from year 
to j'ear. On questions of State or national 
politics the county of Waseca has about 300 
majority on the side of the Republican pai'ty, 
but in county affairs local causes disturb the 
certainty of an election, as will be seen by a 
close perusal of the following summary of 
the official vote of the county from 1860 to 
the present. It was found impossible to 
obtain the official record of any returns prior 
to those given, and in one or two instances 
of complete ones for those of later date, al- 
though no pains have been spared to pro- 
cure them. 

OFFICIAL VOTE. 

Election, November 6, 1860. 
President. 

Abraham Lincoln, R 304—161 

Stephen A. Douglas, U. D 143 

John C. Breckenridge, S. D 

John Bell, U. C 

Member of Congress. 

William Windom, R 337—149 

Cyrus Aldrich, R 337—185 

James George, D 188 

•John M. Oilman, D 152 

Auditor of State. 

Charles Mcllrath, R 337—149 

Herman Trott, D 188 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 

A. J. Vanvorhes, R 337—149 

Jacob J. Noah, D 188 

State Senator. 

George Watson, R 299— 80 

Henry Thornton, D 319 



454 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Member House of Representatives. 

James E. Child, R 292— 62 

Geo. W. Greene, R 273— 48 

W. F. Pettitt, D 230— 5 

A. E. Smitli, D 225 

County Auditor. 

S. J. Willis, R 346—190 

Jolin Power, D 156 

County Attorney. 

H. D. Baldwin, R 335—162 

P. B. Enos, D 173 

Court Commissioner. 

W. T. Kittredge, R 231— 68 

John Bradish, D 169 

County Commissioners. 

P. Healey 57— 4 

J. B. Powers 53 

B. A. Lowell Ill— 59 

Enoch Plummer 52 

Asa Francis 38 

Isaac Hamlin 80 

William Brisbane 45 

Election, October 8, 1861. 

Governor. 

Alexander Ramsey. R 244 — 99 

E. 0. Hamlin, D 145 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Ignatius Donnelly, R 246 — 103 

Thomas Cowan, D 143 

Secretary of State. 

J. H. Baker, R 246—103 

Daniel Buck, D 143 

Treasurer of State. 
Charles SchofTer, R 246—103 

C. P. Fisher, D 143 

Attorney General. 

Gordon E. Cole, R 243— 99 

William Peckham, D 144 

State Senator. 

A. B. Webber, R 208— 25 

E. C. Stacy, D 183 

Member House of Representatives. 

P. C. Bailey, R 21.5— 84 

H. C. Magoon, R 190—112 

W. G. Mathes, D 129 

J. L Stewart, D 78 

A B. Cornell, R 69 

(bounty Treasurer. 

Geo. T. White, R 239- 64 

Patrick Kennehan, D 165 

Scattering 4 

Register of Deeds. 

Alex. Johnston, D 76 

Samuel T. Isaac, R .59 

Tarrant Putnam, R 175— 82 

John N. Powers, 1 93 



Clerk of District Court. 

H. P. West, R 228—177 

H. P. Norton, D 151 

Scattering 10 

Sheriff. 

D. L. Whipple, R 194— 79 

Isaac Ilamlin, D 115 

J. W. Clark, 1 82 

Judge of Probate. 

H. D. Baldwin, R 227—125 

P. B. Enos, D 102 

W. W. Cowles, 1 62 

County Attorney. 

H. D. Baldwin, R 228—134 

P. B. Enos, D 94 

John Bradish, D 61 

W. W. Cowles 3 

Surveyor. 

G. P. Johnson, R 212— 76 

J. B. Powers, D 62 

H. G. Mosher, R 136 

Court Commissioner. 

J. A. Canfleld, R 224— 48 

.lohn Bradish, D 176 

Coroner. 

J. H. Wightman, R 52 

Natlaaniel Wood, R 220— 92 

Peter Eckert, D 128 

County Commissioners. 

John G. Honor 92— 38 

W. G. Mathes 54 

B. A. Lowell 81— 41 

Austin Vinton 10 

William Byron 30 

J. B. Jackson 61— 8 

Nicholas McGrath 53 

John Thompson. . 21 

Scattering 4 

Election, 1863. 

Governor. 

Steplien Miller, R 292—143 

H. Wells, D 149 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Charles B. Sherwood, R 290—143 

James S. Norris, D 147 

' Secretary of State. 

David Blakeley, R 291-144 

Amos Coggswell, D 147 

Scattering 53 

Treasurer of State. 

Charles Scheffer, R 290—147 

Joseph Estebrook, D 143 

Scattering 1 

Attorney General. 

Gordon E. Cole, R 290—143 

W. H. Grant, D 147 

Auditor of State. 

Charles Mcllrath, R 290—145 

John McKenney , D 145 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



455 



Clerk of Supreme Court. 

George F. Potter, R 365—170 

Jacob Maiuser, D 95 

State Senator. 

F. J. Stevens.R 383—173 

Amos Coggswell.D 58 

Jacob Mail, 1 51 

Member of House of Representatives. 

Philo Woodruff, R 363— 11 

J. L. Gibbs, R 363— 11 

William Brisbane, D 351 

Scattering 1 

County Treasurer. 

P. C. Bailey, R 386— 53 

Enoch Plummer, D 334 

Scattering 1 

Register of Deeds. 

Tarrant Putnam, R 341 

H. P. Norton, D 267— 36 

James E. Child, R 1 

Sheriff. 

D. L. Whipple, R 368— S3 

N. McGrath, D 245 » 

Scattering 1 

Judge of Probate. 

H. D. Baldwin, R • ■ ■ • 351 

P. Brink Enos, D _. 358— 7 

County Attorney. 

James E. Child, R 355— 3 

P. Brink Enos, D 353 

Scattering 1 

Court Commissioner. 

James E. Child, R 317— 31 

John Bradish, D 166 

P. Brink Enos, D 30 

Coroner. 

W. S. Baker, R 374— 36 

Peter Eckert, D 338 

County Surveyor. 

H. G. Mosher, R 509—509 

County Commissioner. 

W.G.Kennedy 76— 7 

William Byron 69 

Election, 1866. 
Member of Congress, First District. 

William Windom, R 405—216 

Richard A. Jones, D 189 

R. A. Jones 85 

Will Windom 22 

Richard Jones 56 

Auditor of State. 

Charles Mcllrath, R 436—104 

NelseE. Nelson, D 333 

Nelse Nelson 14 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 
Sherwood Hough, R 349— 9 



Dennis Cavanaugh, D 340 

Sher. Hough 31 

Sherwood How 51 

Court Commissioner. 

James E. Child, R 417— 78 

John N. Power, D 339 

James Isaac 2 

State Senator. 

Augustus Armstrong, R 408 — 399 

Hial D. Baldwin, R 3 

William Brisbane, D 3 

H. D. Baldwin 4 

Member House of Representatives. 

Hial D. Baldwin, R 380 

William Brisbane, D 385— 5 

County Auditor. 

C. C. Comee, R 402— 37 

Samuel T. Isaac, D 365 

County Commissioners. 

Eri G. Wood 75 

E.G. Wood 73 

James Isaac 99 

Eri Wood 6 

Patrick Kenehan 62 

County Attorney. 

William T. Kittredge, R 434^ 73 

Thomas HuUand, D 3.53 

Election, 1868. 

President. 

Ulysses S. Grant, R 817—299 

Horatio Seymour, D 518 

Member of Congress. 

Morton S. Wilkinson, R 799—262 

George W. Batchelder, D 537 

State Senator. 

J. B. Crooker, R 706— 79 

M. F. Lowth, D 627 

County Commissioners. 

J. S. McKune 246—144 

E. W. Hawthorn 103 

C. P. Pratt 68 

John Buckhout 157— 39 

S. S. Phelps 78 

William Byron 138 

Robert Earl 188—108 

Asa Francis 51 

Kelsey Curtiss 80 

County Auditor. 

C. C. Comee, R 804—380 

H. G. Mosher, D : 533 

G. H. Mosher 1 

Mosher 1 

Election, 1869. 

Governor. 

Horace Austin, R 538—101 

George L. Otis, D 487 

Daniel Cobb, G. B 35 



45fi 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Lieutenant Governor. 

W. H. Yale, R 544—112 

J. A. Wiswell, D 433 

J. H,. Stevens, G. B 32 

Secretary of State. 

Hans Mattson, R 586—159 

T.J. Fladelaml, D 377 

J. E. Childs 19 

T. G. Flandrew 17 

Auditor of State. 

Charles Alcllrath, R 529— 94 

Lewis A. Evans, D 435 

J. S. Randolph, G. B 367 

Treasurer of State . 

Emil Munch, R 540—141 

Caspar Baberich, D 399 

Robert Stewart, G. B 36 

Attorney General. 

F. R. E. Cornell, R 542—108 

Seagrave Smith, R 434 

J. Hum David,son, G. B 36 

Clerk Supreme Court. 

Sherwood Hough, R 546—115 

W. T. Bouniwell, D 431 

A. P. Connelly, G. B 21 

Member House of Representatives. 

William C. Young, R 585—165 

Kelsey Courtis, D 420 

County Treasurer. 

G. R. Buckman, R 5.50— 93 

Philo Hall, D 457 

Register of Deeds. 

Hiram A. Mosher, R 609—209 

H. G. Mosher, D 400 

Sheriff. 

J. B. Hill, R 338 

Seth W. Long, D 665—337 

Scattering 1 

County Attorney. 

Lewis Brownell, R 443 

B. S. Lewis, D ,547_104 

County Surveyor. 

C. E. Crane, R. and D 978—978 

Judge of Probate. 

J. A. Canfield, R 533— 94 

John Bradish, D 439 

Coroner. 

M. S. Gove, R. and D 976—975 

Scattering 1 

County Commissioner, 1st District. 

O. Powell, R 210—126 

Peter Eckert, D. . . 84 

Election, JSfovemher <?, 1870. 
Member of Congress. 

Mark H. Dunnell, R 740 

C. F. Buck, D 803— 63 



State Senator. 

William C. Young, R 968—403 

James Jones, D 566 

Scattering 1 

Member House of Representatives. 

William Bri.sbane, D 878—233 

S. C. Dow, R 645 

County Auditor. 

Fred. Kittredge, R 596 

Edgar Cronkhite, D 920—324 

Scattering 1 

Court Commissioner. 

J. B. Smith, D 833—183 

H. P. Norton, R 650 

Scattering 6 

County Commissioners. 

J. O. Chandler 148 

William Lee 174— 26 

H. G. Mosher 145— 64 

R.F.Stevens 81 

Scattering 1 

On the Question of Removing the County Seat to 
Waseca. 

For Removal 870—315 

Against Removal 653 

Scattering 3 

Election, November 7, 1871. 

Governor. 

Horace Austin, R 839—263 

Winthrop Young, D 576 

Lieutenant Governor. 

W. H.Yale, R 814—314 

D. L. Buell, D 600 

Secretary of State. 

S. P. Jamison, R 826—337 

Erik Nelson Falk, D 589 

Treasurer of State. 

Barney Vosberg, D 597 

AVilliam Seager, R 816—319 

Attorney General. 

F. R. E. Cornell, R 814—313 

J. L. McDonald, D 601 

Justices of Supreme Court. 

S. J. R. McMillan, R 818—244 

John ]M. Berry, R 815—217 

Daniel Buck, D 574 

William Jlitchell, D 598 

Constitutional Amendment on tlie Question of Borrow- 
ing Money for the Erection of Public Buildings. 

Yes 54 

No 822—768 

Constitutional Amendment on the Question Relating to 
Taxes Upon Railroads. 

Yes 1 162— 1 142 

No 20 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



457 



Judge, 5th Judicial District. 

Samuel Lord 645 — 645 

State Senator. 

James E. Cbild, R 856— 342 

William Brisbane, D 514 

Scattering 2 

Member House of Representatives. 

John Thompson, R 850— 238 

John S. McKune, R 622 

Kelsey Curtis, D 739—160 

E. P. Latham, D 579 

County Treasurer. 

R. O, Craig, D , 697— 3 

George R. Buckman, R 694 

Scattering 1 

Register of Deeds. 

H. A. Mosher, R 789— 186 

George Hofleld, D 603 

Clerk of District Court. 

James Hayden, D 696 — 22 

S. J. Willis, R 674 

Sheriff. 

M. B. Dolson, R 511 

S. W. Long, D 878— 367 

Judge of Probate. 

J. A. Canfleld, R 742— 97 

William Huse, D 645 

County Attorney. 
Frank A. Newell, R 677 

B. S.Lewis, D 734— 47 

Coroner. 

L. D. Mcintosh, no opposition 677 — 677 

Surveyor. 

C. E. Crane, no opposition 817 — 817 

County Commissioners. 

William Byron 108— 14 

L. D. Smith 94 

S. K. Odell 124- 4 

Alex. Miller 120 

Otis Baker 6 

Election, Novemler 5, 1872. 
President. 

Ulysses S. Grant, R 933—374 

Horace Greeley, D 649 

Member of Congress. 

Mark H. Dunnell, R 937—293 

Morton S. Wilkinson, D 645 

State Senator. 

A. W. Jennison, R 778 

W. G. Ward, D 803— 34 

Scattering 1 

Members House of Representatives. 

John Thompson, R 840 

J. L. Sauffercr, R 966 

J. O. Chandler, D 686 

Patrick Kenehan, D 706 

A. W. Jennison 1 



County Auditor. 

F. D. M. Orcutt, R 748 

Edgar Cronkhite, D 835— 81 

County Commissioner. 
Obediah Powell 373—373 

Election., Novemher 5, 1873. 
Governor. 

Cushman K. Davis, R 787—166 

Ara Barton, D 631 

Samuel Mayall 3 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Alphonso Barto, R 779—147 

Ebenezer Ayers, D 633 

Secretary of State. 

S. P. Jennison, R 777—144 

J. H. Stevens, D 633 

Treasurer of State. 

Mons Grinager, R 746—96 

E. W. Dyke, D 650 

L N. Sater 4 

Attorney General. 

George P. Wilson, R 782—161 

W. P. Clough, D 621 

On the Question of Holding Biennial Sessions of the 
Legislature. 

Yes 75 

No 394—319 

On Amending Constitution, Preparatory for Biennial 
Sessions of Legislature. 

Yes 55 

No 396—341 

On Amendment to Section 13 of Article IX of the 
Constitution. 

Yes 311—163 

No 149 

Member House of Representatives. 

L. D. Smith, R 967—489 

James E. Cbild, R 765—166 

Kelsey Curtiss, D 478 

David Wood, D 599 

County Treasurer. 

Warren Smith, R 986-605 

Michael Sheran, D 381 

George McDermott, 1 34 

Register of Deeds. 

H. A. Mosher, R 845—383 

Louis Krassin, D 563 

Sheriff. 

George H. Woodbury, D 513 

S. W. Long, R 696—184 

Chas. Cunningham, 1 196 

Judge of Probate. 

J. A. Canfield, R 774—157 

Neri Reed, D 617 

Court Attorney. 

F. A. Newell, R 503 

Peter McGovern, D : 898—396 



458 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Court Commissioner. 

J. B. Smith, 110 opposition 1403 — 140 

Coroner. 

L. D. Mcintosh, R. and D 1402—1402 

County Commissioners. 

R. O. Craig 193— 82 

H. C. Pacliard 112 

Halvor K. Stearns 217—148 

Frank McLane 69 

Election, November 5, 1871),. 

Chief .Justice, Supreme Court. 

S J. R. McMillan, R 693 

Wescott Wilkins, D 772— 79 

Associate .lustice, Supreme Court. 

F. R. E. Cornell, R 674 

William Lochren, I) 790— 116 

Member of Congress. 

Franklin H. Waite, D 602 

Mark H. Dunnell, R 1032— 4.30 

County Auditor. 

Edgar Cronkhite, D 955— 357 

H. J. Wadsworth, R 698 

State Senator. 

Peter McGovern, D 875— 155 

.James E. Child, R 720 

Pat. Child 1 

Members of House of Representatives. 

H. P. Packard, D 748 

.Joseph Minges, D 968— 3?)2 

Morris II. Lamb, R . 837— 79 

.John Thompson, R 666 

For County Commissioners. 

William Burke 93— 33 

Christian Melchior 49 

William Byron 70 

George Hofeldt 104 

C. H, Newell 110— 6 

Election, November 2, 1875. 
Governor. 
John S. Pillsbury, R 547— 1 

D. D. Buell, D 546 

R. F. Humiston, P 334 

Lieutenant Governor. 

.J. B. Wakefield, R 570- 20 

E. W. Durant, D 550 

J. B. Tuttle, P 314 

Secretary of State. 

.J. S. Irgens, R 558— 3 

Adolphus Bierman, I) 555 

.John H. Stevens, P 300 

Auditor of State. 

O. P. Whitcomb, R 568— 38 

P. H. Rahiley, D 540 

A. B. Hutchinson, P 318 

Treasurer of State. 

William Pfender, R 603— 93 

Albert Schef er, D 509 



H. D. Brown, P 399 

E. W. Dike 6 

Attorney General. 

G. P. Wilson, R .579— 76 

R. A. Jones, D 503 

C. M. McCarthy, P 346 

Railroad Commissioner. 

W. R. Marshall, R 554— 14 

W. T. Bonniwell, D 540 

A. M. Greeley, P 332 

Chief Justice, Supreme Court. 

James Gilfilian, R 713— 196 

L. Emniett, D 517 

A. A. McLeod, P 2 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 
S. H. Nichols, R 573— 35 

A. M. McLeod, D 547 

P. A. .Jewell, P 307 

Sherwood Hough 3 

On the Question of Amending Section 4, Article VI of 

the Constitution. 

Yes 16 

No 1308—1193 

Amendment to Article VII of the Constitution. 

Yes 1068— 905 

No 163 

Amendment to Article VIII of the Constitution. 

Yes 1 140—1065 

No 75 

Amendment to Section 3 of Article X of the Constitution. 

Yes 60 

No 1169—1109 

Members House of Representatives. 

Kclscy Curtis, P. and D 830 

William Brisbane, D 541 

Gullick Knutson, R 562 

Robert Earl, R 587 

S. Hawks, P 366 

Scattering 8 

County Treasurer. 

Warren Smith, P. and R 886— 363 

Thomas White, D 523 

Scattering 3 

Register of Deeds. 

II. A. Mosher, R 831— 368 

George Hofeldt, D 453 

E. G. Pierce, P 145 

Scattering 3 

Clerk of District Court. 
James Hayden, D 646— 373 

B. A. Lowell, R 374 

James Van der Made, P 303 

Sheriff. 

J. D. Andrews, D 429 

S. W. Long, R 466— 37 

Daniel Murphy, 1 399 

M. F. Connor, P 137 

Judge of Probate. 
J. A. Canfield, R 004— 68 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



459 



Caleb Halleck, D 636 

Scattering 1 

County Attorney. 

M. D. L. Collester, R 713— 32 

Lewis Brownell, P •. 680 

Scattering 9 

County Surveyor. 

C. E. Crane, P 937— 448 

Prank HofEstadt, D 489 

Scattering 3 

Coroner. 

J. C. McMahon, D 1098— 776 

L. D. Mclntosli, P 321 

Scattering 1 

County Comrai.ssloner. 

H. Vincent 281— 67 

Patrick Haley 314 

Election, November 7, 1876. 
President. 

Rutherford B. Hayes, R 1130— 372 

Samuel J. Tilden, D 758 

Peter Cooper, G. B 76 

State Senator. 

P. C. Bailey, R 739 

William Brisbane, D 561 

James E. Child, P 700 

Member House of Representatives. 

Anthony Sampson, R 816 

Selma Dane, R 691 

John Buckhout, D 738 

Fentou Keenan, D 828 

T. D. M. Orcutt, P 517 

Gulick Knutson, P 411 

County Auditor. 

Edgar Cronkhite, D. and P 1043— 111 

A. E. Dearborn, R 931 

Court Commissioner. 

J. B.Smith, R 736 

C. G. Park, D 1138— 300 

A. G. Chapman 103 

County Commissioners. 

R. O. Craig 338— 338 

H. K. Stearns 308— 117 

R. F. Stevens 91 

H. C. Woodford 88 

B J. Chapman 4 

Special Election, June 12, 1877. 

On the question of appropriating 500,000 acres In- 
ternal Improvement Lands for payment of Minnesota 
State Railroad Bonds. 

Yea 57 

No 1642—1595 

Election, November 6, 1877. 
Governor. 

John S. Pillsbury, R 495 

Austin Willey, P > 595 

William L. Banning, D. and G. B 817— 322 



Lieutenant Governor. 

J. B. Wakefield, R 605 

P. A. Jewell, P 488 

A. A. Ames, D 800— 95 

William Meighen, G. B 9 

Secretary of State. 

John S. Irgens, R 630 

M. T. Anderson, P 482 

P. T. Lindholm, D 790— 170 

A. E. Rice, G. B 6 

State Treasurer. 

William Pfaender, R 655 

J. F. Meagher, D 750— 95 

W. W. Slocum, P 478 

Isaac Staples, G. B 6 

Attorney General. 

George P. Wilson, R 606 

James B. Child, P 490 

J. R. Jones, D 799— 193 

S. L. Pierce, G. B 6 

Railroad Commissioner. 

William R. Marshall, R 608 

T. G. Carter, P 487 

H. W. Hill, D 799— 192 

E. Ayres, G. B 11 

Representative to Legislature. 

Mark L. Devereaux, P 553 

John F. Preston, P 590 

J, R. Davison, R 280 

ABishman, R 623 

Fenton Keenan, D 800— 520 

J. O. Chandler, D 935— 303 

Register of Deeds. 

H. A. Mosher, R 1026— 437 

Ed. Bennett, G. B 384 

R. Jacoby, D 589 

Judge of Probate. 

Caleb Hallack, P 706— 105 

J. A. Canfield, R 601 

H. C. Woodbury, D 584 

County Attorney. 

J. E. Child, P 768 

P. McGovern, D .1031— 263 

Superintendent of Schools. 

H. G. Mosher, D. and P 1438— 961 

George N. Annes, R 467 

County Treasurer. 

Warren Smith, R. and P 1013— 150 

William Leo, D 863 

Surveyor. 

C. E. Crane, no opposition 1885 — 1885 

Court Commissioner. 

F. A. Newell, R. and P '. 1066— 267 

J. A. Roemer, D 799 

Sheriff. 

M. Craven, P 495 

S. W. Long, 1 458 

H. Wilson, R 407 



460 



UISTOEY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



M. Keeley, D 547— 52 

Coroner. 

L. D. Mcintosh. R 683 

J. C. McMahan, D 1207—524 

County Commissioners. 

William Burke 136— 55 

A. J. .Jordan 61 

Michael !Madigan 44 

D. N. Ackerman Ill 

William Hoover 53 

John Brady 135— 24 

Election, Noverriber 5, 1878. 
Auditor of State. 

O. P. Whitcomb, K 670— 186 

Mahlon Black, D 584 

T. G. Carter, P '. 398 

O. H. Page, G. B 270 

Associate .Justice, Supreme Court. 

John M. Berry, K. and P 1074— .558 

W. H. Mitchell, D 516 

O. M. Mead, G. B 262 

Scattering 4 

Clerk Supreme Court. 

S. H. Nichols, R 665— 44 

Dillon O'Brien, I) ... 621 

William Copp, P 404 

W. J. Webb, G. B 229 

Scattering 6 

.Judge, 5th Judicial District. 

Samuel Lord, li. and P 933— 397 

I^afayette Emmett, D 361 

Lewis Brownell, 1 536 

Scattering. 2 

Member of Congress. 

M. H. Dunnell, R .556 

William Meighen, D. and G. B 743— 137 

George H. Green, P 586 

State Senator. 

S. B. William.s, P 729— 265 

P. C. Bailey, R 464 

Feuton Iveenan, D 443 

W. D. Armstrong, G. B 274 

Members of House of Representatives. 

John Thompson, R 553 

H. P. Packard, R 488 

H. C. Chase, D 531 

M. Sheeran, D 485 

John S. Abell, P 570 

Ira D. Beeman, P 505 

John Byron, G. B 503 

Edward Bennett, G.I} 140 

County Auditor. 

Edgar Cronkhite, D. and P 745— 231 

H. J. Wadsworth, R 514 

J. A. Roemer, 1 233 

Jlartin E. Cogley, G. B 417 

County Commissioners. 

Eri G. Wood 229 



Thomas Bowe 300— 71 

Hugh Wilson 22 

Election, N&oember 1)., 1879. 

Governor. 

John S. Pillsbury, R*. 868 

Edmund Rice, D 992— 124 

W. W. Satterlee, P 481 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Charles A. Gilman, R 878 

E. P. Barnum, D 951— 73 

S. B. Williams, P 512 

Secretary of State. 

Fred. Von Baumbach, R 859 

Felix A. Borer, D 1043— 184 

I. C. Stearns, P 447 

State Treasurer. 

Charles Kittleson, R 939 

L. E. Cowdry, D 966— 27 

J. M. Durnam, P 440 

Attorney' General. 

Chas. M. Start, R 917 

P. M. Babcock, D 982— 65 

A. W. Bangs, P 450 

Railroad Commissioner. 

W. R. Marshall, R 904 

William Colville, D 987— 83 

Charles Griswold. P 484 

County Treasurer. 

H. K. Stearns, R 716 

C. McKenna, D 969—245 

Warren Smith, P 724 

Sheriff. 

B. F. Roddle, R 496 

Malhew Keeley, D 712—216 

J. L. Claghorn, P 343 

Oliver Peterson, 1 483 

G. Buchler, 1 304 

Register of Deeds. 

G. P. Johnson, R 684 

Chas. San Galli, D 1047—361 

C. E. Crane, P 686 

County Attorney. 

]\[. D. L. Collester, R 881—194 

A. J. O'Grady, D 777 

James E. Child, P 683 

County Surveyor. 

O. L. Smith, R. and D 2087-2078 

C. E. Crane 9 

Clerk of the Court. 

Lewis Huge, R 451 

J. B. Hayden, D 901—230 

E. E. Verplank, P 671 

Henry Murphy, 1 335 

Judge of Probate. 

J. A. Canfleld, R 796 

H. C. Woodbury, D .'. 1015—219 

Caleb Hallack, P 528 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



461 



Superintendent of Schools. 

F. D. Seaman, R 468 

M. V. Hunt, D 723—118 

E. W. Young, P 605 

H. G. Mosher, I ,^47 

Coroner. 

D. C. Cummings, D, and P 1840-1349 

L. D. Mcintosh, R 491 

County Commissioners. 

L. Wallace 108 

Philip Purcell 256—113 

August Minske 144 

N. M. Nelson 274—105 

Peter Echternach 169 

J. W. Cleland 33 

Wm. Brisbane 110 

Amendment to Article 9 of the Constitution. 

Yes 1797-1786 

No 11 

Election, Movemher S, 1880. 
President. 

James A. Garfield, R 1381—418 

Winfield S. Hancock, D 963 

Congress. 

W. G. Ward, R 1366—882 

M. H. Dunncll, R 484 

H. R. Wells, D 467 

Judge of District Court. 

Thomas S. Buckman 2347-2347 

On the Text Book Act. 

For the Act 909 

Against 883 

State Senator. 

R. L. McCormick, R 1553— 771 

R. O. Craig, D 781 

B. C. McCormick 4 

Members Hou.se of Representatives 
Christopher Wagner, R 1358— 413 

D. J. Dodge, R 1398— 438 

Thomas Barden, D 946 

Joseph Schmid, D 960 

County Auditor. 

C. E. Crane, R 1281— 313 

E. Cronkhite, D 1068 

Court Commissioner. 

F. A. Newell, R 1193— 264 

H. C. Woodbury, D 928 

County Commissioner. 

A. J. Jordan 109— 13 

William Byron 97 

G. G. Pride 78 

H. A. Mosher 3 

W. D. Armstrong 331— 103 

Ernest Miller 119 

Election, Novemher 8, 1881. 
Governor. 

Lucius F. Hubbard, R 1350— 504 

R. W. Johnson, R 746 



C. H. Roberts 8 

I. C. Stearns 5 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Charles A. Gilman, R 1173— 366 

E. P. Barnum, D 806 

Scattering 40 

Secretary of State. 
Fred. Van Baumbach, R 1172— 366 

A. J. Lamberton, D 806 

Scattering 40 

State Treasurer. 

Charles Kittelson, R 116")— 350 

John F. Russell, D 815 

Scattering 39 

State Auditor. 

W. W. Braden, R 1174— 309 

R. L. Lehmicke, D 805 

Scattering 43 

Attorney General. 

W. J. Hahn, R 1174— 339 

G. N. Baxter, D 835 

Scattering 11 

Railroad Commissioner. 
James H. Baker, R '. 1168— 338 

B. F. Cook, D 840 

Scattering 13 

Associate Justice, Supreme Court. 

Charles E. Vanderberg, D 1017 

William Mitchell, R 1652— 635 

D. A. Dickinson, R 1652— 865 

Greenleaf Clark, D 787 

Clerk of Supreme Court 

Samuel H. Nichol, R 1173— 339 

J. J. Thornton, D 834 

Scattering 11 

County Treasurer. 

Charles McKenna, D 1321— 638 

Robert Earl, R 683 

Scattering 9 

Register of Deeds. 

Charles San Galli, D 1111— 225 

H. A. Mosher, R 886 

Scattering 6 

Sheriff. 

Hugh Wilson, R 843— 255 

Fred. Bettner, D 588 

M. Keeley, 1 864 

D. Murphy, 1 314 

Scattering 4 

County Attorney. 
W. R. Kinder, R 995— 2 

P. McGovern, D 993 

Scattering 10 

Judge of Probate. 
S. D. Crump, R 1038— 81 

H. C. Woodbury, D 957 

Scattering 13 

County Surveyor. 

Orson L. Smith, R. and D 2020—2030 



462 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Superintendent of Schools. 

D. S. Cummings, D 1100— 196 

E. B. Collester, R 904 

Scattering , 5 

Coroner. 

R. O. Craig, D 1995—1983 

M. V. Hunt 8 

C. Cunniugluim 4 

County Commissioners. 

G. W. Soule 126— 55 

A. H. Brandt 67 

Scattering 4 

I. C. Trowbridge 183— 47 

G. Bucliler 135 

Election, November 7, 1882. 
Member of Congress. 

James B. Waliefleld, R 1048— 198 

Felix A. Borer, D 850 

Scattering 4 

Chief Justice, Supreme Court. 

James GilfilUui, R. and D 1901—1901 

Stale Senator. 

A. W. Jennison, R 683 

R. O. Craig, D 1201— 519 

Scattering 8 

Members House of Representatives. 

Anthony Sampson, R 893 

John C. White, D 986— 83 

Scattering 6 

County Auditor. 

C. E. Crane, R 1008—118 

George Hofeldt, D 890 

Coroner. 

H. J. Young, R 890— 57 

Carroll Corson, D 833 

County Commissioners. 

Phillip Purcell 244—109 

A. P. Wilson 135 

N. M. Nelson 237—106 

Michael Murphy 131 

Election, November 6, 1883. 
Governor. 

L. P. Hubbard, R 1044 

A. Bierman, D 1347 

C.B. Holt, P 13 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Chas. A. Gilman, R 1305 

R. L. Frazee, D 1082 

C. B. Shore, P 12 

Secretary of State. 

Fred. Van Baumbach, R 1236 

J. J. Green, D 1061 

E. G. Paine, P 13 

State Treasurer. 

Chas. Kittelson, R 1310 

John Ludwig, D 1074 

C. M. Anderson, P 12 

C. McKenna 1 



Attorney General. 

W. J. Hahn, R 1219 

J. W.Willis, D 1070 

Francis Cadwell, P 12 

Railroad Commissioner. 

James H. Baker, R 1315—133 

A. Lindholm, D 1071 

S. Meeker, P 13 

On Amending Section 5, of the Constitution. 

Yes 377 

No 888—611 

County Treasurer. 

Charles McKenna, D 1399— .500 

C. Wagner, U 899 

Clerk of District Court. 

M. B. Keeley, D 1147— 31 

A. J. Lohren, R 1136 

Register of Deeds. 

Walter Glendenning, R 631 

C. Mertons, D 325 

H. A. Mosher, 1 663— 10 

Charles San Galli, 1 6.53 

Sheriff. 

Hugh Wilson, R 1288—388 

D. Welch, D 1000 

Judge of Probate. 

S. D. Crump, R 903—185 

Josepli Finley , D 717 

F. A. Newell, 1 395 

H.C.Woodbury, 1 366 

County Attorney. 

M. D. L. Collester, R 1060 

P. McGovern, D 1198—138 

W. R. Kinder 1 

Court Commissioner. 

B A. Lowell 1155 

H. P. Norton 816 

W. G. Ward 69 

C. E. Leslie 243 

County Surveyor. 

O. L. Smith, R and D 1161—1160 

W. G. Ward 1 

Coroner. 

H. J. Young, R 1170—304 

M. V. Hunt, D 966 

Superintendent of Schools. 

J. B. Dye, R 987 

D. S. Cummings, D 1343 

County Commissioners. 

A. J. Jordan 168 

C. Melchoir 13 

G. W. Dunham Ill 

J. L. Shaw 89 

M. F. Connor Ill 

Election, Novemher If., 188^.. 

President. 

.lames G. Blaine, R 1189—333 





ay)onJ 




HISTORY OF W 

Grover Cleveland, D 867 

John P. St. John, P 97 

Benj. F. Butler, L 9 

Belva Luckwood, W. S 1 

Member of Congress. 

J. B. Wakefield, R 1197—312 

J. J. Thornton, D 885 

William Copp, P 70 

Associate Justice, Supreme Court. 
.1. M. Berry, U ISfjo-loJ.") 

Jlember House of Representatives. 

M. 1). L. Collester, 11 1115— 2,i.^) 

Michael Shearan, D 860 

Ebenezer Thompson, 1 144 

County Auditor. 

S. Swenson, R 1361—368 

Charles San (iaili. D 893 

C. Mertens, 1 9 

County Commissioners. 

Austin Vinton 176— 92 

J. P. Wheelan 84 

M. Craven 278— 74 

U. 11. Helms 204 

Mention, Noveinhev 2, 1886. 

Governor. 

A. R. jMcGill, R 938 

A. A. Ames, D 1442—504 

J. E. Child, P 431 

Lieutenant Governor. 

A. E. Rice, D 1442— 56 

John Frank, R 1386 

J. P. Piukham, P 313 

Secretary of State. 

Hans Mattson, R 1188 

Lute Jager, D 1343—1.54 

O. A. Pierce, P 241 

State Treasurer. 

Joseph Bobletter, R 1189 

Henry Poehler, D 1341—152 

P. J." Kniss, P 281 

State Auditor. 

W. W. Bradon, R 1189 

A. G. L>mdburg, D 1342—153 

H. W. Allen, P 274 

Attorney General. 

M. E. Clapp 1190 

J. N. Ives 1344—154 

W. M. Hatch 279 

Associate Justices, Supreme Court. 
William Jlitchell, R. and D 2531-2253 

D. A. Dickinson, R. and D 2530-2252 

C. E. Vanderburgh, R. and D. 2531-2253 

C. E. Shearman, P 278 

J. McKnight, P 278 

J. W. Cochran, P 278 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 

J. D. Jones, R 1189 

T. O'Leary, D 1326— Kil 



ASECA COUNTY. 465 

C. A. Fossnes, P 281 

G. T. Gardner 3 

Judge of District Court. 

T. S. Buckham, R 2584-2584 

Menil)cr of Congress. 

John Liml, R 1195 

A. H. Bullis, D 134.5-1.50 

George J . Day, P 269 

State Senator. 

W. G, Ward, R 1300—276 

R. O. Craig, D 1024 

Samuel Hawkes, P ■ . 450 

II. Hawkes 1 

Member House of Representatives. 

Sauuiel Hodgkins, R 1193 

M. W. Ryan, D 1220— 27 

County Auditor. 

S. Swenson, R 1816-1047 

P. A. Lilly, D 769 

County Treasurer. 

L. C. Remund, R 1037 

('has. McKenna, D 1733—695 

Register of Deed^ 

A. F. Kruger, R 1762—993 

R. Jacoby, D 769 

S. H. Drum, P 181 

Tarrant Putnam, 1 35 

Clerk of District Court. 

Walter Child, R. and P 1074 

M. B. Keelev, D 1 724-650 

Sherifl'. 
W. J. Baker, R 1006 

A. C. Kras.sin, D 1.598— .592 

D. J. Bickford, P 176 

Judge of Probate. 

W. C. Young, R 1559-648 

J. Madden, D 911 

W. H. Hover, P 309 

Scattering 1 

County Attorney. 

E. L. Maddox, R 1125 

P. McGovern, D 1376—251 

C. E. Leslie, P 279 

W. E. Young 1 

Superintendent of Schools. 
J. B. Dye. R. and P 1445— 7 

D. S. Curamings, D 1438 

Court Commissioner. 

G. R. Buckman, R 1247— 17 

H. C. Woodbury, D 1230 

B. A. Lowell, P 299 

County Surveyor. 

O. L. Smith, R " 1968-1968 

Coroner. 

M. V. Hunt, D 1306-118 

H. J. Young, a 1188 

N. C. Davis, P 294 

County Commissioners. 
A. Vinton. R " 20.5—108 



466 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Thos. McGuire, D 


. . 97 


Adam Bishman, P 

C. G. Pride, R. and P 


46 

52 




W. H. Kidney, R 


235 

271— 36 

78 

253—56 

196 




Philip Purcell, D 

A. -P. Wilson, P 

Jonas 0. Svinde, R 

A. J. Stensvad, D 


P. Champion, D 

James Conway, D 

John Wilkinson, R 

Clias. Deyling, D 


155 

159— 

190 

209- 


4 
79 




CHAPTER VIT. 




OTHER OFFICIAL MATTERS. 



ROUPED together in this chapter 
will be found the various mat- 
ters gathered from the count}' 
records and various other sources, 
that fill no special place in his- 
tory, but which if left untold 
would mar the completeness of 
these annals. 

POPULATION. 

The census of 1885 gives Waseca County 
a total population of 13,343, which is divided 
as follows : 

Woodville Township 603 

City of Waseca 2,513 

Otisco Townsbip 876 

Janesville Township .■ 839 

Village of Janesville 1 ,054 

Wilton Township 737 

St. Mary Township 743 

Freedom Township 964 

Iosco Township 1,069 

Blooming Grove 784 

Alton Township 1,051 

Vivian Townsliip 522 

Byron Township 421 

New Rifliland Township 710 

New Richland Villasce 457 



Total 13,343 

In 1860, the county contained but 2,601 
people, and by the census of 1870 it had in- 
creased to 7,854. In 1880, a close and accu- 
rate account made the number of inhabitants 
in Waseca County 12,385, with the increase 
in the succeeding five years as above given. 

SUBDIVISIONS OF THE COUNTY. 

The county of Waseca 'is divided into 
twelve civil townships, as follows: 

Janesville, embracing all of congressional 
township 108 north of range 24 west. 

Iosco, congressional township 108 north of 
range 23 west. 



rano-e 23 



north of 



Blooming Grove, township 108 north of 
range 22 west. 

Alton, townsliip 107 north of range 24 
west. 

Saint Mary, township 107 north of range 
23 west. 

Woodville, township 107 north of range 
22 west. 

Freedom, township 100 north of range 24 
west. 

Wilton, township 106 north of range 23 
west. 

Otisco, township 100 north of range 22 
west. 

Vivian, township 105 north of range 24 
west. 

Bvron, township 105 north ol 
west. 

New Richland, township 105 
range 22 west. 

TOWN PI-.iTS. 

A list is lierewith given of the various 
town plats that have been recorded from 
time to time in the books of Waseca County, 
with the date of filing, names of original 
proprietors, etc. 

Waseca — laid out and established b}' Ira 
C. Trowbridge, in -Tuly, 1867; J. II. Jenkins, 
surveyor. 

First addition to Waseca — laid out by 
Ira C. Trowbridge and II. P. Norton in 
September, 1867. 

Barney's addition to Waseca — filed for 
record on the 21st of October, 1867. 

Lakeside addition to Waseca — laitl out 
by Nathaniel and Eri G. Wood, in October, 
1868, C. E. Crane, surveyor. 

Bennett's addition to Waseca — laid out 
in January, 1872, by Edward Bennett; sur- 



46T 



468 



HISTOKY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



veyed by C. E. Crane. Subdivision of the 
same platted in July, 1875. 

McNamara's addition to Waseca — laid out 
in May, 1872, by Francis McNamara. It 
was surveyed by F. McNainara, and the plat 
acknowledged before F. B'oodgood, commis- 
sioner for Minnesota, at Milwaukee, Wis. 

Trowbridge's addition to Waseca — laid 
out by Ira C. Trowbridge in June, 1873. A 
subdivision was platted in September, the 
same year. 

Jenkins' addition to Waseca — laid out by 
J. II. Jenkins, who was also the surveyor, in 
August, 1875. 

Ward's addition to Waseca — laid out by 
William G.Ward in May, 1885; surveyed 
by O. L. Smith. 

South addition to Waseca — laid out by 
William G. Ward, in October, 1881 ; E. W. 
Fiske, surveyor. 

South side addition to Waseca — laid out 
in September, 1885, by Ira C. Trowbridge. 

Jenkins' second addition — laid out in May, 
1885, by J. H. Jenkins. 

Clear Lake City — laid out by George W. 
Watkins in August, 1867. 

New Eichland — laid out in August, 1877, 
by Henry T. Wells. 

Zieger's addition to New Hichland — by 
Charles Zieger, April, 1 878. 

Wells' addition to New Eichland — by II. 
T. Wells in June, 1878. 

McClane's addition to New Eichland — 
laid out in Maj', 1882, by Jane McClane. 

Zieger's second addition to New Eichland 
— laid out by Charles Zieger, in May, 1886. 

St. Mary — was laid out and platted in 
February, 1857, by W. li. Chamberlain and 
others ; surveyed by H. W. Peck. 

Alma City— platted June, 1865, S. M. Lar- 
abee, proprietor; S. E. Stebbings, surveyor. 

East Janesville — laid out by J. W. Sprague, 
in August, 1869; S. II. Mott, surveyor. 

First addition to East Janesville — laid out 
by J. W. Spi'aguo in November, 1874. 

Allyn's addition to East Janesville — laid 
out in November, 187-1, by W. G. Allj'u. 



Allyn's second addition to East Janesville 
— laid out in October, 1875, W. G. Allyn, 
proprietor. 

Allyn's third addition to East Janesville — 
laid out l)y W. G. Allyn, in October, 1876. 

Allyn's fourth addition to East Janesville 
—laid out in October, 1877, by W. G. Allyn. 

Carjienter's first addition to East Janes- 
ville — laid out and platted by Adna Carpen- 
ter in September, 1875. 

Carpenter's second addition to East Janes- 
ville — laulout in March, 1878, by A. Carpen- 
ter. 

French's addition to East Janesville — was 
laid out in June, 1870. 

Gosper's addition to East Janesville — laid 
out by Edwin II. Gosper in November, 1877. 

Okaman — was laid out in May, 1857, the 
owners being W. V. Mathes, B. S. Hall, S. 
M. Cooley, F. E. Eoberts and G. H. Bishop. 

Eobert's addition to Okaman — laid out 
by Frederick E. and James Eoberts, and tlie 
plat filed for record May 26, 1857. 

Smitli's Mill — laid out by Angeline and B. 
II. Lane in May, 1885. 

Wilton — was laid out by John C. Ide in 
December, 1856, it then being in Steele 
County. 

AVilton addition to Wilton — laid out by J. 
D. Pattee and I. Wilcox in October, 1857. 

Mayfield — laid out in July, 1857 by Har- 
vey Abbott. 

Otisco — laid out and platted in July, 
1857, by AVarren Bundy and S. S.Goodrich. 

Grigo-s and Obert's addition to Otisco — 
laid out June, 1858, by S. S. Griggs and W. 
W. Obert. 

These matters are treated at length in tlie 
township and village histories. 

MATRIMONIAL. 

The first marriages in Waseca County are 
not all recorded in the books of the county, 
and hence some may be missing in this 
record, but no efforts have been spared to 
make it complete. 

The first marriage took place on the 2d 



HISTOKV OF WASECA COUNTY. 



469 



of January, 1856, and was that of Mr. Bal- 
lard, of Mankato, and Louisa A. Gregory, 
John Jenkins, justice of the peace, officiat- 
ing. 

The second was that of James E. Child 
and Justina Krassin, which took pkice on 
the 19tli of April, 1856, John Jenkins, 
justice of the peace, performing the cere- 
mony. 

The first marriage recorded upon the 
books after the organization of Waseca 
Connty was that of Gottlieb Pfeifer and 
Magdalina Eemund, on the 17th of October, 
1857, Rev. II. Eoth performing the cere- 
mony. 

Then follows that of George Nicholas and 
Janet Hagadorn, on October 31, 1857, 
Mathew S. Green, J. P., officiating. 

A few more are here given in their 
sequence to show that even in that early 
day there was "marrying and giving in mar- 
riage. " 

William F. Armstrong and 8araii F. Far- 
rington, who were united by Eev. Jolin 
l^uigiey, on the 2d of Jnly, 1858. 

George Gilmore and Emma Walker, July . 
11, 1858, by P. C. Bailey, J. P., at the house 
of A. G. Sutlief. 

Baptist Rochsenlmck and Lisa Kammerer, 
by P. C. Bailey, J. P., July 2'.), 1858. 

Bastian Rochsenback and Johanna Metter, 
by P. C. Bailey, J. P., July 29, 1858. 

Simeon P. Child and Clarissa A. Northup, 
August 8, 1858, by J. B. Jackson, J. P. 

W. H. H. Jackson and Mary Eckert, by 
Daniel Riegle, J. P., August 8, 1858. • 

Alexander Miller and Margaret Gould, 
before 'Squire Bailey, September 30. 1858. 

L. Clark Wood and Cornelia C. Isaac, 
October 3, 1858, by Daniel Riegle, J. P. 

Thomas Johnson and Maria Oleson, before 
Daniel Riegle, J. P., November 4, 1858. 

Jens Olson and Brila Ivisslolfostlatter, 
October 17, 1858, by Lans Larun, a Lutheran 
minister. 

Jacob P. Lupher and Grace G. Goodrich, 



on the 30th of October, 1858, by P. C. 
Bailey, justice. 

The marriages for 1859 are as follows: 

John S. G. Ilosmer and Annette Greene, 
February 17, by H. P. Chamberlain, J. P. 

James Ruath and Emma Greene, February 
17, by LI. P. Chamberlain, J. P. 

John A. Magiil and Margaret Magill, 
April 8, by Rev. S. M. Rogers, a Methodist 
Episcopal minister. 

Gothlul F. Knud and Albertine Welhel- 
mone Steller, June 14, bj^ Rev. Schmitt. 

Albert Taringson and Mary Ann Ander- 
son, August 1, by P. C. Bailey, J. P. 

Joseph Peasley and Cyntha Hanes, July 
31, by Hubert P. Chamberlain, J. P. 

Andrew W. Hicks and Laura A. Scott, 
August 20, by A. Matson, deacon. 

John Peters and Caroline Larson, Novem- 
ber 6, by Sevenus Farrington, J. P. 

James A, Root and Hannah Brisbane, 
November 8, by J. B. Jackson, J. P. 

Wilhelm Brivoe and Emilia Auguste 
Brerhel, December 26, by Rev. John Schnell. 

The following table shows the number of 
marriages contracted from the year 1857 to 
1886, inclusive : 



1857 3 1873. 

1858 10 1873. 

1859 10 1874. 

1860 18 1875. 



65 

58 

73 

65 

18G1 21 1876 71 

1863 20 1877 83 

1863 18 1878 87 

1864 39 1879 80 

1865 33 1880 96 

1866 40 1881 80 

1867 40 1882 68 

1868 61 1883 83 

1869 67 1884 99 

1870 45 1885 117 

1871 54 1886 104 



Total 1697 

A glance at the foregoing figures shows 
that the market matrimonial has its rises and 
depressions the same as the monetary one. 
The state of the times is more or less re- 
flected in the number of marriages contracted. 
The Avar caused a large falling off from what 



470 



HISTOKY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



it should have been, but in 1864, 1S65 and 
1866, when the " boys in blue" " came march- 
ing home," then there is a large increase 
in the number of life partnerships. Some 
falling off is also noticed in 1873, ownig to 
the stringency of the money market. 

HE(;ISTEY OF DEEDS. 

As has alreaily been stated, before its or- 
ganization Waseca County was a portion of 
Steele County. The first transfers of land 
were, therefore, recorded in the books of that 
county, and were afterward transcribed 
into "Waseca County books. 

The first entry affecting land in this 
county, was the record of the location of a 
land warrant by Marcus T. C. Flowers, 
claiming title to the east half of the north- 
west quarter and the southw-est quarter of 
the northwest quarter of section 1, in town- 
ship 106, north of range 22 west, containing 
120 acres. This was dated November 26, 
1856. The date of filing for record, unfor- 
tunately, is not given. 

The first deed was tliat in which George 
W. Tremper aiul his wife, Matilda S. Trem- 
per. convey, for the consideration of $60(1, 
the northwest quarter of section 14, town- 
ship 106, north of range 23, to Henry C. 
Lowell, of "Wilton. This is acknowledged 
before Charles L. Lowell, a notary public, on 
the 30th of March, 1857. 

After the county of "Waseca \vas organ- 
ized, books were procured and records kept 
at "Wilton, Tarrant Putnam being the first 
register of deeds. 

There are now twenty-seven books of 
deed records, the register now using No. 1, 
having run through the alphabet, and then 
commenced with numbers. There are, also, 
twenty-two books of mortgages, that bearing 
the letter V being now in use. The whole 
number of record books in the office at 
present is seventy-two. 

auditok's report. 

The following is an abstract of the re]iort 
of the auditor in regard to the assessment 
in county' of "Waseca, for the year 1886 : 



Lands, e.xclusive of town property, value. . . $3,599,442 

Town and village lots. 379,649 

Value of personal property 585,991 

Total assessed value $3,565,083 

Total tax levied |64,156.19 

The value of realty in the several towns 
of the county, as per the assessment of 1886, 
is as follows : 

Woodville |213,701 

City of Waseca 216,535 

Janesville 196,975 

Village of Janesville 67,041 

Iosco 334,311 

Blooming Grove 339,856 

Alton 214,053 

St. Mary 245,908 

Freedom 235,689 

Otisco 233,030 

Wilton 231,314 

Vivian 172,418 

Byron 161,371 

New Richland 328,301 

Villiige of New Richland 25,154 

Cattle assessed in the county, 10,801, Value $147,416 

Horses and Mules 5,895, " 301,563 

Sheep 3,601, " 5,386 

Swine 5,989, " 8,538 

Valuation of live stock $462,903 

treasurek's report. 
J]y t lie last report of C. McKenna, treas- 
luer of "Waseca County, the following is a 

summary of cash on hand for the county 
and credited to the various funds on the 1st 
of June, 1887, as follows : 

State Fund $4,613.18 

County Current Fund 8,785.07 

County Poor Fund 3,826.71 

County Road and Bridges 3,300.90 

County Commission Fund 103.22 

Town of New Richland 1,345.55 

Village of New Richland 96.18 

Town of BjTon 363.13 

Town of Vivian 359.54 

Town of Otisco 60.75 

Town of Wilton 549 46 

Town of Freedom 315.18 

Town of Woodville 335.14 

Town of St. Mary 367..55 

Town of Alton 384.57 

Town of Blooming Grove 363.99 

Town of Iosco 247.44 

Town of Janesville 401.30 

Village of Janesville 155.38 

The several school districts 1,056.44 

$36,035,58 



CI-IAPTER VIII. 




STATE AND COUNTY REPEESENTATION. 



i|N all countries the men who hold 
the public offices are more or less 
looked upon merely as the repre- 
sentatives of the masses. This 
truism applies equally to the des- 
potic monarchies of the old world 
as well as to free America, for 
when they cease to truly repre- 
sent the people, they cease to ex- 
ist. In our laml and day where 
the office holder is merely the 
servant of the will of the people, 
wlio will dispute the right of the term i-epre- 
sentative, to such as figure in an official 
capacity? As a people we must give him 
the respect, in his official relations, that we 
owe to the will of the people, for he stands 
there the embodiment of their power. While 
in this connection it has been attempted to 
give some slight pen pictures of the many 
parties who have represented the citizens of 
Waseca County in official positions, many of 
them fall short of doing full justice to the 
subjects, inaccessibility of material being the 
chief of many reasons, and which should not, 
therefore, be laid at the door of tlie compilei'. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

Under this head it is not necessary to en- 
ter into detail in this place, as most of the 
gentlemen who have served the people of 
this district in the halls of Congress, are men- 
tioned in the historj^ of Steele County. 

The first to represent this, tlie 1st Minne- 
sota district, was William Windom, elected 
in 1860, previous to this the State being 
represented bj' two members at large. He 
held this position until 1869, when he was 
succeeded bj^ Morton S. Wilkinson, then a 



resident of Mankato. He served the people 
as their representative one term, being suc- 
ceeded by Mark H. Dunnell, of Steele 
County. 

This latter gentleman was elected in the 
fall of 1870, and served as representative in 
the XLIId Congress. He was reelected his 
own successor, until 1882, thus having been 
a member of the XLIId, XLIIId, XLIA^th, 
XLYth. XLVIth and XLVIIth Congresses. 
A sketch at length of him is given in the 
history of Steele County, to which the reader 
is referred. 

J. B. Wakefield was tlie successor to Mr. 
Dunnell, being elected to represent the 2d 
Minnesota district in the XLVIIIth Con- 
gress, and was re-elected in 1884 by a 
handsome majority ; served his constitu- 
ents in the XLIX Congress. He was an 
old settler of Blue Earth County, and had 
been lieutenant governor of this State. As 
a lawyer he is quite an able man, and as a 
legislator, of considerable talent. 

In 1886 the people of this district chose 
John Lind to represent them in the Lth 
Congress. Mr. Lind is a resident of New 
Ulm, Brown County, an early settler of that 
part of the State, and was at one time con- 
nected with the United States land office. 
He has been quite prominent in politics, and 
is a representative man. 

LEGISLATIVE. 

On the adoption of the State constitution 
in 1857, the counties of Waseca and Steele, 
then constituting the 15th senatorial dis- 
trict was represented in the fii'st Legislature, 
which assembled December 2, 1857, by Sen- 



471 



472 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTV. 



ator Lewis McKune, and Representatives H. 
M. Sheetz, G. C. Pettie and Smith Joiinson. 
lion. Lewis McKune was born in Meriden, 
Sus(]nehanna County. Pa., July 22, 1821, 
and was reared and educated among the 
roclcs and hills of the " Old Keystone State," 
living there until he had reached the age of 
twenty -five 3'ears, wlien he started west in 
search of a home and fortune, and settled 
for a time in Illinois. Wiien the gold fever 
broke out in 1849 and '50, he, like many 
others, at that time, left the homes of civil- 
ization and sought tiie golden sands of Cali- 
fornia. Fortune, in his case, proving propi- 
tious, he, in 185-i, returned to Illinois with a 
fair amount of means, enough to give him a 
good start in life. In 1856 became to Waseca 
County, coming all the way from his home 
in the " Sucker State" by team, lie made a 
claim on tlie northeast quarter of section 2, 
and the west half of tlie northwest quai'ter 
of section 1. Wilton Township. He at once 
became one of tiie leaders and prominent 
men of this county, and was elected a mem- 
ber of the constitutional convention that 
drew up tlie fundamental law of this State. 
This convention met in July, 1857. In the 
first State Legislature which assendjled in 
Decemljer, 1857. Lewis McKune represented 
this district in the Senate. But it was not to 
be that he should live long enough to enjov 
his honors, and tiie competence he liad gained. 
The civil war breaking out in 1801, he en- 
listed in the old First Minnesota Infantry, 
and was commissioned captain of company 
F, and proceeding to the front, went down 
in the awful slaughter at Bull liun, July 21, 
1861, being killed by a rebel bullet. A bet- 
ter hearted, more liberal, hospitable man it 
were hard to Hnd, and lie enjoyed the esteem 
and respect of all who knew him, an<l Jiis 
loss was a great one to the community. 

At the election of 1858, Buell Welch, of 
this county, was chosen representative. He 
had this empty honor, for there was no session 
in the winter of 1858-9, mainh' owing to 
the protracted session of 1857-8. 



The lid Legislature convened December 
7, 1859, and adjourned March 12, ISOO. 
W. F. Pettit represented the 15th district 
in the Senate, and Amos Coggswell, G. W. 
Greene, G. T. White and Jesse I. Stew- 
ai't, in the House. The last two named 
were residents of Waseca County, but hav- 
ing held the office of treasurer therein, are 
mentioned in that connection. 

By the apportionment of 1860, Steele, 
Waseca and Freeborn counties were erected 
into a district known as the 16th, which 
was represented in the Hid Legislature by 
George Watson in the Senate, and James E. 
Child and W. F. Pettit in the House. Mr. 
Child is mentioned at length in connection 
witli the press of this county, with wiiich he 
has been identified nearl}^ ever since tiie 
foundation of a paper within its precincts. 
This Legislature assembled Januaiy 8, 1861, 
and continued in session until March 8. 

Tiie IVth Legislature, which assembled 
January i. 1802, contained in tlie Senate A. 
B. Webber, and in the House H. C. Majroon 
and P. C. Bailey, as representatives. Mr. 
Bailey was and is a resident of this county, 
and has served the people in several capaci- 
ties. A sketch of him is found under the 
head of State Senator, farther on. 

The Vth Legislature assembled January 0, 
1863, and adjourned March 6. In that bodv 
^f. A. Daily represented this district in the 
Senate, and Asa AValker and Philo Wood- 
ruff in the House. 

The YIth Legislature convening January 
5, 1861, contained as the representatives of 
tliis district, F. J. Stevens in the Senate, and 
Plnlo Woodruff in the Llouse. This session 
continued until Marcli 4, when it adjourned. 

In the Vllth Legislature that came to- 
gether January 3, 1865, this district was 
represented by B. A. Lowell in the Senate, 
and J. L. Gibbs and J. B. Crooker in the 
House. The session lasted until Marcii 3. 

On the 2d of January, 1860, the Vllltli 
Legislature convened. In this body, as rep- 
resentatives from the 16th district, was B. A. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



4:73 



Lowell in the Senate and J. B. Crooker and 
Augustus Armstrong, in the House. 

Tliere was no change as to this county under 
tlie ajiportionnient of 1SG6, and when the 
IXth Legislature met, January 8, 1867, Au 
gustus Armstrong from this district was 
found in the Senate, and William Brisbane, 
AV. II. Twiford and James E. Smith in the 
House, the district having been given one 
additional representative. 

Hon. AVilliam Brisbane is a native of the 
cit}^ of Glasgow, Scotland, born December 
11, 1811. His father was a soldier in the 
British ami}' and was stationed at that ])]ace 
at the time; but our Mr. Brisbane, liaving 
been reared at the town of Hawick, calls 
himself a native of that city, and wishes to 
l)e termed a Hawick man. He resided in 
" Bonnie Scotland " until the spring of 1839, 
when lie sailed for the shores of America, set- 
tling at the town of Andes, Delaware Count}', 
N. Y. At this place he remained some 
ten years, and while in that section of the 
country was mixed up in the anti-rent 
troubles of that time, and suffered tiie ]ien- 
alty of the misdeeds of others. In 1S4'J he 
started for the West, and located at Alto, 
Fond du Lac County, Wis., but ten years 
later, in 18.50, moved to Minnesota and set- 
tled in AVilt'on Townshij), AV^aseca County, 
where he now lives, and where he owns 
a large and well tilled farm of 252 acres of 
land on section 23. Janaarv 20, 1832, he 
was united in nuirriage with Janet Scott, a 
native of the parish of Alinto, Scotland, born 
September lo, 1810. They have been the 
jjarents of twelve childi'en : Isabel, born in 
Hawick, Scotland, Januarys, IS.^j3 ; Catii- 
erine, l)orn Hawick, October 2G, ISSlr ; Helen, 
born Hawick, June 21, 1830; James, born 
Hawick, June 22, 1838; Hannah, born Dela- 
ware County, X. Y., August 18, IS-iO ; 
Janet, Ijoi'u Delaware County, N. Y;, May 
5, 1842; Alexander, born Delaware County, 
N. Y., March 6, 18'41; AVilliam Ilobert, born 
Delaware Count}^ N. Y., June 5, 184:5 ;Mar- 
geret, born Delaware County, N. Y., Decem- 



ber 12, 184T ; Mary, born Alto, Wis., May 
14, 1849, died February 1(», 1850; John, 
born Alto, January 29, 1850, and Thonuis, 
born Alto, July 26, 1853. Mr. Brisbane 
has twice represented this county in the 
legislative halls, the first time in this the 
IXth Assembh'^, and later in the Xlllth, 
in 1871. He is one of the sterling, thrifty 
farmers of the county, and a fair repre- 
sentative of the land of Scotia, honest, up- 
right, and of unimpeachable integrity, and 
drawing to the close of a long life of useful- 
ness and honor. 

The Xth Legislature assembled January 
7, 1868, and adjourned March 6. Augustus 
Armstrong still represented the district in 
the Senate. In the House William R. Kin- 
j'on, J. E. Smith and George A. La Dow rep- 
resented us. Mr. La Dow is noticed at 
length in the chapter entitled "Bench and 
Bar," he having been a prominent attorney of 
the county. 

J. B. Crooker, in the Senate, and Augustus 
Armstrong, E. Easton and Warren Smith in 
the House, were the re])resentatives from the 
16th district in the Xlth Legislature. This 
assembly convened January 5, 1869, and ad- 
journed March 5. 

Hon. AVarren Smith is the son of Amasa 
Smith, and was born in Barnstable County, 
Mass., November 15, 1821. He was 
reared in the county of his nativity within 
sound of the wild Atlantic's surf, and at the 
age of sixteen years commenced to learn the 
trade of boat builder. Between that and 
wrecking, a calling much followed on the 
iron coast of New England, he passed his time 
until 1856, when he came west to Minne- 
sota, locating at the time in Faribault, 
where, in company with J. S. Fuller, he en- 
gaged in the mercantile business. In the 
winter of 1856-7 he came to this county, 
and purchasing the stock of goods of Cham- 
berlain, Bailey & Co., of St. Marj', entered 
into business at that infant village. He re- 
mained here until 1862, when he removed to 
Wilton, where he, with his partners, carried 



474 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



on the general merchandise business until 
1870, when he removed to Waseca, his 
present residence. In 1862 Mr. Smith was 
appointed assistant sutler of the Tenth 
Minnesota Infantry, then engaged in the 
Sibley expedition against the Indians, and, 
after the successful termination of that cam- 
paign, he returned to liis home in Wilton, 
and the peaceful paths of commerce. In 
the fall of 1868 he was elected to the Legis- 
lature, and occupied a seat in the lower 
house of the Xlth Assembly. In 1870, 
on the retirement of Mr. Comee from the 
office of county auditor, Mr. Smith was 
appointed by the county board of commis- 
sioners to fill out tlie unexpired term, which 
he did. In the fall of 1ST3 he was elected to 
the office of county treasurer, with a ina- 
jority of 605 votes out of a total ballot of 
l,3t*l, and over two other candidates. On 
the expiration of his term of office he was 
twice reelected and thus served six years in 
that responsible position. In 1881 he was 
elected mayoi- of Waseca, on its incorpora- 
tion as a city. In 1853 Mr. Smith and 
Susan E. Johnson, also a native of the Old 
Bay State, were united in the holy Ijonds 
of matrimony, and they have been the 
parents of four children : Minnie M., Mar}' 
L., (xeorge W. and Charles A. Mr. Smith 
is one of the prominent, public spirited citi- 
zens of Waseca, and considerably interested 
in everything tliat is conducive to the best 
interests of iiis adopted home. He is a 
member of Tuscan Lodge, No. 77, Ancient 
Fi'ee and Accepted Masons, Waseca Chajjter 
No. 26, Royal Arcli Masons, and Cyrene 
Commander\\ No. 9, Knights Tem])lar. 

The Xllth Legislature met for the first 
time on the •1th of Januar\', 1870. J. B. 
Crooker was in the Senate, and W. C. 
Young, H. W. Ruhfifson and Dr. A. C. Wedge 
in tlie House as representatives of this dis- 
trict. Mr. Young was tlie gentleman to 
whom Waseca County had committed her 
interests. He is the present judge of the 



probate court of the county, in which con- 
nection will be found a sketch of him. 

W. C. Young, in the Senate, and William 
Brisbane, A. C. Wedge and F. B. Davis in 
the House, were found as tlie representa- 
tives of the 16th district in the Xlllth 
Legislature, which assembled January 3, 
1871, and adjourned Mai'ch 3. 

Under the apportionment act of 1871, 
Waseca Count}' was made a senatorial dis- 
trict by itself, and entitled to a senator and 
two representatives. In accordance with 
this, when the XlVth Legislature assem- 
bled, January 6, 1872, there were found as 
representatives of Waseca in that body, 
James E. Child, in the Senate, and Kelsey 
Curtis and John Thompson in the House. 
Kelsey Curtis is still a resident of the county ; 
John Thompson was an old settler of New 
liichland Township and is now a resident of 
Albert Lea. 

The XYth Legislature contained within 
itself, on assembling on January 7, 1873, 
Senator W. G. AVard, and Representatives 
John Thompson and J. L. Saufferer. 

Hon. John L. SaufFerer was born in AVitr- 
temberg, Germany, January 20,1821, where 
he lived until the age of twenty-four yeare, 
when he sailed for America, landing in New 
York City. He then went to Lawi'ence 
County, Ohio, where he remained four years 
working on a farm. After this he went to 
Clay County, III, and purchased a farm. 
In 1851 he returned to Germany and Avas 
united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Miiller 
and again sailed for America. Tliey re- 
mained on the farm he had purchased about 
six years, then sold and came to Waseca 
County, Minn., in 1857, where he still resides 
on a large farm. They have had born to 
them twelve children, as follows : George, 
born October 25, 1852; Henrietta, ijorn No- 
vember 14, 1853 ; John Carl, born March 
19, 1855 ; Maria Anna, born January 26, 
1857; Caroline, born April 9, 1859; Matilda, 
Willhelmina, born Decembei- 1, 18(!0 ; Henry, 
born October 12, 1862; Amelia J., born 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



475 



September 19, 1864; Lydia E. born October 
23, 1866; John George, born February 25, 
1869 ; Benjamin, born January 0, 1874, and 
Louis, born June 27, 1S7G. Two of these 
are dead : George died in Illinois, August 
9, 1853, and Matilda W. died September 16, 
1884. 

The XVIth Legislature convening Janu- 
ary 6, 1874, kept in session until March 6, 
^vhen it adjourned. W. G. Ward was still 
in the Senate, and L. D. Smith and James E. 
Child were in the House as representatives 
from Waseca Count\\ 

L. D. Smith at that time was one of the 
leading agriculturists of the town of Alton, 
but IS now a resident of Albert Lea, where 
he is engaged in the cooper business. 

In January, 1875, the XVIIth Legislature 
convened. Peter McGovern represented 
AVaseca County in the Senate, and Morris II. 
Lamb and Joseph Minges in the House. Mr. 
Minges was a native of Bavaria, born in 
1817. lie came to this country in 1847, and 
to Otisco Township in 1858, where he died 
Monday, June 21, 188G, of paralysis, at the 
age of sixt3'-nine. 

Hon. Peter McGovern, the present county 
attorney, is one of the leading lawyers of 
AVaseca. His large and growing practice is 
a sufficient index of his success and increas- 
ing popularity. He is a native of Water- 
town, Wis., born October 9, 1845, and is the 
son of Edward and Rose McGovern. He 
was reared among the scenes of his nativity', 
and there received an academical education, 
thus laying the foundation for his legal stud- 
ies. Entering the law school at Madison, 
Wis., he graduated therefrom in 1871, and 
the following year came to Waseca and com- 
menced the practice of his chosen profession, 
and has remained here ever since. In the 
fall of 1874 Mr. McGovern received the nom- 
ination of the Democratic party for the 
])osition of State senator, to represent this 
district in the XYIIth Legislature, and 
was duly elected 1)}' a handsome majority. 
Mr. McGovern was first elected to the office 



of county attorne}^ Avhich he now holds, in 
the fall of 1873, and filled it for the ensuing 
two years. In 1877 he was again inducted 
into this office by the will of the people, and 
held it for another two years. At the elec- 
tion of 1881 he was defeated for the same 
office by but two votes, but in 1883 he was 
again elected to fill the place, and reelected 
in 1886. In 1883 Mr. McGovern and Minnie 
Gilmore, a native of Canada, were united in 
marriage. They are the parents of two 
children : Florence and Ambrose. 

Hon. Morris II. Lamb is a native of Me- 
dina County, Ohio, born January 2, 1837, 
and is the son of Morris and Sebrina (Hop- 
kins) Lamb, who were the parents of six 
children : Lurinda P., Morris II., Francis 
M., Anna M., Clara A. and Harry P., all of 
whom are living. Mr. Lamb, the elder, died 
December 31, 1869 ; his wife in 1859. Morris 
H., at the age of twenty -one, commenced life 
for himself as a farmer, and has followed 
that vocation ever since. In tlie fall of 1854 
the whole family moved to Cumberland 
County, Tenn., where the elder Mr. Lamb 
was engaged in farming. There they lived 
until 1861, and they, being of the undeniable 
Union stripe, Hed from their homes with the 
other refugees of those daj's, loading three 
wagons with such of their pereonal effects 
as they could carry, seeking more congenial 
quarters. Crossing the Ohio Piver, their 
haven of safety, they came right on to Min- 
nesota, and in 1S64 to Waseca Countv. 
August 15, 1861, Morris H. enlisted in com- 
pany F, Eleventh Minnesota Infantry, under 
Capt. J. W. Plummer. He remained in the 
service until July 11, 1S65, when he was dis- 
charged at Fort Snelling, and came back to 
this county, locating on section 36, Alton 
Township, where he now lives. He carries 
on, at present, a more extensive dairy farm 
than any ])arty in Waseca County, commenc- 
ing this branch of his business in 1880. He has 
from thirty to forty head of full-blood Jersey 
cattle, besides a large number of grades. His 
large barn, built in 1887, is 42x90 feet on the 



476 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



ground, and capable of holding 120 tons of 
hay, and also contains three silos, holding 
about 350 tons of green fodder, he being the 
first in Waseca County to commence the 
system of ensilage. October 20, 1S70, he 
and Harriet Old field were united in mar- 
riage. She is a native of Steuben County, 
N. Y., born August 20, 18-14, and a daughter 
of Samuel and Lucretia (Jaynes) Oldfield. 
Tiie former raised six children : Mary Ann, 
Reuben, Tiiomas II., William M., Jessie and 
Harriet. Mr. Oldfield died in 1S6S; the 
mother is still living in Williamsport, Pa. 
Mr. and ilrs. Lamb are the parents of two 
children : Walter E., born August 12, 1878, 
and Ina E., Ijorn January 20, ISSl. In 1874 
Mr. Lamb was elected to the Legislature on 
the Democratic ticket, and has served in 
sevei-al township offices, always with credit 
and honor. 

In the XVII Ith Legislature, that met in 
1876, Peter McGovern still represented AVa- 
seca County in the Senate, Robert Earl and 
Kelsey Curtis in the House. 

In 1877 the XlXth Legislature held its 
session. P. C. Eailey was our representative 
in tlie Senate ; F. Keenan and Anthony 
Sampson in the House. 

Hon. Phiio C. Baile}' is a native of Onon- 
daga County, N. Y., born October 15, 1S2S. 
He was reared and educated in the ])lace of 
liis nativity, where he remained until 1S5(), 
when he came west to Minnesota, locating 
first at Faribault, where lie remained until 
the following j'ear, when he came to Wilton, 
where he engaged in the hardware business. 
In 1861 he was elected to the lower house 
of the State Legislature, and sat in the 
session of 1862, representing the 16th dis- 
trict. In the fall of 1863 he was elected to 
the office of county treasurer, which he 
filled for two years, to the satisfaction of all. 
When the town of Waseca was started in 
the summer of 1867, Air. Bailey removed to 
that place, putting up the building where he 
now is, and, in company with George W. 
Watkins, opened the first hardware estab- 



lishment in the rising young village, and is 
still the leading merchant in that line. In 
1876 he was elected to the State Senate, and 
served during the session of 1877 and 187S. 
In June, 1857, P. C. Bailey and Airs Slo- 
cum were united in mai-riage, and they 
Avere the parents of two children : Kate 
and Gertrude. IMrs. Bailey died September, 
1865; and December 27, 1867, Mr. Badey 
was again married, this time to Lorinda 
Dodge. The\' are the parents of two chil- 
dren : Fi'eil. and Lena. Mr. Baile}' is promi- 
nently identified with the business interests 
of Waseca, and takes rank with the leading 
public spirited citizens of the city. He is a 
member of Tuscan Lodge, No. 77, Ancient 
Free and Accepted Masons; and of Gyrene 
Commandery, No. 9, Knights Templar, of 
Owatonna. 

Hon. Anthony Sampson was born in Seans- 
vard, Norway, August 21, 1827, and was 
reared in that country. Novembei' 11, lsl<>, 
he was united in marriage with Anna 
Thovsdatter, the officiating clerg\-nian being 
Rev. Romka, of the Lutheran Church. The 
bride was a native of Norway, born August 
12, 1825. They left their native land May 
15, 1853, and on landing in America at once 
proceeded to Rock County, Wis., where they 
arrived July 10 the same 3'ear. The}' re- 
mained there three years, and finally con- 
cluded to remove to Alinnesota. Eight 
families startetl together, as detailed in the 
history of New Richland Township, and 
overcoming all obstacles, reached the above 
town June 10, 1856, where Mr. Sampson 
took up a claim on section 14, where he now 
resides. Mr. and Airs. Samj)S()n are the 
parents of seven children, the two oldest of 
whom were born in Norway : So]ihia, born 
in the 3'ear 1847; Olave, February 14,1852; 
Carl A., November 22, 1854; Aliana, De- 
cember 17, 1856 ; Sinna, November 6, 1861 ; 
Andrew, Alarch 13, 1866, and Julian, De- 
cember 26, 1867. Air. Sampson's pioneer 
house, like many others, was built of logs, 
with a sod roof, and was Init 14x16 feet in 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



477 



size, but he now lias good buildings on bis 
productive and well tilled farm of 120 acres 
of land. He represented this county in 
the Legislature in 18T7, as detailed above. 

In tbe XXth Legislature, which assem- 
bled January S, 1878, P. C. Bailey was 
still the senator from this county; and J. 
O. Chandler and Fenton Keenan were the 
representatives in the House. 

Hon. J. O. Chandler came to Waseca 
County in 1866. He located in the old town 
of Janesville, where he entered the mercantile 
trade. He was appointed postmaster there 
the ne.xt year (1867) and retained the office 
until 1870. When the new town of Janes- 
ville started, Mr. Chandler was the first to 
take advantage of the new location, and 
erected the first store in the town, moving 
his goods from the old village. He con- 
tinued in the general merchandise trade for 
two years after that. In 1873, in company 
with Dr. K. O. Craig, he put in a complete 
drug stock, which they have continued since 
that time. In February, Chandler & Craig 
purchased the interest of Henry Chase, of the 
firmofCiiase & Cordrey, general merchants, 
and since that time have been in that line 
of trade also. Mr. Chandler was elected to 
the State Legislature in the fall of 1876, serv- 
ing that winter and the following fall at the 
extra session. Mr. Chandler is a native of 
the State of JMaine, being born in Dexter, 
Penobscot Count}', September 21, 1837. His 
parents were John C. and Lucey B. Chandler. 
At the age of fifteen, Mr. Chandler went 
into the store of his father and uncle, who 
were partners in business, and two years 
later started for himself, running a peddler's 
wagon, which business he followed for a 
time. In 1857 he came to Minnesota and 
located in Pleasant Grove. In 1858 he went 
west to Idaho, but not liking it there, re- 
turned to Minnesota after a year's absence, 
settling in Winona, where he remained until 
1863. Lie then entered the United States 
service as paymaster's clerk, and served 
as such until 1865, when he again returned 



to this State and went on the road as sales- 
man for J. D. Blake & Co., of Rochester. 
He came to Janesville one year later as 
already detailed. Since coming here Mr. 
Chandler has always taken an active interest 
in whatever would be of any advantage to 
the village or the interests of the people, 
and is to-day one of Janesville's most enter- 
prising and substantial men. 

January 7, 1879, the XXIst Legislature 
was convened. In the Senate, S. B. Will- 
iams, elected by the Prohibition party, rep- 
resented Waseca County, and in the House, 
John Thompson and J. S. Abell. Mr. Wil- 
liams was an old settler of the county of 
Steele, and had located at the village of 
Waseca among the first comers, where he en- 
gaged in the lumber business, and afterward 
in grain-buying. He is now a resident of 
Steele County. John Thompson, a pioneer 
of Waseca Count}', having settled here in 
1856, was a farmer at the time of his elec- 
tion to the Legislature, living at that time 
in jSew Richland Township. Lie now re- 
sides near Albert Lea. 

Hon. John S. Abell is a. native of Oswego 
County, N. Y., born July 22, ISU. His 
father died in 1841, and John lived with 
his grandfather for a few years, when he had 
to get a living for himself. He remained in 
the county of his birth until 1856, when he 
came to Winona Count\% Minn., where he 
remained about two months and then came 
to Otisco Township, Waseca County, where 
he has lived ever since. 

Mr. Abell was married in Winona County 
August 11, 1859, to Miss Hannah Ilarshman, 
she being a resident of that county. They 
have had born to them eight children, six 
girls and two boys, as follows : Marie, Sarah, 
Permelia, Helena L., Emma and Jennie, the 
two latter being twins. The boys' names are 
John H. and Irving O. Sarah was born July 
13, 1861; Permelia, born May 20, 1867; 
Irving O., born January 3, 1S72; Helena L., 
born April 23, 187-1 ; Emma and Jennie, born 
July 13, 1876, all of whom are living and at 



478 



HISTORY Of WASECA COUNTY. 



home with their parents except Marie and 
John H. Marie was married to Charles 
Scouton, November, 1878, and John H. died 
January 16, 1882. 

Mr. Abell's mother's maiden name was Per- 
melia Park, and she was man-ied to Harley 
O. Abell in October, 1838, and after her hus- 
band's death she married Joseph Gallop in 
1843, and died in 1847. J. S. Abell has been 
town clerk for twenty j^ears, chairman 
supervisors, one year, assessor, two years, 
and has been elected justice of the peace 
twice, and now holds the office of justice of 
the peace, and was representative in the Leg- 
islature in 1879, being elected on the Prohi- 
bition ticket. He owns 240 acres of land, 
about all of which is under cultivation, 
has made the improvements himself, and 
has a fine grove, which surrounds the build- 
ings, that he started from seeds and slips 
or cuttings, and some of the trees are now 
over two feet in diameter. Mr. Abell's 
brother, Irving L., was born February 23, 
1837, and was the first book-keeper in the 
penitentiary at Stillwater, in 1855, and was 
afterward clerk in the Stillwater postoffice. 
He went from tiiere to Michigan and was 
distributing clerk there about one year, 
wiien he was transferred to St. Louis and re- 
mained there till some time in 1864, when 
he went to Tennessee, and from there he 
went to Oakland, CaL, where he engaged in 
the publishing business for a few years and 
tlien went to Colfax, Whitman County, 
W. T., where he is now publishing the 
Colfax Commoner. His sister Jennie is now 
in Oakland, CaL, engaged in the poultry 
business, and is doing well. His brother, 
William H., came to Minnesota in 1860 
and enlisted in First Minnesota Infantry, 
served four years and six months and died 
in AVinona in February, 1885. The widow 
and three children (two boj's and one girl) 
are still living in Winona. 

Hon. P. S. McCormick was tlie senator 
from this district, and Christoph Wagner 
and D. J. Dodge, the representatives in the 



XXIId Legislature, which met January, 
1881. This was the first assembly un- 
der the biennial session clause. Senator 
McCormick came to the village of Waseca 
in its infancy, and was here engaged in the 
lumber business. After his term of office 
had expired he sold out his interests in this 
count}' and removed to Hayward, Wis. 

Hon. Christoph Wagner, of the firm of 
Wagner Brothers, of New Richland, is a na- 
tive of Prussia, Germany, and was born on 
the 7th day of November, 1842. Wlien 
he was but five years of age, his parents, 
Jacob and Margaret (Morton) Wagner, emi- 
grated to America, and settled in Sheboy- 
gan County, Wis. There he was reared 
and there received his education, remain- 
ing with his parents until 1861, when the 
dark cloud of war gathering over our 
fair land, he enlisted in Company A, Ninth 
Wisconsin Infantry, and served for three 
years and three months, and was discharged 
in December, 1864, and then returned totlie 
Badger State. On the 10th of December, 
1867, he was united in marriage with Mary 
Zieger, while in Wisconsin. In 1869 he 
came to Waseca County, locating at that 
time on section 18, New Richland Town- 
sliip, on a farm, where he remained until 
January, 1885, when he bought out the in- 
terests of A. J. Newgard, in t]ieluml)er busi- 
ness. ]Mi'. Wagner was a member of the 
Legislature during the session of 1881 and 
the extra one of the same year. 

Hon. D. J. Dodge came to Waseca County 
in 1857 when he was twelve j'ears of age. 
His })arents, who were Samuel and Mai-iaA. 
(Zuba) Dodge, came from Tioga County, 
N. Y., and settled in the town of Wilton. 
The elder Mr. Dodge remained there until 
1862, when, witli the familj', he moved to 
Steele County, and in 1S64 started for 
Missouri, but died on the way there. D. J. 
remained with his father until eighteen years 
of age, when he went to Rochester, Minn., 
where he I'emained for a time. Later he 
went to Wabasha, where he stayed a little 



tllStORY OF WASECA COttHTY. 



479 



while, but soon returned to Steele Count}'. 
November 1, 18(53, he enlisted in Company 
C, Second Minnesota Cavalry, and served in 
the army until November 17, 1865, when he 
was dischai'ged. After that he returned to 
Steele County, and in the spring of 18G6 
went to learn the tinner's trade at Wilton, 
serving three j'ears apprenticeship. When 
the town of Janesville started in 1869, he 
came here and has been in the hardware busi- 
ness since that time. Mr. Dodge was elected 
to the Legislature in the fall of 1880, taking 
his seat in January, 1881, and serving at the 
extra session that was called the following 
fall. July 31, 1870, he was united in mar- 
riage with Flora L. Long. They are the 
parents of five children : Edith L., Ethel 
M., Myra A., Seth Edmund and Ilarley D., 
deceased. 

Under the apportionment act of 1881, 
Waseca was erected into the 11th district 
and given one senator and one representa- 
tive. In January, 1883, the Legislature met, 
at which time Dr. E. O. Craig, of Janesville, 
represented the district in the Senate. J. C. 
White was the member of the lower house. 

Dr. R. O. Craig came to the county of 
Waseca in 1866, and located in the old 
village of Janesville, where he engaged in 
the practice of medicine. AVhen the new 
town first started he came there, in the fall of 
1869, and followed his profession for many 
years. In 1874, in company Avith J. O. 
Chandler, he started in the drug business, 
which he still continues. He is a native of 
New York State, born in 183-1, and is the son 
of John and Mary (Ballagh) Craig. The 
Doctor commenced the study of medicine 
at Ogdensburg, N. Y, when eighteen years 
of age, and graduated from Albanj' Med- 
ical College, in 1855. He entered into 
practice in the city of Albany, N. Y., 
and remained there until 1856, when he was 
appointed assistant surgeon in the United 
States army and served five years on the 
Pacific coast. This position he then resigned 
and went back East. He was later ou com- 



missioned surgeon of the Tenth New York 
Infantry, serving until the close of the war. 
In 1882 he was elected to the State Senate 
and represented this county for four years. 
He is one of the leading, substantial citizens 
of his town and county, and is doing his part 
toward the advancement of Janesville and 
the community, and merits the confidence 
reposed in him by his fellow townsmen and 
the people of the county in general. 

J. C. White came to Waseca in 1870 and 
engaged in the hardware business for about 
a year, and then sold a part interest to A. C. 
Krassin, and under the firm name of White 
& Krassin, they carried on the business until 
December, 1882, when he disposed of his 
remaining interest to Thos. Bouchei'. Mr. 
White has lately been devoting his attention 
to the manufacture of a patented article of his 
own invention. Mr. White was born in 
Ireland in 1837, and was brought to the 
United States when some four years old hj 
his parents, who settled in Wisconsin. In 
Jul\r, 1865, he came to Minnesota and 
located at Faribault. Shortly after that he 
removed to Owatonna, but in about a year 
went to Austin, from whence he came to 
Waseca. He was married in 1876, to Anna 
Tropejr, of Watertown, Wis., and the}' are 
the parents of two children, Anna and May. 
He was elected to the State Legislature, and 
served during the term for which he was 
chosen. 

In the XXIVth Assembly of the State 
Legislature, held in January and Febru- 
arv. 1885, E. O. Craig still continued to 
represent this county in the Senate. M. D. 
L. CoUester, then a prominent attorney' of 
the village of Waseca, represented this county 
in the House. The latter is mentioned in 
connection with the bar of the county, in 
the chapter devoted to that profession. 

William G. Ward took his seat in the 
XXVth Legislature, in January, 1887, 
as the Senator representing the 11th 
district. In the House, M. W. Eyan was 



480 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtTNTY. 



intrusted with tiie interests of Waseca 
County. 

Hon. W. G. Ward, the present State 
Senator, is a native of Oneida County, N. 
Y., born December 27, 1830. He was reared 
upon a farm, attending a private school in 
Booneville, from which he graduated. He 
spent some eight years in the study of 
Greek and Latin, although mathematics 
was his favorite study, and in which he was, 
and is remarkaijiy ])roficient. He held a 
tutorship in this academy for some years, 
thus paying for his own tuition, by teaching 
the^younger scholars. When he had reached 
the age of seventeen years, he commenced 
his career as civil engineer, with S. B. Will- 
iams, on the Black River canal, remaining 
witli him, and his successor, D. C. Genney, 
for five years and three months, and was 
then dismissed on account of his politics, he 
being a Whig. He then formed an engage- 
ment with the Long Island Railroad, as 
chief engineer and road-master. In these 
and other capacities he remained two years, 
during which time he built two branches of 
the road, viz.: the Hempstead and thellicks- 
''ille. He was then appointed superintend- 
ent of car and engine repairs for the whole 
road, with his office located at Brooklyn, 
although the shops were at Jamaica Plains. 
In December, 18.52, Mr. Ward was united 
in marriage with Martha E. Dodge, and 
they were the parents of two children : 
Clarence T., now of Redwood Falls, and 
Emma L., now Mrs. Hendrickson, of St. 
Paul. After two years spent by Mr. Ward 
as superintendent of the repair shops, he 
left this road and engacred with the Lake 
Ontario & Auburn Railroad, wliere he was 
first assistant engineer to his former em- 
ployer, S. B. Williams. About a year passed 
here, and then he transferred himself to the 
Utica & Black River Road, as first assistant 
engineer, under D. C. Genney, where he re- 
mained until 1856. Resigning on account of ill 
health, he came west, during that 3'ear, and 
took charo'e of tiie work as chief engineer on 



what was then known as the Watertowu & 
Madison Railroad, now a part of the Chi- 
cago, Milwauliee 6c St. Paul system. He 
then had charge of the construction of tiie 
Oconomowoc ct Columbus Railroad. Soon 
after this, the crisis of 1857 precipitating 
everything into linancial ruin, and in 1858 
all i-ailroad work stopjiing, Mr. Ward seeing 
that for a time his business must be sus- 
pended, began the study of law with 
AVood & Blake, of JMadison, where he 
remained some six months. lie afterward 
pursued his studies with Geo. B. Smith, 
]\[att. Car])enter and others, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar, Harlow S. Orton being 
judge and Lucius Fairchild clerk of the 
court. He then commenced the practice of 
his profession in JMadison, and was engaged 
in defending a client who had killed a man 
in a cranberry marsh, when the tocsin of war 
was sounded throughout our fair land. 
Sumter was fired on, and the court ad- 
journed to go to the front. The man was on 
trial when this occurred, and Mr. Ward's 
only plan was to get the man pardoned, 
which he did, thus ending his law practice. 
Late in 18C1 Mr. Ward was appointed chief 
clerk in the postoffice at Madison, under E. 
AV. Keyes, and held that position for three 
3'ears. Recruiting men for all the batteries 
and. regiments sent from Wisconsin next oc- 
cupied his attention. At the close of the 
war, in company with Major Blake, he built 
and operated a sawmill on the Little Wolf 
River, which fourteen months later they 
sold to the Wisconsin Manufacturing Co. 
His wife having died in Jefferson, Wis., 
in November, 1865, he took his two 
children, Clarence and Anna, east, where he 
left them witli relatives, and came back 
west. On his arrival here he took charge of 
the construction of the Winona & St. Peter 
Railroad as chief engineer, and pushed it to 
a completion in 1868. December 14, 1867, 
he and Ella C. Trowbridge were united in 
marriage, and they are the parents of four 
children : Mattie E., Roscoe Percy, Florence 




^4'^' -w^^^fw^j^ 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



483 



T. and Earl W. Since his connection with 
the Winona & St. Peter road, Mr. Ward has 
made his home in Waseca, he being identi- 
fied with it from its first inception, being 
one of the original proprietors and pro- 
jectors, and having large real estate interests 
here. Through force of character and great 
native ability Mr. Ward has pushed him- 
self through adverse circumstances, until he 
stands to-day one of the leading citizens 
of this section of the State. In the fall 
of 1872 Mr. Ward was elected to a seat 
in the XVth and XVIth Legislatures as 
State Senator, and in 18S6 was again 
chosen to fill the same position and is 
now the incumbent of that office. In 1880 
he was the candidate of the Republican 
party for Congress, but owing to a split in 
the party he faded of an election, although 
carrying Waseca County. 

Hon. Michael W. Ryan, the present mem- 
ber of the lower house, was born in North- 
field, Minn , May 1, 1802, and is the son 
of Michael Ryan, a native of Tipperary, 
Ireland. His father was born in 1826. and 
came to America in 18.51, and worked in 
several States on various railroads. In 18C3 
the family came to Waseca County, and 
located in Byron Township, where the family 
now reside. The father was the parent of 
four children : Alice, born February 9, 1859 ; 
Thomas, born August 31, 1860; Michael W., 
born May 1, 1862, and Elizabeth, born Sep- 
tember 18, 1865. Michael W. has held the 
office of township clerk, and in the fail of 
1886 was elected to the State Legislature, 
being the youngest member of the same in 
the assembly of 1887. He introduced some 
twelve bills, the most important of which 
was that compelling insurance companies to 
pay the full face of their policy in case of 
loss. He owns a good farm on section 8, in 
Byron Township. 

COUNTY AUDITORS. 

The first to occupy this office in the 
county of Waseca was S. J. Willis, who 



entered upon its duties January 1, 1860, and 
held it for three years. Mr. Willis was for 
some years connected with the office of clerk 
of the district coui't, and is mentioned in 
that connection. 

John C. Ide was the next to occupy this 
office, being appointed thereto in January, 
1863, on the resignation of Mr. Willis, and 
entered upon the discharge of his duties at 
once. Colonel Ide, as he was called, was a 
New Yorker of New England parentage, 
and came to Minnesota in an early day. 
Previous to leaving the East he had been 
employed in teaching music and giving con- 
certs. He first located in Rice County, 
which he represented in the Vllth Terri- 
torial Legislature, in 1856. In the fall of 
that year he came to Wilton, having been 
appointed one of the commissioners to or- 
ganize this county. During this same year 
he was the candidate for the office of lieu- 
tenant governor on the Republican ticket, 
which was defeated. On account of his 
political prominence, he was made part 
owner of Wilton, and was instrumental in 
building up that village. He was very un- 
fortunate in his financial affairs, but every- 
where respected for his social qualities and 
accommodating disposition. He was an active 
and zealous member of the Episcopal Church, 
and contributed liberally toward the erec- 
tion of the church of that denomination in 
Wilton. In the fall of 1866 he died of heart 
disease while holding the office of auditor. 

On the death of Col. J. C. Ide, the board 
of county commissioners appointed C. C. 
Coraee to fill the vacancy for the unexpired 
term. At the following election in Novem- 
ber, 1866, he was chosen by the people to fill 
the same office, and I'eelected his own suc- 
cesor for several terms, holding it until 1870. 
He was succeeded by Warren Smith, who 
was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by 
the retirement of Mr. Comee, and filled it for 
the balance of the term. 

Edgar Cronkhite was elected auditor at 
the election of 187o, and entered upon the 



484 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



duties of the office, March 1, 1871. He was 
reelected in 1873, 1875, 1877 and 1879, thus 
holding the office for ten years, and was an 
active and able officer. 

Edgar Cronkhite is a son of George and 
Parraelia Cronkhite, and was born at Glens 
Falls, N. Y., January 20, 1826. He 
was fitted for college, after receiving his 
preliminary schooling at Glens Falls Acad- 
emy, and entered Williams College as fresh- 
man in the fall of 1845. After leaving col- 
lege he spent the following four years in the 
city of Washington and in travel in the 
South. In 1852 he returned home, and later 
in the year began the study of law in Buffalo 
and was duly admitted to the bar in that 
city in the fall of 1853. He then removed 
to Neenah, Wis., where he was engaged in 
the practice of his profession, and served as 
register of deeds in Winnebago County, Wis., 
at Oshkosh where he also was engaged in 
practice. He subsequently removed to 
Kochester, Minn., and hanging out his 
shingle, practiced law there. During his 
residence at that place he took part, as lieu- 
tenant of a cavalry company-, in the Sibley 
expedition after the Sioux Indians in 1862, 
and was adjutant at Forts Snelling and 
Eidgeley. In 1867 he came toWaseca County, 
where he has made his residence since. In 
1870 he was elected county auditor and 
served ten years. He has retired from active 
business, except loaning his money and that 
of other parties, and is very comfortably 
fixed on one of his farms near Alma City, 
in Freedom Township. He is a talented 
man and a fine speaker, and in his boyhood 
days took the first prize for declamation at 
Williams College in 1846. He has delivered 
many public speeches since coming here, 
and is among the best known men in the 
county. 

C. E. Crane was the next to fill the office 
of auditor, being inducted into that office, 
January 1, 1881. In the fall of 1882 he was 
reelected and thus served the people of the 
county for four years. 



S. Swenson, the present auditor, was 
elected November 4, 1884, and reelected in 
1886. 

S. Swenson, the present auditor, is a na- 
tive of Norwaj'^, born at Fredericksvoern, 
September 3, 1849. In the spring of 1864 
he shipped as sailor on board of a vessel 
bound for Belfast, Ireland, and afterward 
made many voyages to various ports on the 
Atlantic and up the Mediterranean Sea. In 
1868 he came to America, and worked as 
blacksmith and wagonmaker, until he came 
to Waseca in 1877, where he carried on the 
latter business until ISSl, when he became 
deputy auditor, and in 1884 became auditor. 
In 1882 he was married to Julia Anderson. 
They have one adopted child, Clara. 

REGISTER OF DEEDS. 

At the time when the organization of the 
county was oi'dered, the governor of the 
Territory appointed Tarrant Putnam to fiU 
the office of register of deeds until the elec- 
tion of a successor. He entered upon his du- 
ties in March, 1857, and held the office until 
June following, when he was succeeded by 
J. W. Crawford, who had been elected at 
the special election held in the latter month. 
Mr. Crawford was a Kew Englander, and, 
shortly' before the late war, left the county 
and located elsewhere in the State. He en- 
listed in the army during the late war, 
and after that settled in Chicago. 

January 1, 1858,E. A. Eice took possession 
of this office, and served the people two 
years. This gentleman had come to Waseca 
among the early settlers, and was quite pop- 
ular. On the organization of the Fifth Min- 
nesota Infantry, early during the late civil 
war he enlisted, became captain of Company 
G, of that regiment, and afterward rose to 
the rank of major in the United States ser- 
vice. He is now the county treasurer of 
Pipestone County, this State. He is a native 
of New Hampshire. 

Tarrant Putnam, being elected to fill the 
office of register of deeds in 1860, commenced 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



485 



the duties of that office at the beginning of 
the following year, and filled it for four 
years. 

H. P. Norton succeeded Mr. Putnam in 
the duties of this office. He served during 
the years 1864 and 1865. 

H. P. Norton is a native of Yates County, 
N. Y., born May 26, 1823, removing with his 
parents the following year to Richford, Tioga 
County. He remained at home until he had 
reached the age of twenty-one years, learning 
the trade of his father, who was a blacksmith. 
On reaching his majority, he left home and 
for two years labored at this trade and then 
started West. Onarrivingat Woodstock, 111., 
about the Istof June, 1846, he went to work and 
remained there several years, then removed to 
Chicago. Being employed at that place and at 
Michigan City, Ind., in tlie railroad shops, he 
passed his time until 1856, when he came to 
Minnesota, arriving at Owatonna in July. 
He worked at the forge there for Joel 
Wilson until fall, when he removed to Wil- 
ton, and opened a shop on liis own account. 
In company with a younger brother, who 
joined him the next year, he ran tliis business 
until 1859, when he was elected clerk of the 
district court to fiU the vacancy occasioned 
by the removal of Thos. L. Paige, who 
had been elected to that office. After 
the expiratidn of this term he was appointed 
postmaster at Wilton, and held it for two 
years. In 1863 was elected register of deeds 
and for two years served in that capacity. 
During the first year he was made agent lor 
the American Express Company and held 
that position many years. On leaving his 
public office he entered the banking house of 
Baldwin & Kittredge, remaining with tliem, 
making abstracts of land, until he removed 
to the village of Waseca, since which he has 
devoted his attention to real estate. He was 
married at Woodstock, March 2, 1863, to 
Anna G. Kimball ; they have one son, Char- 
les N., now agent for American Express Co., 
at Tracy, Minn. Mr. Norton's father, Amzi, 
was born in Connecticut, February 12, 1783, 



h is mother being a native of the same State. 
They were the parents of ten children, five 
of whom are living. Mr. Norton was made 
a Mason in the Woodstock Lodge thirty -nine 
years ago, and is a prominent member of 
that fraternity. In 1884 he retired from act- 
ive business on account of ill health, and is 
passing his last 3'ears in a quiet way. 

On the 1st of January, 1866, Hiram A. 
Mosher, a one-armed ex-Union soldier, on be- 
ing duly qualified, entered the office as reg- 
ister of deeds, and serving the people of the 
county to their satisfaction was reelected 
several terms, performing the duties of the 
office until January 1, 1880, when he gave 
way to a successor. 

Chai'les San Galli was the next incumbent 
of this office, being elected thereto in the fall 
of 1879. On the 1st of January, 1880, he 
entered upon the duties of the office, and ful- 
filling them to the satisfaction of the people, 
was reelected in 1881, serving in all four 
years. 

Charles San Galli is a native of Prussia, 
Germany, born July 9, 1822. His parents 
were Carl and Henrietta (Lubcke) Sau Galli, 
natives of the same place, and who were the 
parents of six children : five bo^^s and one 
girl. Our Mr. San Galli began life for himself 
when about twenty -two years of age, first in 
the mercantile business in Prussia, and then 
came to the United States in the year 1849. 
On arriving here in the spring of that year 
he first located in New York City, where he 
remained for about twelve years, and then 
returned to his native land. Eight years 
later he returned to America, settling at Al- 
himy, N. Y. From there he came to Min- 
nesota and to Waseca County. This was in 
the year 1869. He located in Woodville 
Township, where he now lives. In 1859 he 
was united in marriage with Emily Shep- 
hard, a native of Albany, N. Y., who died in 
February, 1869. They were the parents of 
four children : Elizabeth, Theodore, Carl and 
Emily, all of whom are living at home. Mr. 
San Galli is a Democrat in politics and a 



486 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Lutheran in religion. He is a widely known 
and highly respected citizen. 

At the beginning of the year 1884 H. A. 
Mosher again entered this office and served 
until November 13, the same year, when he 
died, leaving a vacancy. He was one of the 
old settlers of Otisco Township, having set- 
tled there in 1856. During the late war he 
enlisted in Company F, Tenth Minnesota In- 
fantry, and bravely gained for himself the 
name of an excellent soldier, and returning 
to his family, his empty sleeve showed that 
he, like others, had been compelled to leave 
his arm upon tiie field as his offering upon 
the altar of his country. 

On the death of Mr. Mosher the board ap- 
pointed August F. Kruger to fill the vacancy, 
although he had not solicited it. His pleas- 
ant manners and accommodating disposition 
being aj^preciated by the people, he was 
elected his own successor, and is the present 
incumbent of the office. Mr. Kruger is 
a native of Germany, born September 
20, 1851. He remained at home in the 
fatherland until he had reached the age of 
sixteen, when, crossing the ocean, he came to 
America, first settling in Marquette County, 
Wis. After remaining there for about a 
year he removed to Hipon, the same State, 
where he entered a store as clerk and sales- 
man, and gained his first insight into mer- 
cantile affairs. Four years later he went to 
Eau Claire County, Wis., where he was en- 
gaged in the same business, and remained 
two years. In 1875 he came to Waseca 
County and located at the village of Janes- 
ville, where he entered the store of Chase & 
Condry. In November, 1884, on the death 
of H. A. Mosher, while Mr. Kruger was 
standing behind the counter engaged in 
business, without any solicitation on his part 
the board of county commissioners appointed 
him to the office of register of deeds. In the 
fall of 1886 he was reelected by the people 
to the same position. April 10, 1879, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Emelie 
Thiese, of New Ulm. 



COUNTY TKEASURER. 

At the first meeting of the board of com- 
missioners, on the 16th of March, 1857, they 
appointed W. S. Baker to the office of treas- 
urer of the county, who immediately entered 
upon the duties of the office, not very ardu- 
ous at that time, as the county treasury was 
empty as j'et. He, however, held the office 
until the beginning of 1858. He was a 
native of the State of Maine, where he was 
born April 28, 1808. In early life he emi- 
grated to Ohio, and while at Marion, that 
State, was united in marriage with Clarissa 
B. Mosher, December 30, 1841. He removed 
with his family to Dodge County, VV^is., in 
1844, and was among the pioneers of that 
region. In 1856 he moved farther west, 
coming to Otisco. He was a man in delicate 
health in some respects, and by some of a 
hardier nature judged somewhat harslily. 
He was quite active in public affairs. He 
died at Waseca, March 6, 1887, in the sev- 
enty-ninth year of his age. It has been 
remarked of him : " It is safe to say that 
no man or woman ever went hungry from 
his door, when he had anything to spare." 

Jesse I. Stewart, elected at the fall election 
of 1857, was the next incumbent of the 
office, and was reelected in the fall of 1859, 
but havmg been, also, chosen as the member 
of the lower house of the State Legislature, 
at the same time, on the 11th of January, 
1860, the county commissioners, after declar- 
inir it a violation of the law of the State for 
a man to hold both these offices, resolved 
that a vacancy existed in the office of county 
treasurer, and appointed J. S. Rice to fill the 
same. Mr. Stewart was one of the promi- 
nent men of the early days of this county 
and lived here for some years. He removed 
to Rice County from here many years ago, 
and in 1879 emigrated to the Sinslaw Val- 
ley, Ore. 

J. S. Rice was a native of Oliio, and came 
to this county in 1856 or 1857, and settled in 
what is now New Richland, close to the 
Otisco line, afterward removing to the vil- 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



487 



lage of Wilton. During the Avar he entered 
the service of the United States, and after 
gallantly serving his country, on his dis- 
charge moved to the State of Iowa. He 
held the office of Waseca county treasurer 
for two years. 

He was succeeded by George T. White in 
March, 1862. In August of the same year 
he enlisted, but the board of commissioners 
instead of declaring the office vacant by 
the books and records of the courthouse, 
seem to have allowed him to remain treas- 
urer, although absent, doing his work by 
deput}^. Mr. White was a native of New 
Hampshire, and came to Minnesota on at- 
taining his majority. He first settled in 
what is now St. Mary Township, and in the 
faU of 1859 was chosen to represent this 
county in the State Legislature, with Jesse I. 
Stewart. Enlisting in 1862, while county 
treasurer, he was chosen captain of Company 
F, Tenth Minnesota Infantry Regiment, and 
with his company was ordei-ed to the fron- 
tier to repel the Indian attacks of that year. 
The next season he, with a portion of his 
command, accom[)anieU General Sibley across 
the plains. Returning in the fall he was 
ordered South, and was in active service 
until the battle of Nashville, where he fell, 
pierced by many balls. His body now lies 
near his boyhood's happy home, among the 
granite hills of New Hampshire. A young 
man of ability and affable manners, he had 
many friends here among the old settlers. 

P. C. Bailey was the next incumbent of 
the office, entering upon the duties of the 
same at the beginning of the year 1864, and 
serving two years. He is stiU a resident of 
the county, engaged in the hardware business 
at Waseca, and is mentioned at length in this 
chapter under the head of Legislative Repre- 
sentation. 

With the beginning of the year 1806 
George R. Buckman, now a resident of 
Waseca, entered upon the duties of this office. 
In 1867 and 1869 he was reelected to the 
same position. At the election of 1871 the 



official returns showed that Dr. R. O.. Craig 
had a majority of three, but on contesting 
the matter on account of some illegality in 
some votes, the court decided that G. R. 
Buckman was duly elected to the office of 
county treasurer, and he was accordingl', 
sworn in. He thus served the people eight 
years in this responsible position, to the 
entire satisfaction of the people of the 
county. 

George R. Buckman, one of the old set- 
tlers of Waseca County, is a native of 
Crown Point, N. Y., born December 23, 1832, 
and is the son of Silas and Huldah (Sisson) 
Buckman. He remained in the place of his 
birth until he had attained the age of 
seventeen years, when he went to Man- 
chester, N. H., where his time was 
employed in working in a stoi'e and attend- 
ing school alternately, for about four years. 
In 1855 he came west to Minnesota, locating 
at first at Winona. In 1S57 he came to 
Waseca County, and settled at St. Mary, 
where he worked at the carpenter's trade 
until May 23, 1861, when he enlisted in 
Company G, First Minnesota Infantry 
Regiment, the "Old First,'' as it is 
familiarly called, and with that famous 
body of men participated in all the bloody 
battles, from the first battle of Bull Run 
to Bristow Station, Va. He was mustered 
out with the regiment May 5, 1864, and 
returned to Minnesota. The same year 
he was nominated for the office of county 
auditor, but declined to serve. In 1865 
he was elected to the position of county 
treasurer, which he retained for eight j'ears. 
On the expiration of his last term he entered 
into the real-estate business at Waseca, 
whither he had removed on the transfer to 
that place of the county-seat from Wilton. 
He was the founder of the People's Bank, of 
which he is the present cashier. He was 
united in marriage, March 12, 1867, with 
Isadore A. Wood, and they have been the 
parents of three children: Marion, Royal 
and Harley, who died January 23, 1869. 



488 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtTNTY. 



Mr. Buckraan is a member of Tuscan Lode^e, 
No. 77, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; 
Waseca Chapter No. 26, Eoyal Arch Masons ; 
Cyrene Commandery, No. 9, Knights Temp- 
lar, and of Lewis McKune Post, No. 27, 
Grand Army of the Eepublic. 

Mr. Buckman was succeeded, in 1874, by 
Warren Smith, who held the office of county 
treasurer for four years. Mr. Smith is 
noticed at length under the legislative head- 
ing, he havnng served the county in the 
Xlth Legislature. 

Charles McKenna, the present county 
treasurer, was lirst elected to that office in 
the fall of 1879, and has held it ever since, 
being reelected twice. Charles McKenna, 
the present treasurer, is a native of Canada, 
having been born in 1837. He is the son 
of Daniel and Anna (Flanegan) McKenna. 
Eemaining at home until 1868, Mr. Mc- 
Kenna struck out for the West, coming to 
Faribault, Eice County, Minn., where he 
entered the store of L. Barber, as salesman. 
After a year's service he, in company with 
C. L. La Grave, established a business stand 
of their own, carrying a stock of general 
merchandise. Six years later he sold out, 
and coming to the city of Waseca formed 
the copartnership of Forbes & McKenna, 
dealers in general merchandise, which after 
about two years was dissolved, Mr. Mc- 
Kenna carrying on the business alone. This 
store he still operates. In the fall of 
1879, such was his popularity that he was 
elected county treasurer, and has been re- 
elected his own successor. 

CLEEK OF THE DISTRICT COURT. 

At the first court held in Waseca County, 
in 1857, F. L. Paige acted as the clerk, but 
only acted a short time when he went back 
East and H. P. Norton was appointed to 
this office, and at the fall election of that 
year, H. P. Norton was duly elected to this 
office and held it for four years. 

H. P. West entered upon the duties of this 
office in 1862, and for that and the succeed- 



ing year filled it to the satisfaction of all. 

N. E. Strong was the next incumbent of 
the office of clerk of the court, taking posses- 
sion January 1, 1864. He was reelected and 
served in all four years. He was one of 
the early settlers in this county, locating in 
what was called Plum Valley in 1856. He 
was a native of Ohio, and is now a resident 
of the State of California. 

S. J. Willis was the successor of Mr. 
Strong as clerk of the court, serving four 
years. Mr. Willis came to this county in 1856 
and located at Wilton, where he engaged in 
business. He was a native of Pennsylvania, 
and is now a resident of Washington, filling 
some clerical position in one of the depart- 
ments of the general government. 

James B. Hayden was the next to fill this 
important office. Entering upon its duties 
with the beginning of the year 1872, he was 
retained there by an appreciative people un- 
til the end of 1879. 

J. B. Hayden was born in Ireland Novem- 
ber 30, 1840, but left his native home when 
but two 3'ears of age and came to Canada 
with his parents, who'were Peter and Anna 
Hayden, where they remained until 1849. 
From there they moved to Portage City, 
Wis., at that time a new country, Mr. Hay- 
den coming from Milwaukee to his new 
home. He remained in Portage City some 
two 3'ears, when he removed to Marquette 
County. J B. Hayden lived with his parents 
until 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, 
Seventeenth Wisconsin Infantry, under Col. 
J. L. Doran, and served for three years, be- 
ing mustered into service January 2, 1862, 
and receiving his discharge Ma}' 5, 1865. He 
was in a number of battles, among others the 
battle of Atlanta, where he was struck on the 
wrist by a spent minie ball, which caused the 
loss of the use of his arm. He still has the bul- 
let in his possession, and retains it as a valu- 
able relic of his arm}' life. On the 7th of 
June, 1865, Mr. Hayden came to Waseca 
County, and in July of the same year located 
in the town of Alton, where he farmed until 



BISTORT OF WASECA COUNTY. 



489 



January, 1872. He then took charge of the 
office of clerk of the district court, having been 
elected to the same the preceding fall, and re- 
tained possession for twelve successive years. 
In 1884 he went to California, but only re- 
mained a short time, retui'ning to Waseca. 
Since May 1, 1885, he has had charge of Amer- 
ican Express Company's business. 

M. B. Keeley, the present clerk of tlie 
court, was first elected in the fall of 1879, 
and has been reelected twice. He is a native 
of Ireland, born in 1852, who was brought 
in 1856 by his parents, who located in Can- 
ada. In 1866 he came to Rock County, 
Wis., where he remained until coming to 
Waseca in 1873, when he engaged in the 
grocery business which he still continues. He 
was married May 1, 1876, to Mary A. Dela- 
ney. They are the parents of five children : 
James W., Mary A., Lena C, Emma and 
Arthur H. All are members of the Catholic 
Church. 

SHERIFF. 

Nathaniel Garland, the first sheriff of 
Waseca County, was appointed by the Gov- 
ernor to act in that capacity during the or- 
ganization of the county, in the spring of 
1857. At the special election, held in June 
of that year, he was elected to fill that office, 
and held it until the close of the year 1859. 
He, soon after the expiration of his term of 
office, removed to Iowa, where he engaged in 
raising sheep, but returned to Wilton in the 
spring of 1SG4, and engaged in the mercan- 
tile business with John Forest. In 1868 he 
sold out there, and together with J. A. Clag- 
horn, entered into tlie butcher business at 
the village of Waseca. He was united in 
marriage in 1863 with Miss L. D. Dodge. 
July 26, 1880, he was found dead under the 
waters of Clear Lake, drowned in less than 
five feet of water. 

In 1860 D. L. Wliipple succeeded to the 
office of sheriff of the county. He was re- 
elected, and served until the beginning of 
the year 1866. Mr. Whipple was a car- 
penter by trade, and worked at that both 



before and after his term in office. He was 
a prominent member of the Anti-Horse Thief 
Association, and a very popular man through- 
out the county. He died here February 4, 
1872. 

E. M. Broughton, elected in the fall of 
1865, entered upon the duties of the office of 
sheriff with the beginning of 1866, and 
served the people for two years. 

Seth W. Long was chosen by the people, 
at the election of 1867, to fill the office of 
sheriff, and was reelected in 1869, 1871, 
1873 and 1875, serving in all ten years. He 
is still a resident of the county. 

Mathew Keeley served as sheriff from Jan- 
uary, 1878, until January, 1882. 

Mr. Keeley was succeeded in 1882 by 
Huffh Wilson, who retained the office until 
the 1st of January, 1886. 

At the fall election of 1885 A. C. Krassin 
was chosen by the people of Waseca County 
to represent them in the office of sheriff, and 
is the present occupant of that position. 

August C. Krassin, the present sheriff, is 
also one of the hardware firm of Krassin & 
Boucher, and is a son of Martin Krassin, one 
of the earliest settlers of this county. Au- 
gust was born in Wisconsin, and when he 
was but a small child was brought by his par- 
ents to this county in June, 1855. They lo- 
cated in what is now the township of St. 
Mary, where August was reared. In 1880 
he came to Waseca City, where he engaged 
in business with J. C. White, but in 1882 
Thomas Boucher purchased the interest of 
Ml". White and the present firm was formed. 
They carry all lines of hardware, and are 
very heavy dealers in agricultural imple- 
ments. 

JUDGES OF PROBATE COURT. 

The first to occupy this office was J. A. 
Canfield, who was elected at the fall election 
of 1857. He continued to hold this office 
until 1860, when he made way for a suc- 
cessor. 

Job A. Canfield was born in Knox County, 
Ohio, January 20, 1824, and July 27, 1845, 



490 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



was maiTied, and came west to Dodge 
County, Wis., in October of the same year. 
He there took up a claim, but it was 
" jumped " by another party, and to avoid 
trouble, he left that part of the country and 
settled at Rolling Prairie, in the same State, 
where he located on eighty acres of school 
land, which he purchased. This he sold out in 
the spring of 1856, and came to this county, 
settling on section 3 of Otisco Township, 
taking up a claim of 1(30 acres of land. He 
afterwards purchased some sixty acres moi'e 
land on sections 3 and 4, August 12, 1862, 
he enlisted in Company F, Tentii Minnesota 
Infantry, and did excellent service in de- 
fense of his country and his country's flag, 
participating in all the battles in which his 
regiment was engaged, and was discharged 
at Memphis, Tenn., Ma\^ 17, 1865, when he 
returned to this county. He held the office 
of judge of the probate court for many 
years in this county, and died here January 
28, 1884. He and his wife, Mary A. Can- 
field, were the parents of seven children: 
Nancy B., born July 27, 1846, who was mar- 
ried January 2, 1875, to George W. Soule, 
of this county ; Henry O., born April 23, 
1848, married January 21, 1877, to Joseph- 
ine L. McKinster, and is a resident of Wa- 
seca ; Viola A., born August 2, 1850, mar- 
ried December 25, 1876, to George A. Onn, 
now in Le Sueur County, Minn. ; John M., 
born December 10, 1852, married August 
26, 1876, to Frances S. Morrison, resides in 
city of Waseca ; Lillie G., born August 6, 
1855, died August 18, 1859; Eunice, born 
April 13, 1S58, died October 10, 1875, and 
Ida May, born April 30, 1861. The widow, 
Mrs. Mary A. Canfield, resides on the old 
homestead with her daughter,. Ida May, 
although she rents the farm to a tenant. 
She is a member of the Methodist Church. 

H. D. Baldwin filled the office of probate 
judge during the years 1860 to 1863 inclu- 
sive. A sketch of Mr. Baldwin occui's else- 
where. 

P. Brink Enos was the judge of probate 



during the years 1S64 and 1865. A slight 
sketch of this gentleman is given among the 
early attorneys of this county, further on, 
in its proper place. 

Mr. Enos was succeeded in 1866 by James 
E. Child, who held the office until the last of 
1867, when he, too, " threw off the restraint 
of official life," and passed the office to 
liis successor, H. D. Baldwin, who again 
occupied the office until January 1, 1870, 
when he, in turn, was succeeded by J. A. 
Canfield. This second term of Judge Can- 
field lasted for eight years. 

At the beginning of the year 1878 Caleb 
Hallack entered upon the duties of this 
office, and served two years. 

In 1879 and 1880 S. D. Crump filled the 
position of probate judge. Mr. Crump is 
one of the leading attorne\^s of the county, 
a very talented man ; is noticed elsewhere. 

H. C. Woodbury was the successor of Mr. 
Crump in this office, and filled the position 
for one term of two years. 

Januarj^ 1, 1886, W. C. Young, the present 
judge of the probate court, entered upon the 
duties of his office, and fills it to the satisfac- 
tion of the people of the county. 

Hon. William C. Young came to the 
county of Waseca in 1866, and purchasing 
a farm in Woodville Township remained 
there but a short time, when he removed to 
the new village of Waseca, where he followed 
the occupation of contracting and building 
until January 1, 1876, when being appointed 
postmaster, he gave much of his time to that 
office, which he held for ten years. He is 
a native of Madison County, N. Y., born Au- 
gust 10, 1826, and is the son of Henry and 
Philena Young. In 1854 he came west, lo- 
cating at Fitch burg. Wis., where lie was 
engaged in building, and made that his 
home until 1861. When the dark cloud of 
civil war lowered over the heads of this na- 
tion, he raised a company of men for the 
service of the general government, wliich 
was mustered in as Company E. of the Eighth 
Wisconsin Infantrv, he receiving a commis- 



HISTOEY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



491 



sion as captain. Participating in the for- 
tunes of that gallant regiment, he saw con- 
siderable service and was in many of the 
battles that took place in the southwest. 
He it was who took the only boat through 
the bayou and canal in the rear of Vicks- 
burg, that could be so forwarded, the water 
falling after its passage, not permitting any 
to follow. In July, 1864, he was commis- 
sioned major of his regiment, and in that ca- 
pacity served until the close of hostilities. 
He then returned to his Wisconsin home, 
where he remained until 1866, when he came 
to Waseca County, as detailed above. In 
the fall of 1869 he was elected to represent 
this district in the State Legislature, and oc- 
cupied a place in that august body in the 
Xllth Assembly. In the Xllltli Assembly 
he was in the Senate. In 1S85 he was 
elected to the office of judge of the probate 
court, of Waseca County, and is now filling 
that position. He is a member of Comee 
Lodge, No. 25, and of Golden Rule Encamp- 
ment, No. 13, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, and of Lewis McKune Post, No. 27, 
Grand Army of the Republic. July 12, 
1816, he was united in marriage with Caro- 
line Kingsley, a native of Chautauqua, N.Y., 
and a sister of Bishop Kingsley. They are 
the parents of four children : William Henry, 
Eugene W. and Mabel A., living, and Luna 
E., deceased. 

COUNTY ATTORNEY. 

At the second meeting of the county com- 
missioners' court, held April 6, 1S5Y, John 
Bradish was appointed count3f attorney, 
with the munificent salary of $100 per 
year. He only held it for one year, when he 
made way for his successor. 

M. S. Green was elected to fill this office 
in the fall of 1857, and probably served 
a year. 

J. E. Child was county attorney in 1859 
and 1860, and was succeeded by Hial D. 
Baldwin. Tlie latter held the office for three 
years, and then in turn gave way for Mr. 



Child, who again filled it for about three 
years. 

In 1867 W. T. Kittredge became county 
attorney, and for two years served the peo- 
ple in this office. 

B. S. Lewis entered upon this office Jan- 
uary', 1869, and continued therein, being 
reelected his own successor until the last of 
1873. 

Peter McGovern was the incumbent of the 
office during the years 1874 and 1875, and 
was succeeded by M. D. L. Collester, who in 
1882 gave way for W. R. Kinder. The lat- 
ter served two years. 

In 1884 Peter McGovern became the 
county attorney by the will of the people, 
and is the present incumbent of the office. 

Most of the gentlemen mentioned above 
are among the attorneys of the county, or 
have held more important official positions, 
and are mentioned in connection therewith. 

COUNTY SURVEYORS. 

The first surveyor of the county was H. 
W. Peck. This gentleman came to Waseca 
County in 1856, and was appointed one of 
the commissioners to organize the county, 
but resigned the same to accept the position 
of county surveyor, to which office he was 
appointed March 16, 1857. He held this po- 
sition until the first of 1858, when he rotated 
out of office. He shortly afterward returned 
to Ohio, whence he had come. 

He was succeeded by A. E. Smith. 

On the 1st of January, 1862, G. P John- 
son became the county surveyor. 

H. G. Mosher was the county surveyor 
from 1864 until the last of the j^ear 1865. 
Mr. Mosher has been noticed previous to this 
in this chapter. 

O. S. Canfield served two years as county 
surveyor from January 1, 1866. 

At the beginning of the year 1868, C. E. 
Crane commenced his long term of office as 
surveyor, which lasted until the first of 1881, 
when he entered the office of count}' auditor 
as already mentioned. He was succeeded by 
O. L. Smith, the present county surveyor. 



CHAPTER IX. 




COUNTY-SEAT CONTESTS AND COUNTY BUILDINGS. 



HE act of the Legislature that 
authorized the organization of 
Waseca County in 1857, or- 
dered that the people of the 
said county should determine 
by ballot upon the location of 
the seat of justice in and for 
said county, at a special election 
to be held for that purpose. 
Excitement ran riot, for three several towns 
within the limits of the new county as- 
pired to tlie honor of being the count j'-seat, 
Wilton, Empire and St. Mary. To quote 
from the peti of " The Oldest Settler," pub- 
ished in 1869 in the Weekly News: 

" Men from Faribault, O watonna and other 
parts of the then Territory, suddenly became 
permanent residents of Waseca County. 
Wilton, Empire and St. Mary attained large 
proportions some ten days before the elec- 
tion. Their streets literally swarmed with 
black coats, satin vests and plug hats. Money 
and promises were as plenty as house flies in 
August. There was ' hurrying to and fro,' 
among the paper city lots and town site spec- 
ulators. Loafing young men played euchre 
on the prairie green, or lounged upon the 
corners of imaginary magnificent future busi- 
ness blocks in the would-be cities heretofore 
mentioned. 

" Alas, poor human foresight. Man sow- 
eth, but God giveth the increase. In this 
case there was a sudden decrease immediately 
after the election. 

" The whole number of votes cast was 
T36. Was not that a fair sized election for 
a county of only two j'ears settlement ? 

" The precinct of Elysian cast 29 votes : 
23 for Wilton, 4 for St. Marv and 2 for Em- 



pire. Empire cast 160 votes: 11 for Wilton, 
49 for St. Mary and 100 for Empire. Swav- 
ersey cast 107 votes : 51 for Wilton, 33 for 
St. Mary and 23 for Empire. Wilton cast 
309 votes: 189 for Wilton, 119 for St. Mary 
and 1 for Empire. The 'oldest settler' has 
never found out who that fellow was. Otisco 
cast 60 votes : 58 for Wilton and 2 for St. 
Mary. 

"Wilton therefore received 332 votes, St. 
Mary 207. and Empire 126." 

And as the village of Wilton had received 
but two less than a majority of the whole 
vote cast, it was declared the legal seat of 
justice for Waseca County, and so continued 
for many j^ears. 

After the advent of the railroad in Waseca 
County and the birth of the new town of 
Waseca in 1867, some talk was indulged in 
in regard to the re-location of the county- 
seat at the latter place. Nothing of any 
moment was done at that time ; but in the 
latter part of 1868 the subject being again 
agitated, it began to crystalize, and a pe- 
tition was sent to the Legislature for action 
autiiorizing the submission of the question to 
the people of the county. This was met by a 
remonstrance from the friends of Wilton. 
Nothing definite seems to have come of this. 

The remonstrance brought out, of course, 
attacks from the partisans of Waseca, and 
counter attacks from Wilton's friends. The 
war waxed warm and the people of the 
county were divided upon the issue. But 
Waseca having the railroad, and Wilton be- 
ing without that necessary adjunct, and the 
courthouse and vault at the last named jilace 
being miserabl\' unfit for the use to which they 
were put, Wilton had extreme difficulties to 



492 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



493 



overcome to compete with the newer town. 

Finally, to add to the discomfiture of the 
Wilton people, the old courthouse, a miser- 
able affair at the best, was destroyed by fire, 
about 8 o'clock Saturday morning, April 
3, 1869. Fire was discovei'ed about that 
time in the courthouse, caused either by the 
overheating of a stovepipe, or by a prisoner 
confined at the time in the jail. When first 
discovered it had spread throughout the 
building between the ceiling and walls 
and had reached the roof. After brave 
exertions to save the building on the part 
of some present, and hard work in re- 
moving part of its contents, it was found 
that the edifice was doomed, and all hands 
turned to and carried out the county books, 
papers, records and furniture, and soon but 
little was left but the empty shell, which 
lasted but a short time. Several other build- 
ings in the same block suifered at the same 
time being all swallowed up by the flames. 
Immediately after the fire the county officers 
took up their quarters temporarily in a wagon 
shop, formerly occupied by B. Bundsho. 

On the 12th of the same month, a spe- 
cial session of the board of county commis- 
sioners was held at Wilton, for the purpose 
of providing a suitable place for the county 
offices and records, and in which to transact 
public business. There were present at this 
meeting : R. F. Stevens, chairman ; John S. 
McKune, Robert Earl, William Byron and 
John Buckhout. They appointed a com- 
mittee to rent a building for their use, but 
they reported that but one place could be 
rented, and that was one owned by G. P. 
Johnson, who wanted $250 per year for it. 
Thereupon the board appointed another com- 
mittee to see for what price they could pur- 
chase a building. This consisted of John 
Buckhout, Robert Earl and J. S. McKune. 
After a time they returned and reported that 
the building formerly occupied by John Win- 
ters could be bought for $.500, whereupon 
the chairman was empowered to complete 
the purchase of the same and pay for it out 



of the insurance money that would be re- 
ceived for the old courthouse. This was ac- 
cordingly done, and the old building fitted 
up for use until such time as the county could 
or would erect a proper edifice, and the county 
officers moved into it. 

This was in use when., in January, 1870, 
W. C. Young, the representative from this 
county in the State Legislature, presented a 
bill authorizing the voters of the village of 
Waseca to vote for or against the issue of 
bonds for the purpose of erecting suitable 
buildings for the use of the county. The act 
was passed and signed by the Governor in 
February, 1870. Under this act, the board 
of village trustees presented to the legal vot- 
ers of Waseca the following resolution, to be 
balloted on either for its acceptance or rejec- 
tion. Omitting the preamble it read thus : 

" That ... the bonds of the village of 
Waseca, with interest coupons attached, be 
issued for the purpose named in the act, in 
the sum of $5,000, and bearmg annual inter- 
est at the rate of 12 per centum. 

" That the denominations of such bonds, 
and the time or times when the same shall 
be payable, be such as this board may here- 
after direct. 

" Provided, that no bond shall be issued 
running more than ten years from the date 
thereof." 

Accordingly, at the March election the 
people of the villjige gave a hearty asserit to 
the matter, and the courthouse was built 
during that summer. During its erection 
considerable discussion went on about the 
new building, the enemies of the village say- 
ing that Waseca was only going to rent the 
building to the county, if the county-seat 
was changed there, and other remarks of 
that nature. But the people of the growing 
railroad town went on with their work, and 
in the fall of the same year it was completed. 

This being done the trustees of the village 
executed a warrantee deed of conveyance to 
the county, of the grounds and buildings, 
the only condition of the gift being that the 



494 



HISTOEY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



people of the county, at the fall election, 
would locate the county-seat at the village of 
"Waseca, and use the building as a courthouse. 

Then the fun began, Janesville entering 
the contest as an aspirant for the honor of 
being the shire town. Aspersions and def- 
amations were as freely bandied back and 
forth as if they were the most honied com- 
pliments. As a specimen of the literature of 
the times the following is quoted from a 
newspaper article, of that eventful summer : 

" Some fellows at Wilton got up an elec- 
tioneering document, which appeared at this 
place on Thursday last, which is remarkable 
mostly on account of its great length and 
breadth, and dearth of truth. It is not 
worth while to expend any time over the 
gramraarless jargon and senseless twaddle 
which it contains about the county-seat, but 
it contains one broad falsehood which it 
may be as well to simply deny ; namely, 
that the people of Waseca are trying to kill 
off the other villages of the county." After 
showing the folly of that course of proceed- 
ing, and disclaiming any intent at all in that 
direction, the article concludes thus : " But 
no sensible man wants to pull down any 
locality, and the soul that cannot desire the 
prosperity of the whole county, could easily 
find room inside a flea's bladder for a cotil- 
lion party." 

But any vituperation, abuse or chicanery 
could not alter the inevitable, and at the resu- 
lar election, iield on the Sth of jSTovember, 
1870, the people of the county agreed to ac- 
cept the offer of the village of Waseca, take 
the courthouse and remove the county-seat 
to that town. The following is the vote : 

For the removal of the county-seat 870 

Against the removal 6.53 

Majority in favor of removal 217 

It was hoped that on the decision of the 
majority for the re-location of the county- 
seat at Waseca, that the matter would end 
there, but it seems that some parties inter- 
ested in its retention at Wilton intended to 
contest the matter in the courts, and to save 



a long, bitter and expensive lawsuit, the 
people of Waseca, with the full cooperation 
of most of the county officers, took measures 
to learn the result of the election at an 
early hour. About 10 o'clock on the 
evening of the election the matter was def- 
initely known, and men and teams were 
started for Wilton to assist the officers in re- 
moving the county property to the new 
county -seat. Arriving there about 1 o'clock 
the records, books, papers and other prop- 
erty of the county Avas loaded at once on 
the wagons and taken to the new seat of 
justice, in the village of AVaseca. This was 
with the exception of the county auditor's 
office. Warren Smith, who had been ap- 
pointed auditor, refused to move the office 
in the night, but transferred it the next day 
to its new quarters. 

In its issue of November 9, 1870, the fol- 
fowing item appeared in the columns of the 
Waseca News, under the caption, " The 
County-seat Has Come :" 

" At an early hour this morning, the sound 
of music by the band and the huzzas of the 
people, aroused our slumbering (?) citizens and 
it was soon ascertained that the register of 
deeds, the clerk of the court, the sheriff and 
the treasurer had moved their books, papers 
and recoixls from the rotten old hulk at 
Wilton to the new county-seat of Waseca 
County, and ' set up shop ' at the new and 
elegant courthouse in this place. 

"The 'thing is did.' That big lawsuit 
over the removal of the county-seat will be 
held at Waseca — when it comes off. 

"Any one having business at the county- 
seat will find the 'machine' in full blast at 
the courthouse." 

Some of the more hasty of the partisans 
of Wilton, feeling aggrieved, both at the 
re-location of the county-seat and the hasty 
removal of the records, etc., to the new court- 
house, threatened a contest at law, but on 
due reflection gave it up, as it was useless to 
attempt to override the decision of so large 
a majority of the qualified electors of the 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



495 



county, and the prosecution was abandoned. 
Considerable asperity was engendered be- 
tween the rival towns and their faction, but 
time, the great ameliorator of such disputes, 
has wiped it all away, most of the Wiltonites 
having removed to Waseca or Janesville. 

The present courthouse which was thus 
donated to the county, is a fine brick sti'uct- 
ure 40x50 feet in size on the ground, and two 
stories in height. The first floor contains 
four oflBces, two on each side of a corridor 
that extends through the entire building 
froni east to west. From the west end of 
this hall wa}' there extends a flight of stairs 
which leads to the courtroom in the second 
story. The building is a good specimen of 
the architecture of the present day, with but 
little ornamentation, but substantial in 
appearance. In the rear of the office occu- 
pied by the register of deeds is a capacious 
vault, that holds all the records, books and 
papers of the county. 

CODNTY JAIL. 

The board of county commissioners, on 
January 7, 1875, passed a resolution, asking 
the necessary authority to issue the bonds of 



the county, in a sum not to exceed $10,000, 
to raise the funds with which to build a 
jail, and to levy a tax to meet the payments 
on the said bonds. After some delay, the 
authority being granted, the auditor was, Jan- 
uary 4, 1878, by order of the board, author- 
ized to advertise for bids for the erection of 
the building. 

On March 20 the various bids were 
opened, and it was found that W. B. Craig & 
Co., whose bid was for $9,334, were the lowest 
and the contract was accordingly let to 
them, they agreeing to finish the building bj"^ 
October 1, 1878. Work was at once com- 
menced, and the building soon began to 
assume shape under the supervision of C. 
G. Maybury, of Winona, the architect. The 
jail was completed on time and accepted by 
the board of county commissioners, who were 
so Avell pleased that the}' passed the following 
resolution at a session held October 14, 1878: 

'•'■ Besolved, That C. G. Mayburj% architect, 
is entitled to the thanks of Waseca County 
for his ability and diligence displayed in 
drawing plans and specifications for, and in 
superintending the erection of, the jail build- 
ing in this county." 




CHAPTER X. 




JOURNALISM. 



ASECA County is well supplied 
with newspapers, and no county 
in the State has been more bene- 
fited by this means. It would be 
difficult to select a county in the 
Northwest more widely known 
than Waseca, and this fact can be 
directly attributed to its local papers, which 
have, week after week, month after month 
and year after year, continued to spread in- 
telligence and record events relating to this 
locality. 

The pioneer journal of Waseca County 
was 

THE HOME VIEWS. 

This paper, a small six-column folio, first 
made its appearance at Wilton, then 
the county seat, on the 13th of March, 
1860. It was edited by J. W. Crawford, 
but was published by A. B. Cornell, of 
Owatonna. Thus it ran for awhile, but in 
the fall of the same year the publication of 
the paper was transferred to the office of 
the Central RepuUican, at Faribault. About 
this time W. T. Kittredge became associated 
with Mr. Crawford in the editorial manage- 
ment, and under their joint efforts it was 
kept running until the latter part of the 
year 1860, when it passed away into that 
land that has received so many journalistic 
ventures. 

THE WASECA HOME VIEWS. 

About the 1st of March, 1861, Alexander 
Johnston and S. J. Willis commenced the 
paper with the above iieading. It was 
a seven column folio, and printed on 
their own press at Wilton, really the first 
paper printed in the county. Here they ran 



the Home Views until in the fall of 1861, 
when they removed the press and material 
to Faribault, though still publishing the 
Home Views from that place. In the latter 
part of October, 1863, Alexander Johnston 
became the sole proprietor, and, removing it 
entirely to Faribault, changed its politics to 
Democratic. 

THE WASECA COUEIEE. 

A small paper with the above name was 
started in the town of Wilton, early in 1863, 
the initial number bearing date of January 
21. It was a five column folio edited by 
John C. Ide, but printed at Owatonna, by 
Mrs. A. B. Cornell, at first, but later by L. 
H. Kelley. It had but a sickly existence at 
best, and about the first of December of the 
same year that saw its birth, it died. 

WILTON WEEKLY NEWS. 

About the beginning of November, 1863, 
the press and other material that had been 
used to print the Home Views, at Faribault, 
became the property of H. D. Baldwm, then 
a resident of Wilton, who determined to util- 
ize it. James Mowatt was employed as 
printer and publisher and James E. Child as 
editor. On the 8th day of December, 1863, 
the first issue of the Wilton WeeMy News 
made its appearance. It was a small, six 
column folio, and Republican in politics. At 
the close of a year, the press and outfit of 
the office were purchased by Mr. Child, the 
editor, who assumed entire control. On the 
8th of March, 1866, the jJajjer was enlarged 
to a seven column folio, in which form itcon- 
tmued for many years. This journal continued 
to be published at Wilton, until the latter part 



49ti 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



497 



of October, 1867, when the office was re- 
moved to "Waseca, then a new town, laid out 
on the coming of the "Winona & St. Peter 
Railroad. On its arrival here the name was 
changed, and it made its appearance as the 

WASECA NEWS. 

Mr. Child continued the sole propi-ietor un- 
til in November, 1868, when "William J. 
Graham, formerly of Brownsville, Pa., pur- 
chased a half interest in the JVews, thus 
forming the firm of Child & Graham. The 
first issue under the new copartnership bears 
the date of November i, and contains a no- 
tice to the public of the change, signed by 
Mr. Child, marking out the future course of 
the paper, and formally introducing his part- 
ner to the patrons of the JVews. He concludes 
in the following words : 

" "We (i. e. ' Pat') are already a fixture of 
this section. You all know us — at least you 
know the hard side of us. You know, too, 
that we have made the Neivs live, notwith- 
standing hard times, and some pretty strong 
opposition. "We shall continue our efforts to 
make it one of the most reliable and spicy 
of the many good papers of the "West. "We 
shall continue to battle for the right, and 
against the wrong. We shall work for the 
building up of the whole country. "We shall 
work particularly for the advancement of 
the State of Minnesota, and forever herald 
forth the praises of "Waseca County, believ- 
ing, as we tlo, that God hath not made a 
better spot — all things considered — any- 
where on this great earth." 

Mr. Graham, in the same number, makes 
his salutatory to the people of the county, in 
a bold, manly style. In speaking of the 
political course of the paper, he said : 

" Eeared in the political faith of the Re- 
publican party, we shall give it an earnest 
and consistent support, recognizing its prin- 
ciples as being founded on truth and right, 
having for its ends the elevation of mankind, 
tlie perpetuity of the union on an enduring 
basis, and the fulfillment of all national obli- 



gations according to the spirit and letter of 
the law. "While we shall render true alle- 
giance to the great principles of the party, 
we claim the right to criticise the acts of our 
leaders, and to express freely and candidly 
our opinion on all questions of the day. 
' "With malice toward none, with charity to- 
ward all,' we shall seek to do our dutj' at 
all times, ' unawed by influence and unbribed 
by gain.' As the sum of our political action 
we accept the Augustine maxim : ' In essen- 
tials, unity ; in non-essentials, liberty ; in all 
things, charity.' " 

In October, 1869, Mr. Graham assumed 
the greater burden of the editorial work of 
the office. On the 31st of May, 1871, he 
severed his connection with the News, which 
then passed into the hands of J. E. Child as 
sole proprietor. Just previous to the change 
the form of the paper was altered to that of 
a six column quarto. 

On the 1st of August, 1871, John F. Mur- 
phy became associated with Mr. Child in the 
News, and was connected with this journal 
until the 29th of May, 1872, when the name 
of Mr. Child appears alone at the head of 
the paper. This well-known gentleman con- 
tinned at the head of the News until Janu- 
ary 6, 1875, when he changed the name of 
the paper to that of the 

MINNESOTA RADICAL, 

and made it the organ of the temperance and 
prohibition movement. Its motto was " tem- 
perance, anti-monopoly, anti-corruption, and 
a new party — the Radical Reform party." 
The stated object of this change was to en- 
large the field of his paper, making it a State 
journal and making it the champion of the 
above causes. In the first number the editor 
thus speaks: 

" This paper will aim to be radically right 
on all questions of public policy and will 
advocate the truth about men, parties and 
principles. Some of the old ])arty papers 
will j^robably insist that the liadical is a 
'crazy' sheet, but as that is the argument 



498 



HI8T0KT OF WASECA COUNTY. 



which has been used against every reform 
movement since tlie ^yorld began, our friends 
should not be alarmed." 

In May, 1878, Walter Child, a son of the 
proprietor, became associated in the publica- 
tion of the paper, the elder Mr. Child still 
havine: editorial control. In October, the 
same year, W. W. Satterlee, then candidate 
for governor on the temperance ticket, be- 
came joint editor of the Radical, although 
he had no pecuniary interest therein, it being 
brought about b}' the consolidation of the 
Liberty Blade, of Minneapolis, with the Radi- 
cal. The united papers were printed simul- 
taneously at Waseca and Minneapolis, and 
was the exponent of the temperance and anti- 
monopoly cause. Under these auspices the 
Radical and Liberty Blade continued until 
July, 1880, when it was purchased by William 
G. Ward, then a candidate for congressional 
honors, tie restored the old name of Min- 
nesota Radical, or rather cut off the name of 
Liberty Blade from it, and changed its politics 
to that of the Republican party. For a short 
time he continued to edit the paper himself, 
but afterward employed E. B. Collester as 
editor, who continued to occupy the editorial 
chair until August, 1881, when the paper was 
purchased by C. E. Graham, the present pro- 
prietor. About a year after becoming its 
owner, Mr. Graham cUanged the name to 

THE WASECA RADICAL, 

under which head it is now known. On the 
9th day of September, 1885, the journal 
made its appearance as a six column quarto, 
in a new dress, and is a neat and tasty ex- 
hibition of the printer's skill. 

Clarence E. Graham, the editor and proprie- 
tor of the Waseca Radical, was born at Wind- 
sor, Broome County, N. Y., December 22, 
1841, and is a son of John L. and Emma L. 
(Hermans) Graham. His father comes of a 
noted Scottish house, and his mother is of 
German descent. C. E. was reared in the 
county of his birth until February,18tJ0,when 
he went to Perryville, Perry County, Mo., 
where he engaged as carpenter onthe court 



house then building,and while there,saw what 
they termed Lincoln men ridden upon a rail 
for their opinion's sake. In the winter of 
1860^61, he was taken sick and returned to 
New York, where he did a little work on the 
farm. In the spring of 1862, his father and 
brother came west to Minnesota, and he and 
his mother followed the same fall, all locat- 
ing in Houston Count}'. In 1863, he enlisted 
in Company D, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, 
known as Washburn's Cavalry, and remained 
in the service until December 12, 1865, when 
he was mustered out and came to Waseca 
County.- January 9, 1866, he settled on a 
farm in Freedom Township, where he re- 
mained until 1873. He then removed to the 
village of Janesville and established the 
Argus, and was made postmaster of the vil- 
lage. He continued at the head of this paper 
until 1881, when he disposed of it to J. A. 
Henry, the present owner, and came to 
Waseca, and in August of that year pur- 
chased the Radical and has been engaged in 
editing it ever since. January 3, 1869, he 
was united in marriage with Rocepha Helen 
Stone, a daughter of Hiram and Ann (Com- 
stock) Stone. They are the parents of four 
children : Aretas Earl, Frederick Comstock, 
Clarence Charles and George Stone. Mr. 
Graham is a member of McKune Post, No. 
27, Grand Army of the Republic. As a 
writer Mr. Graham has an easy, graceful 
style, and conducts his paper in an able and 
business-like manner. 

WILTON COUEANT. 

After the removal of the JVews from Wil- 
ton to Waseca, in the fall of 1867, the county- 
seat was left without a newspaper, and so 
continued until the spring of 1869. On the 
6th of March of that year the initial number 
of the Wilton Courant made its appearance, 
with the name of W. D. Palmer at its head 
as editor. After but two issues had been 
printed A. J. Clark's name was substituted, 
and under his editorial management the 
paper continued until with the number bear- 
ing date of August 17, 1869, the venture 





/Z^T-^^bM 



S. S4z^^ 



HISTORY OF WASECA CDUNTY. 



501 



came to an end. The outfit of the office 
was removed to Sherburne County, this 
State. 



LANTERN. 



An advertising sheet with the above name 
was issued at Janes ville, October 25, 1871, 
by H. P. Paclvard, of that village. It was 
not a newspaper in the true sense of the 
word, being printed for general distribution. 
Only a few numbers were issued. 

THE INDEPENDENT. 

A paper was established at the village of 
Jauesville during the spring of 1873, with 
the above name. The citizens of that place, 
desiring a journal of their own, ]Hirchased 
the press and material for an office, and sold 
the same to John L. Barlow, taking there- 
for, a chattel mortgage as security. After 
about twelve papers had been issued, the 
people becoming dissatisfied with the way it 
was conducted, closed the affair up under 
the mortgage and brought the paper to a 
stand-still. 

THE KECOKD. 

In the fall of 1873 a paper was published 
at the village of "Waseca, under the above 
title, the initial number bearing date of 
October 14, with "W. J. Graham as proprie- 
etor, and Graham & Carman editors. It was 
a three column folio, and neatly gotten up. 
On the 15th of November following, Mr 
Graham's name was taken from the head of 
the columns, A. H. Carman continuing to 
act as editor until the following spring, when 
it suspended. The material was sold to the 
Kasson Repuhlican and moved to that city. 
Mr. Carman is now engaged in preaching at 
St. Charles, Minn. 

JANESVILLE ARGUS. 

This venture in the newspaper world first 
saw the light in the fall of 1873. The Inde- 
^endeni,then published at the village of Janes- 
ville, not meeting the expectations of those 
interested, C. E. Graham, although without 
in 



any previous knowledge of journalism, under- 
took to establish a paper at that point. Pur- 
chasing an outfit, on the 2d of November 
he issued the first number of the Argus. It 
was a neatly printed and well gotten up 
sheet, five-column quarto in size, and justly 
met the approbation of the people of the 
northwestern part of the county. Mr. Gra- 
ham continued to occupy the editorial chair 
and remained sole proprietor until August, 
1881, when he purchased the "Waseca Radi- 
cal, and disposed of the Argus to John A. 
Henry, the present proprietor. 

J. A. Henry, the editor and proprietor of 
the Janesville Argus, is a native of Crawford 
County, Pa., born May 25, 1855, and is 
the son of J. N. and Diana (Merchant) 
Henry. When he was quite small his par- 
ents removed to the State of New York, 
where they remained until 1872, when they 
came to Blue Earth County, locating near 
Mankato. Mr. Henry, the elder, was both a 
graduate in medicine and a Methodist min- 
ister, and is now a resident of Anoka, Minn., 
where he is engaged solely in healing bodies. 
Before J. A. left New York, he attended 
the Griffith Institute at Springville for a term 
and after coming to Minnesota he attended 
the State normal school at Mankato for 
three terms. Later, he commenced the study 
of law with S. D. Crump, then of Janesville, 
meantime acting as clerk in the postoffice 
here, and absorbing aU the knowledge of 
local newspaper that he could from C. E. 
Graham, who was then postmaster and ed- 
itor of the Argus. "When the latter moved 
to Waseca in 1881, Mr. Henry purchased the 
paper and has since continued to manipulate 
the editorial pen, and control its entire 
machinery. In the fall of 1881 he was ap- 
pointed postmaster and held that office until 
March, 1887, when Mr. Tefft was appointed, 
although Mr. Henry still has charge of the 
office as deputy. Mr. ■Henry holds strictly 
to the Republican principles, but in local 
matters supports the man for the place, 
rather than party. 



502 



HISTORY or WASECA COIJNTT. 



WASECA LEADER. 

Early in the spring of 1876 T. F. Hollister 
came to the village of Waseca from Chip- 
pewa Falls, Wis., and instituted the paper 
with the above name. The first number Avas 
issued on the 8th of April, 1876. Mr. Hol- 
lister is said to have been a Democrat, but 
on coming here commenced the publication 
of a Republican sheet. This paper contin- 
ued in his hands until May 7, 1880, when it 
was sold to G. W. Morse and A. F. Booth, 
who consolidated it with the Herald, the 
material of the ofBce being removed to 
Sparta, Wis. 

WASECA HERALD. 

In the fall of 1877 Lem. Eeeves and A. J. 
Fullerton commenced the publication of this 
live paper. The initial number was issued 
October 5. It was a seven column folio, 
and straight Republican in politics. Reeves 
was a young man who had been reared at 
McGregor, Iowa, learning his trade as print- 
er in the office of tlie North Iowa Times of 
that place. For a year the paper was an 
"all at home printed" sheet, but on the 4th 
of October, 1878, the form was changed to 
that of an eight column folio with "patent 
inside." In December of the same year Mr. 
Fullerton retired from the firm, and the sole 
management fell upon Mr. Reeves. Becom- 
ing involved in some libel suits, on the 2d of 
May, 1879, he disposed of the paper and 
office to G. F. Booth, who on the 1st of 
July following associated with himself, in 
the control of the paper, H. F. Pond, for- 
merly of Trempealeau, Wis., and they, under 
the firm-name of Booth & Pond, carried on 
the journal until April 23, 1880, when by 
the retirement of Mr. Pond, Mr. Bootli again 
became sole owner. On tlie 7th of the fol- 
lowing month he purchased the subscrip- 
tion lists and good-will of the Leader, and 
consolidated it with his own paper, and at 
the same time forming a copartnership with 
G. W. Morse. The new firm was of but 
short duration, for with the next issue, that 



of May 14, 1880, is heralded a new firm, Mr. 
Booth selling his interest to S. M. Rose, late 
of Mantorville, the firm name being Rose & 
Morse. Under the management of these 
gentlemen the Herald was conducted until 
March 13, 1883, when Mr. Rose died. He 
was a native of New York, born in 1832, and 
had come to Minnesota in 1868, locating, at 
first, in Dodge County, where he was united 
in marriage with Abbie F. Bunker. He was 
a practical printer of ability, and was early 
in life connected with the journalism of this 
State. Noted for his energ}^, honesty of pur- 
pose, and general integrity, he left many 
friends. After his death his widow con- 
tinued with Mr. Morse as a partner, and the 
latter as editor, to conduct the paper until 
Decembei', 1883, when John F. Murphy pur- 
chased her interest, forming the new firm 
of Morse & Murphy. On the 15th of Octo- 
ber, 1885, James E. Child, the former well- 
known editor of the News, and later of the 
Radical, became the owner of the interest 
of Mr. Morse. Owing, however, to the fact 
that Mr. Child could not yet give his atten- 
tion to his editorial duties, Mr. Morse con- 
sented to act as such until such time as, for- 
mer businesses being settled, Mr. Child could 
again take up the " broken thread of life's 
duties" in the sanctum. In the issue of De- 
cember 4 following, we find this greeting to 
his friends, over the signature of the incoming- 
editor, and under the heading " Back Again ": 
"The vindersigned, having spent the last 
five years as a Jackson County granger, and 
made a fortune {^) by tilling the soil, returns 
to his 'first love' — the rich hunting-grounds 
of the Le Sueur Valley — and among his old 
friends and neighbors, and again takes up 
the editorial pencil for better or worse. The 
kind greeting and friendly words which 
meet him on every hand, encourage him to 
again commence the difficult task of editing 
a newspaper. The Herald^ so far as the 
writer shall be able to aid in its publication, 
will continue to be a first-class local news- 
paper, and will put forth every effort to ad- 



HISTOET OF WASECA COUNTY. 



503 



vance the local interests of this city and 
county. Politically it will be aboi;t as inde- 
pendent and outspoken as any newspaper in 
this newspaper land of ours. ' With charity 
for the erring, and malice toward none,' the 
writer invites the cooperation of every citi- 
zen to aid in making this paper the Herald 
of news, and the promoter of education, in- 
dustry and sobriety." 

Under the firm name of Child & Murphy 
the Herald has continued to flourish, and it 
has become one of the leading journals of 
this portion of the State of Minnesota. 

James E. Child, the veteran journalist of 
Waseca County, is the son of Zabina and 
Orilla (Rice) Child and was born in DeKalb, 
St. Lawrence County, N. Y., December 
19, 1833. His father was a carpenter and 
joiner by trade, and worked at that and 
farming. In the spring of 1834 the family 
removed to Medina County, Ohio, where 
they remained some three years and then 
returned to St. Lawrence County, where the 
head of the familj' purchased a small farm 
on which they remained until about 1843, 
when they again returned to Ohio, but one 
year later emigrated to Dodge County, Wis., 
and were among the early settlers of that 
region. About 1854, the family removed to 
Outagamie County, Wis., near Appleton. 
James E. taught three terms of school in 
Wisconsin, following farming in the sum- 
mer. In September, 1864, he went to the 
pineries of the great Badger State, and return- 
ing from thence in December, shortly after- 
ward started with A.G. Sutlief for Minnesota, 
as detailed elsewhere, arriving in Waseca 
County, February 2, 1855. He came to take 
charge of the Sutlief farm and stock, which 
he did, taking up a claim for himself, how- 
ever, on section 24 and 25, putting up a 
shanty in the fall of 1855, in the latter 
section. He remained with Sutlief until 
November, 1855, breaking some land and 
cutting some hay on his own place that 
summer, however. He remained on this farm 
until the spring of 1863, when he rented it 



and moved to Wilton and commenced the 
practice of law. Shortly afterward he was 
appointed deput\' United States marshal, 
which office he held for about a year. In 
the fall of 1863 he commenced his labors as 
editor of the paper as above mentioned, and 
has been in the journalistic harness nearly 
all the time since. In the fall of 1867 he 
removed to Waseca, where he practiced law 
in addition to his editorial duties, and has 
held the offices of county attorney, court 
commissioner, superintendent of schools and 
justice of the peace, besides numerous minor 
offices. He \\'as elected to the Legislature 
in 1860, and took his seat in the Hid Legis- 
lature in January, 1861. In the XlVth 
Legislature, in 1872, this county was repre- 
sented in the Senate by Mr. Child, and in 
the lower house of the XVIth Assembly, 
in 1874, he was a member. He represented 
the district composed of Martin and Jack- 
son counties in the XXIIId Legislature 
— 1883. At the gubernatorial election held 
November 2, 1886, James E. Child was the 
Prohibition candidate for the office of gov- 
ernor. On April 19, 1856, Mr. Child and 
Justina Krassin were united in marriage, and 
they have been the parents of eight children : 
Walter, a resident of Waseca ; S. M., now in 
Jackson County, Minn.; Annie, now Mrs. F. 
A. Wood, of Waseca; Orilla, now Mrs. 
George H. Goodspeed, of the same place; 
Dora M., a teacher in Jackson County, this 
state; George E., at home, and Avery and 
Marcia, deceased. Mr. Child is a member of 
Tuscan Lodge, No. 77, Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons. His life has been a busy 
one, and while he has "of necessity" made 
some enemies, he has a host of warm friends. 
A keen and trenchant writer, he is extreme 
in all his views and does not fear to give 
utterance to his belief on all occasions. 

John Fiske Murphy, " the printer," is a 
son of William and Sophia (Fiske) Murphy, 
and was born in Philadelphia, Pa., January 
7, 1850. His father was a native of county 
Armagh, Ireland, who came to America 



504 



HISTORY OP WASECA COUNTY. 



when three yeai's old, and was a homeo- 
pathic 2)h\'sician, a graduate of the Hahne- 
mann College, of Philadelphia, and prac- 
ticed his profession in that city. In 1857 the 
family came to Minnesota and located at 
Wilton, after stopping a few months in 
Steele County. Dr. Murphy did not live 
'long after coming here, dying May 14, 1859. 
John remained at Wilton until the fall of 
1862, when he went to Iowa with Nathaniel 
Gai'land, and herded sheep for him. He was 
but a boy, but the oldest of the children, his 
elder brother having died, and he had to 
hustle to help support the family. In the fall 
of 1863 he returned to Wilton and entered the 
office of the Wilton A'ews, and remained until 
January, 1864, when he went to Philadel- 
phia. After a time he entered the office 
of the Daily JVews, of that cit}', edited b}' 
J. li. Flanegan, as proof -taker and copy- 
holder. Afterward he was employed as er- 
rand boy in the toy store of G. A. Schwartz, 
1008 Chestnut street, of the same city. He 
came back to Wilton, July 15, 1865, and went 
to work again in the JVetos office, where he 
remained until 1869, when he went to Daven- 
port, Iowa, where he worked on the Gazette. 
From there he went to Monona County, Iowa, 
and took up a homestead in Grant Town- 
ship, but shortly after moved to Omaha, and 
was employed on the RejnihUcan. In 1870 
he was in cliarge of the mechanical depart- 
ment of the Pilot, of Blair, Neb., during the 
summer, and from there returned to Omaha, 
where he ''held cases'' on the Tribune, and 
later was employed in a job office in that 
city. In 1871 he returned to AVilton, and, 
after a short time spent as part owner of 
the News in Waseca, put in a job office, the 
first in tliis county, he being the first to bring 
a job press to Waseca County. This was a 
Liberty, eighth medium. He then ran a Lib 
eral-Republicau-Democratic campaign sheet 
in tlie interest of Horace Greeley Democrats, 
and sold out the office in 1873 to W. J. Gra- 
ham, of the Record. For several years fol- 
lowing he worked at his trade in this place. 



and in January, 1878, went to Baltimore, and 
had charge of the mechanical department of 
the Presbyterian Weekly, of Baltimore. On 
March 5, 1879, came back here, and worked at 
his trade for W. G. Ward, who was running 
the Radical. In the fall of 1881 he rented 
the office, but, on finding that C. E. Graham 
wanted to buy it, canceled his lease and 
worked for Mr. Graham for a year. In De- 
cember, 1883, he purchased a half interest in 
the Herald, and has been connected with 
that paper ever since. November 15, 1871, 
he was united in marriage with Emma J. 
Ililler, daughter of Henry and Lydia Hiller, 
and they have one child, Martha Inez, born 
November 7, 1 872. Mr. Murphy is a member 
of Tuscan Lodge, No. 77, Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons, and of Waseca Chapter, 
No. 26, Eoyal Arch Masons. 

CHEONICLE. 

A paper bearing the above name was estab- 
lished at New Eichland, in the fall of 1878, 
by E. P. Child, the paper being published 
in the office of the Radical, at Waseca. It 
was of but short life, lasting only some six 
months. 

THE TOWN TALK. 

On the 9th of October, 1879, a small, three 
column folio paper, under the above heading 
was issued at Waseca, with the name of T. 
White as editor. The second number bear- 
ins date of October 23, seems to have been 
the work of several hands, and this was the 
end of it. 

NEW RICHLAND REVIEW. 

An eight column folio paper was started 
in the fall of 1884, the initial number bear- 
ing date of September 24. It was published 
by Morse & Murphy, of the Herald, with 
L. M. Paschall as local editor, and, as its 
name of New Richland Review denotes, was 
a fair exponent of the business of that thriv- 
ing town. It was neatl}' and tastefully got- 
ten up, full of good advertisements and 
a credit to any village. The support it 
drew, however, was not consonant with the 



HISTORY OF WASECA COTJNTT. 



505 



wishes of the publishers, so they ceased its 
issue, on the 7th of October, 1885. 

THE NORTH STAR. 

February 4, 1886, witnessed the birth of 
the youngest of the newspapers of Waseca 
County. On that day, at the village of New 
Eichland. S. K. Gregg and M. E. Goodwin 
launched this paper upon the journalistic 
sea. In their salutatory they give their 
reasons for establishing the new ]iaper : " For 
the purpose of deriving some pecuniary ben- 
efit therefrom, and to aid, to the best ability 
in our possession, in the development and 
prosperity of the inhabitants of New Rich- 
land and the vicinity." The pajjer was a 
neatly gotten up five column quarto, a form 
which it still preserves. On the 15th of 
April, 1886, Mr. Goodwin retired from the 
firm, leaving S. K. Gregg the sole proprie- 
tor. In August, 1887, Mr. Gregg disposed 
of his interests in the North Star; to Bron- 
son & Holland, and with O. H. Bronson, in 
the chair editorial, it launches out on its 
new career, with renewed life and with 
every promise of a successful future. The 
first paper issued under the new administra- 
tion bore the date of Septembers, 1887. 

O. H. Bronson, the editor of the North 
Star, is a native of "West Monroe, Oswego 
County, N. Y., and was born September 17, 
1853. In 1859 his parents removed to 
Watertown, Wis., where be was reared. He 
attended the usual district schools and the 



college at Ripon, Wis., for several terms. 
His father was interested in a saw, stave and 
heading mill with a man by the name of 
Sanford, and he remained with them in that 
business until he had 2-eached his majority. 
He then started out for himself and landed 
in Chicago , where he was a clerk in a store 
for five years, then was in business for a 
short time on his own account, but later 
went on the road selling goods for Leonard, 
Thompson & Bates, afterward C. T. Leon- 
ard, of Minneapolis. In March, 1887, he 
came to New Richland, and took charge of 
the Washburn House, one of the leading 
hotels, which he is still running. At Hen- 
derson, Minn., December 17, 1882, he and 
Lois M Stearns were united in matrimonial 
bonds. September 5, 1887, Mr. Bronson 
took charge of the North Star, in connection 
with Mr. Holland, and is the present editor. 
He is a son of Royal P. and Antoinette Eliza 
(Duerden) Bronson. 

NEW YEAR. 

An amateur journal bearing the name 
given above made its appearance at Waseca. 
January 1, 1877, edited by Carl and Cad 
Young. It was a small two column folio, 
well printed and neatly gotten up. It was 
furnished for 50 cents a year, published bi- 
weekly. It was of but a short life, however, 
not outlasting the cold weather. The senior 
editor is now the deputy auditor of Waseca 
Count}'. 




CHAPTER XI. 




BENCH AND BAR. 



HE fundamental principle under- 
lying all law has been recognized 
from the beginning of the world. 
The Divine command to our 
first parents, " In the day thou 
eatest thou shalt surely die," is 
as much a law with the penalty 
for its violation attached, as is a 
statute enacted by the Legisla- 
ture of a State, or the Confess of 
the United States. Man in a state of semi- 
barbarism had but httle need of written law, 
for his jrossessions were but few and the peo- 
ple so scattered as to make courts imprac- 
ticable. But with the first dawn of civiliza- 
tion, came a different state of aifairs. Trac- 
ing back through the dim corridors of time 
to the oldest civilization known, that of 
Egypt, we find them with a complete code 
of laws, and all the machinery of regularly 
appointed courts. And from thence uj) to 
the present time courts presided over b}' 
judges, and advocates to jirosecute or defend 
cases have always existed in almost every 
land and clime. Almost the first thine in 
this bright land of ours when a settlement is 
made; is the appointing of the proper law 
officers, that disputes may be adjusted, life 
and property be protected, and criminals be 
punished. In view of this fact, the framers 
of our State constitution instituted certain 
courts of justice, each with well defined 
powers. Changes have been constantly 
made in the laws, and some in the jurisdic- 
tion of the courts, from time to time, but the 
rights of all, be they high or be they low, 
have been carefully protected. Some of the 
ablest men in the State have adorned the 
bench from time to time. In many a court 



has been heard the brilliant pleading of some 
legal light for some wrong sustained by his 
client, or listened to the scathing, withering 
denunciation of some criminal act. A his- 
tory of the courts of a county, of its judges, 
and of its lawyers, is an important compo-, 
nent of the whole and should not be neglected. 

THE FIRST LAWSUIT IN WASECA COUNTY. 

The first lawsuit in what is now "Waseca 
County, took place in the summer of 1856. 
The history of the case was about as follows : 
Two brothers, William and John Jaques, 
came here from Iowa, some time in June, 
and made a pretense of looking for some 
government land. Their first camp was in 
the neighborhood of Mr. Sutlief's cabin. 
They were eternally asking questions about 
claims; who had preempted; who claimed 
more land than the law allowed ; who had 
claims to sell; who had lived up to the 
requirements of the law, and who had not; 
and numerous others of the same tenor. 
Passing along through the settlement they 
plied these questions to all they came in 
contact with. In what is now St. Mary 
Township thej^ thought the}' found just the 
case that suited them. 

It seems that a small German settlement 
had been made here in 1855, and among 
them, one Gotlieb Prechel, who had taken a 
farm about three-quarters of a mile below 
St. Mary village, on the line of the Win- 
nebago reservation. During the winter 
of 1855-C, he had entered his land and re- 
ceived his papers therefor. During the sum- 
mer he had erected a log cabin and broken 
up some five or ten acres. He had a crop 
in, and was fencing it, when these two broth- 



506 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



507 



ers came that way, and as it Avas not gener- 
ally known that Prechel had paid for the 
land, and judging from what they heard, 
they determined to jump this claim. Nobody 
but a Dutchman claimed it ; he could be 
driven or frightened off. There was a house 
ready to their hands, breaking and fencing 
begun ; there was a fine piece of land, prairie, 
timber and water ; why not enter into pos- 
session. 

They accordingly moved into the cabin, 
Mr. Prechel, on account of the proximity of 
the Indians and a natural timidity on the 
part of his family, not having yet occupied 
it, but boarded with ilartin Krassin, three 
miles distant. As soon as Prechel heard 
of the unwarrantable seizure of his place, in 
company with his brother-in-law, Krassin, 
took a team, and proceeding to the farm, 
commenced chopping and getting out fenc- 
ing. The Jaques boys heard the sound of 
the axe, and soon came to see about it, and 
ordered the Germans off the premises rather 
roughh'. Neither of the Teutons could speak 
or understand much English, but tried hard 
to make the intruders understand that the 
land was theirs, and that it had been paid 
for. This they would not believe, or failed 
to catch the meaning of, and again ordered 
them off. Prechel, being a timid man, kept 
quiet, and was for going away and taking 
counsel on the matter, but Martin was made 
of a sterner stuff, stood boldly to the front, 
and in turn ordered the intruders away, as 
they, Prechel and himself, had the best right 
there. This brought on hostilities, John 
Jaques immediately making an assault upon 
Krassin, and pounded the poor German 
about the face and eyes, that soon he was 
hardly able to see. The Germans then with- 
drew, and being quite indignant, started off 
to invoke the majesty of the law. John 
Jenkins, then justice of the peace, was dul3' 
consulted, -but as lawyers were then an 
unknown quantity in the new settlement, 
some difficulty was had; but after some 
study, an affidavit to the facts was made. 



and a warrant for the arrest of the aggres- 
sors placed in the hands of John G. Green- 
ing, then actmg constable, who, summoning 
a posse, started for the apprehension of the 
culprits, and found William alone, his brother 
being absent. Going to a neighbor's they 
caught sight of him, but he fled. They pur- 
sued him and he took refuge in the river. 
On one side of it stood the posse, on the 
other the constable. Being ordered to sur- 
render he refused, whereupon the officer 
drew a pistol, but Jaques threw a club which 
he had in his hand at his would-be captor, 
who shut his eyes and dodged. Taking 
advantage of this, Jaques jumped to the 
land,rushed past the constable, and took to the 
woods. After spending some time in search 
of him, the discomfited official started back, 
taking "William Jaques with him, and 
brought him before the court. But he being 
the wrong party, was discharged. Consid- 
erable search was made for John, but he 
could not be found. 

A suit was now brought for willful tres- 
pass upon the premises, as the brothers had 
considerable property with them, and Mr. 
McCarty was emploj'ed to jirosecute. "Wdl- 
iam Jaques was again arrested and i-equired 
to plead to the charge of trespass. He set 
up the plea of not guilty, and defended his 
own case ; but the prosecution was too much 
for him, and made out a clear case, and 
judgment for damages was rendered against 

him. 

John Jaques, in the meantime, was skulk- 
ing about the county to avoid arrest, but on 
the conclusion of the trial they did not want 
to settle in this county, so shook the dust off 
their feet and departed. They settled in 
Brown Countj^ on the Minnesota River, and 
became the terror of the people in that sec- 
tion of countr3\ They afterward made a 
trip to this county and stole a horse, but on 
being arrested settled with Mr. Patrick 
McCullough, the owner of the beast. 

DISTRICT COURTS. 

At the village of Wilton, then the seat of 



508 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



justice of Waseca County, on the 12th daj^ 
of October, 1857, Hon. Charles E.Flandrau, 
at that time associate justice of the supreme 
court of the Territory of Minnesota, opened 
the first district court in this county. From 
the records it may be learned, that, on the first 
day of the court, " the grand jury being ab- 
sent, and no civil business appearing," the 
court adjourned until afternoon, when, on 
reassembling, the grand jury was impan- 
eled. 

After due deliberation, the grand jur}^ on 
the morning of the 14th, returned an indict- 
ment against William 11. Chamberlain, etal., 
on which the judge ordered that a bench war- 
rant be issued for the apprehension of the 
parties, and that they be held in the sum of 
$250 each, as bail. This was a trivial case, 
and at a subsequent tei'm the indictment was 
quashed. 

An indictment against Peter Farrell, for 
murder, was by the grand jury returned, and 
the court ordered that a bench warrant be 
issued for the apprehension of the guilty 
party. It seems that on the day previous, 
at an election held in the precinct of Em- 
pire, now Iosco, there was some kind of a 
drunken row. Peter Farrell having imbibed 
a large quantity of " corn juice," grew pug- 
nacious. A fracas occurred, during which 
Farrell stabbed Jacob Hagadorn, a neighbor, 
with whom he had been on the best of terms. 
Many stories are rife in regard to this, but it 
is generally believed that his intention was 
to kill some other person, but in his drunken 
fury mistook his man, or that, in the melee, 
could not distinguish friend from foe. In- 
dictments were also presented against John 
H. Wheeler and Richard Toner, as accesso- 
ries to the murder. Farrell was arrested and 
sent to Stillwater to be put in the jail, but 
managed to escape and left the country, and 
was never seen here again ; but it is reported 
that during the war some of the residents of 
this county saw and recognized him, at New 
Orleans. Wheeler and Toner were put upon 
trial, but were finally acquitted by the jury 



and discharged by order of the court. 

At this term of court, John Bradish ap- 
plied for admission to practice as an attor- 
ney in the courts of the Territory, and his 
suit was granted and his name enrolled as 
an attorney by the court. 

On the 2d of September, 1858, the second 
term was commenced, with Hon. N. M. Don- 
aldson, judge of the 5th judicial district, on 
the bench. At this session Alfred B. Web- 
ber and P. Brink Enos, on application were 
recognized as practicing attornej^s in the 
courts of this State. The first civil suit tried 
in Waseca County came before this court. 
It was that of Joseph T. Dexter vs. David 
A. Springer, a case of appeal from justice 
court. At the April term, Alexander John- 
ston and Hial D. Baldwin were admitted to 
the bar, as full-fledged lawyers. 

At the April term, 1859, the first petit jury 
was impaneled to try the case of Richard 
Toner, spoken of above. It consisted of the 
following names : A. J. Watton, John Mc- 
Cue, L. P. Stowell, Caleb Northup, Michael 
Kinney, Daniel Riggle, J. A. Wheeler, C. O. 
Norton, C. E. Williamson, F. Glover, J. M. 
Blivens and Ole Knutson. 

Hon. N. M. Donaldson, the first judge over 
the 5th judical district, of which Waseca 
County has always formed a part, held this 
position until 1872. 

At the February term, 1872, Hon. F. M. 
Crosby appeared at Waseca and held court ; 
but this was but temporary, for at the ses- 
sion held in May of the same year, Hon. 
Samuel Lord took the position of judge, and 
remained in that capacity until 1880. 

On the 16th of March, 1880, the court was 
opened with the new judge, Hon. Thomas 
Buckham, on the bench. Mathew Keeley 
was the sheriff and James B. Haj'den clerk. 
The judge has continued to occupy this ex- 
alted position until now, being the present 
incumbeni. 

A'n'ORNEYS. 

Probably the first resident lawyer in 
Waseca Countv was John Bradish, who was 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



509 



duly admitted to practice in the courts of the 
Territory of Minnesota at the first term of 
the district court, held in October, 1 857, at 
Wilton. He is still a resident of the county, 
being engaged in the real-estate and insur- 
ance business at Janesville. Mr. Bradish 
was somewhat of a retiring disposition, and 
seldom if ever did much practice in the dis- 
trict court, confining his practice to justice 
courts. 

Alfred Webber and P. Brink Enos were 
the next lawyers, having been recognized as 
such at the September term of court, 1858. 
Webber was a resident of Faribault at the 
time and afterward. 

P. Brink Enos came to this county from 
Woodstock, 111., early in 1858, and located 
at Wilton. He was a talented man, full of 
fun but reckless, and soon got into bad hab- 
its. He left here and went to Nebraska, 
where he died. 

Hial D. Baldwin and Alexander Johnston 
applied to the court in April, 1859, for ad- 
mission to the bar, and upon motion the judge, 
Hon. N. M. Donaldson, appointed P. B. 
Enos, H. C. Lowell and A. J. Tanner a com- 
mittee of examination. The two latter gen- 
tlemen named were residents of Faribault, 
Rice County, at that time. They having re- 
turned a favorable report, the two applicants 
were brought into court and duly declared 
authorized to practice before' the courts of 
the State. 

H. D. Baldwin was officially connected 
with the county and mention of him is made 
in the chapter devoted to county representa- 
tion. 

Alexander Johnston came to this county 
with his father-in law, W. N. Buckhout, 
from New York State, in 1856, and settled 
for a time in Janesville. Later he removed 
to Wilton, and in company with S. J. Willis 
commenced the journal known as the Waseca 
Home Views in the spring of 1861. About 
a year or two later Mr. Johnston removed to 
Faribault, and from there to St. Paul, where 
he now lives. 



W. T. Kittredge was probably the next at- 
torney to locate in this county. He was born 
in Cleveland, Ohio, where his father was an 
eminent physician. He was considerable of 
a scholar, being a graduate of one of the 
leading colleges, and on attaining his major- 
ity, came west and located at Wilton. On 
the breaking out of the war, he entered the 
Fourth Minnesota Infantry as a lieutenant, 
and afterward rose to the rank of cap- 
tain, assistant adjutant general, and major. 
After the close of hostilities he returned to 
Wilton, and, in company with H. D. Bald- 
win, opened a law office and banking insti- 
tution, which they afterward removed to 
Waseca. There they failed, as is detailed in 
the annals of that city. He is now a resi- 
dent of the West. 

James E. Child, so long connected with the 
journalism of Waseca County, was admitted 
to the bar at the February term of court, 
1863. A sketch of this gentleman is given 
in the chapter devoted to the history of the 
press of the county. 

At the August term, 1863, George La Dow 
was, on motion of H. D. Baldwin, admitted 
to practice in the courts of the State of Min- 
nesota. He had studied law with Judge 
Stroud, of Illinois, and, on being admitted to 
the bar, went to Waupaca, Wis., where he 
commenced practice. In the summer of 1863 
he, in company with Edgar Cronkhite, came 
through Wilton, on their road to Mankato, 
where they calculated to open offices. Meet- 
ing H. P. Norton at Wilton, they were in- 
duced to stay here. Mr. La Dow was an ex- 
cellent speaker, good lawyer and excellent 
company, and, being quite portly, was the 
subject of many jokes. In 1867 he was in- 
terested in the town of Clear Lake City, 
which did not materialize to his satisfaction, 
so he left this county and went to Oregon, 
where he was elected to Congress, but died 
of heart disease before taking his seat. 

P. H. Swift, one of the first attorneys to 
locate in the rising town of Waseca, in 
February, 1868, entered into a partnership 



510 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



with C. E. Lewis, but before May of the 
same year they dissolved. In the early part 
of 1870 Mr. Smith removed from here to 
Eenville County, which district he has since 
represented in the State Legislature. 

J. N. Powers, mentioned elsewhere, was a 
practicing attorney for a little while at Wilton 
in an early day. 

W. E. Young, a young and able attorney, 
for several years was in practice in Janesville, 
but in 1887 left tliere, going to Mankato, 
where he is one of the firm of Brown & 
Toung. 

M. D. L. CoUester, a practicing attorney, 
settled at Waseca in 1872, and remained 
in that city until 1885, when he moved to 
Mankato, where he is following his jirofes- 
sion. He was born in Marlboro, IST. H., in 
January, 1839. He fitted for college at 
Power's Institute, Bernardstown, Mass., 
graduated from Middlebury College, Ver- 
mont, in 1865, and read law at Newport, IST. 
H., where he was admitted to the bar. He 
came West in 1867, remaining for a while in 
Minneapolis, but during the following year 
moved to Faribault, where he was engaged 
in teaching in the Shattuck School, and from 
there came to the city of Waseca. 

W. R. Kinder came to this county about 
the year 1877, from Hamilton, Ohio, where 
his father was engaged in the practice of law. 
He first located at or near Janesville, but 
later came to Waseca, where he studied 
law with Lewis Brownell, and after a course 
or two at the Cincinnati Law School, was ad- 
mitted to the bar in tiiis county and prac- 
ticed here until 1884. On the 13th of Au- 
gust of that year he died. 

John Carmody practiced law for several 
years in Waseca, settling there about 1870. 
He is now a resident of Hillsboro, D. T. He 
was the first to occupy the office of munici- 
pal judge in Waseca. 

In the fall of 1884, the legal firm of Wash- 
burn & Maddox opened an office in Waseca, 
and practiced their profession. In June, 
1887, the firm dissolved, Washburn removing 



to Austin, Minn., where he is the proprietor 
of the A ustm Transcrijyt. Maddox remained 
until the last of July, 1887, when he, too, 
left to look up a place in which to pursue 
his profession. 

James Quirk was among the attorneys of 
the county, having been located at Waseca 
for several j^ears. He is now engaged in the 
practice of his profession at Waterville, Minn. 

The present bar of Waseca County is rep- 
resented by the following named attorney's, 
who are all engaged in practice : P. Mc- 
Govern, W. G. Ward, E. B. CoUester, Lewis 
Brownell, B. S. Lewis, S. D. Crump, C. E. 
Leslie, W. D. Abbott and John Moonan, of 
Waseca, and A. J. O'Grady and L. D. Rogers 
of Janesville. 

Benedict S. Lewis was born in Cortland 
County, N. Y., December 20, 1839. His par- 
ents, in the year 1851, removed to Columbia 
County, Wis., and in the latter State, B. S. 
received the most of his education, although 
well grounded before he left his native State. 
He attended the University of Wisconsin, at 
Madison, and Union College, State of New 
York, graduating from the latter in 1864. 
After that he taught school for about two 
years, and then began the stud}' of law at 
Madison, Wis., with Gregory & Pinney, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1867. For 
about a year he practiced his profession at 
Lodi, Wis., but in 1868 came to the then 
young village of Waseca, and commenced the 
duties of his chosen profession, and has 
been identified with the history of the bar, 
of this county ever since. July 7, 1869, B. S. 
Lewis and Mary Eaton, a native of Wiscon- 
sin, were united in marriage, and they have 
been the parents of three children : Harlow 
E. ; Esther Irma and Mary E. In 1884, in 
addition to his otherwise large practice, Mr. 
Lewis was made attorney for the Minneapo- 
lis & St. Louis Railroad for this and several 
adjacent counties. He is a member of Tus- 
can Lodge, No. 77, Ancient Fi'ee and Accept- 
ed Masons, and of Waseca Chapter, No. 
26, Royal Arch Masons. Close attention to 



HISTORY OF WASECA COITNTY. 



511 



his business and to tlie interests of his cli- 
ents, has won for him an enviable reputation, 
both as a man and as a lawyer, and he 
enjoys the respect and esteem of all. 

Eugene B. Collester was born in Gardner, 
Mass., December 20, 1847, and received his 
early education in the excellent schools of 
his native city. He entered Amherst College, 
from which he graduated with honors in 
1873, and later moved to New London, Conn., 
where he became principal of Bulkeley high 
school, and remained in that capacity until 
1880, when he came to the city of Waseca 
and entered upon the practice of law, he 
having read for that profession previously. 
April 6, 1875, he and Sarah Jane Hollande, 
a native of Connecticut, united their destinies 
in marriage, and they are the parents of one 
child, Alice M., born September 26, 1877. In 
the spring of 1887, Mr. Collester was elected 
mayor of the city of "Waseca, and now fills 
that onerous office. He is a member of Tus- 
can Lodge, No. 77, Ancient Free and Accept- 
ed Masons, and of Comee Lodge, No. 25, Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. A compara- 
tively young man, blessed with a liberal 
education and great native talent and energy, 
he is one of the rising attorneys of this part of 
the State and has a bright future before him. 

W. D. Abbott, of the firm of Sawyer, 
Abbott & Sawyer, is one of the prominent 
attorneys of Waseca. He is a native of 
Clinton Falls, Steele County, Minn., and is 
the son of Asa J. and Mary (Piper) Abbott. 
He was reared on his father's farm, attending 
the district schools when his help was not 
required at home. Entering the Pillsbury 



Academy of Owatonna, he graduated there- 
from in 1879, and then attended the Carleton 
College. In September, 1883, he commenced 
reading law with Sawyer & Sawyer, of 
Owatonna, and applying himself diligently 
to his studies was duly admitted to the bar, 
in Steele County, June 5, 1884. He remained 
in that city until March, 1886, when became 
to Waseca, and opened the present office of 
the firm, the other members of which re- 
mained in Owatonna. October 7, 1886, he 
was united in marriage with Lorena M. 
Adams, of Kice County, this State. Mr. 
Abbott is a member of Waseca Lodge, No. 
44, Knights of Pythias, of which he is the 
present chancellor commander. 

A. J. O'Grady, an attorney of Janesville, 
came to that village in May, 1878, opened 
an office and has remained there ever since. 
He is a native of Ireland, born in July, 1847, 
but came to this country with his grandpar- 
ents, in 1849. They located in the State of 
New York, where they lived until 1855, when 
they moved to Wayne County, Pa. In 
1858, they came west and settled in St. 
Mary, Waseca County, where the old people 
died. A. J. resided with them until Janu- 
ary, 1864, when he enlisted in Company H, 
Tenth Minnesota Infantry, under Col. J. H. 
Baker, and was with the corps commanded 
by Gen. A. J. Smith, until his discharge 
Ausjust 19, 1865. Then returned to Waseca 
County, and in 1876 commenced to read 
law, and March 23, 1878, was admitted to 
the bar, and then came to Janesville, hung 
out his shingle, and commenced the practice 
of his profession. 



CHAPTER XII. 




EDUCATIONAL- 



HEN upon that cold and stormy 
day in December, 1620, the noble 
band of pilgrims landed upon the 
bleak and desolate shore of New 
England, their first thought was 
of religious duty, the second of 
schools and academies. They 
came fleeing from the religious 
intolerance of the old world, to 
found a commonwealth of their 
own in the wilds of America. Scarce had 
they landed when all were assembled, and 
prayers and religious services were held, the 
echos of which still reverberate around the 
world ; for in their prayers they sought the 
Divine assistance to found a colony where 
freedom and education could go hand in 
hand ; and, if in after years their stern creed 
of morals and religious asceticism led them 
into intolerant acts towai'd their neighbors, 
still the general movement was toward the 
light of libert^y and education. 

There, on the stony soil of old Massachu- 
setts, these stern and rigid moralists first 
planted the seed of our grand system of 
educational facilities. There they originated 
the district school that has outlasted them 
and their other institutions, seen govern- 
ments wax old and pass away, and survived 
the throes of revolution, when these colonies 
revolted from the galling yoke of Britannia. 
In the land of its birth the system of district 
schools, with its board of selectmen, still 
survives, with but little change from that of 
the original plan that was planted two centu- 
ries and a half ago. The sons and daughters 
of New EnglantI, in their journey toward a 
home in the West, carried with them the 
precious seed, and planting it in fruitful soil 



It flourished and grew until it far overshad- 
owed the parent tree. In Minnesota such 
has been the fostering care of our ofovern- 
ment. it has reached the very acme of per- 
fection. In the constitution of the State is ' 
distinctly declared, that " The stability of a 
Kepublican foi'm- of government depending 
mainly upon the intelligence of the people, 
it shall be the duty of the Legislature to es- 
tablish a general and uniform system of pub- 
lic schools." In accordance with this, laws 
have been passed, amended, repealed, others 
passed, until the present school-law of the 
State stands unequaled in the world, a mon- 
ument to the care and labor bestowed upon 
it. 

When the county was first organized the 
system of a superintendent of town schools 
was in vogue, but that proving nnreliable 
and too cumbersome, it was soon changed 
to the present system of 

COUNTY SUPEBINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. 

The first to occup}' this important and re- 
sponsible position in Waseca County, was 
Rev. Elijah S. Smith, a Baptist clergyman, 
then laboring in the village of Wilton. He 
was appointed to the position on the 8th of 
March, 1864:, and was to receive for his ser- 
vices the sum of $100 jper annum. Mr. Smith 
had come to this county from Illinois in 
1856 or 1857, and had built up a church, and 
now he wanted to try his hand at religion's 
twin-brother, education. He did his work 
well, and was succeeded in 1867 by James 
E. Child, who ably carried on the work of his 
])redecessor. He held it for onl}'^ one year, 
liowever, his other business interests inter- 
fering with its successful advancement. 



.512 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtTNTT. 



513 



In the spring of 1868 Jesse Poland came 
into this office, but did not continue therein 
for any length of time, for in the month of 
September of the same year the board of 
commissioners, finding it vacant, appointed 
the Rev. S. T. Catlin, a Baptist clergyman, 
to the place, at a yearly salary of $300. On 
the expiration of the time for which he was 
appointed, in the fall of 1869, he was elected 
to this office, but declined to serve, although 
the board offered to raise the salary, so much 
had he pleased them and the people. He 
removed to Wisconsin. 

At their April session, 1870, the board of 
county commissioners seeing that Mr. Cat- 
lin refused to quality for the office, ap- 
pointed Dr. R. O. Craig to fill the vacancy, 
and he served until the expiration of the 
term. 

In 1871, at the regular election, Dr. M. S. 
Gove was chosen to fill this position, but de- 
clining to serve, the board appointed H. G. 
Mosher one of their number to the vacancy. 
This gentleman, filling the office to the sat- 
isfaction of the people of the county, was 
elected and reelected to the position, occu- 
pying it until 1880. 

Dr. M. Y. Hunt, one of the leading 
physicians of the county, was elected to the 
office of superintendent in the fall of 1879, 
and fulfilled the duties of that position 
through the years 1880 and 1881. 

In 1882 Dr. D. S. Cummings, another of 
the prominent members of the medical pro- 
fession of Waseca County, became the occu- 
pant of this responsible office, and served 
the people in the capacity of superintendent 
for four years. 

J. B. Dye, the present efficient superin- 
tendent of schools of Waseca County, entered 
upon the duties of his office with the begin- 
ning of the year 1886. He is a native of Mont- 
gomery County, N. Y., born July 13, 1834. 
He is a son of Rev. E. P. and Lovina (Bailey) 
Dye, both natives of the Empire State. Rev. 
E. P. Dye was the pastor of several Baptist 
Churches for a number of years in New 



York State, then in Hebron, Jefferson 
County, Wis., then in New York again. Rock 
County, Wis., Sheboygan, the same State, 
Steele and Dodge counties, Minn., were each 
the scene of his labors for Christ. He is 
now at Clinton Junction, Rock County, Wis. 
J. B. remained with his parents until he was 
sixteen years old, when he learned the trade 
of wagon-making at North Brookfield, Mad- 
ison County, N. Y. When his parents re- 
turned to Wisconsin he came with them, 
and for a time was in a store at Hebron. 
Not liking his situation he secured a place 
as school teacher and taught four months, 
and then decided to follow and fit himself 
for that profession. He then attended the 
Milton College, entering the teachers' class, 
and remained there several terms, teaching 
during the winter and going to school during 
the summer. In the spring of 1855 he came 
to Minnesota and bought a quarter section 
of land in Rice County, paying $200 for it. 
He returned to Wisconsin and resumed 
teaching, and in the following spring came 
back to Faribault. Selling his land in 1857 
for some $900 more than he paid for it, he 
returned to Wisconsin and took chai'ge of 
the high school at Palmyra for one term. 
From there he moved to Centerville and re- 
mained there teaching until 1873, when he 
came to Waseca. He taught the school in 
the city for one year and then removed to 
Dodge County, where he taught school and 
carried on a farm he haVl purchased there. 
Four years later he sold out there and came 
back to Waseca, where he has since resided, 
teaching every year but one. In Novem- 
ber, 1886, he was elected county superin- 
tendent of schools. Mr. Dye and Georgianna 
Chesebro were united in marriage April 3, 
1862, and they have four children : Alice 
L., born May 10, 1864 ; Burt U., born Janu- 
ary 18, 1868 ; Nellie G., born May 26, 1877, 
and John E., born April 6, 1880. The eld- 
est, Alice L., is the wife of John C. Young, 
of Waseca. Rev. E. P. Dye was born in 
Onondago County, N. Y., in November. 



514 



HISTORY OF WASEOA COUNTY. 



1810. His wife died at Clinton Junction, 
"Wis., in September, 1878. 

THE DEVELOPMENT. 

From the time of the first settlement of 
the county, and the time of the organization 
of the 1st district, the number of school dis- 
tricts increased very rapidly, and educa- 
tional facilities became more and more ef- 
ficient. Every decade showed a marked 
contrast to the preceding one. The follow- 
ing abstract will show the status of educa- 
tional matters of the count}' in 1871, sixteen 
years after its first settlement, and just six- 
teen years ago : 

No. of school districts in the county 71 

No. of children of school age in county 3,095 

No. of pupils enrolled, winter 1,807 

Average daily attendance, winter 1,039 

No. of teachers, winter 64 

Average wages, winter |33.28 

No. pupils enrolled, summer 1,680 

Average attendance, summer 840 

No. of teachers, summer 59 

Average wages, summer $22.81 

No. of schoolhouses, frame 39 

No. of schoolhouses, brick . 1 

No. of schoolhouses, log 24 

Value of all school buildings 125,335.00 

Amt. of money rec'd from State ^ 4,109.08 

Amt. of money rec'd from tax from district, $12,444.76 

Amt. paid for .sclioolhouse property $ 4,712.74 

Amt. paid teachers $11,576.57 

Amt. contingent expenses $ 1,302.69 

Amt. on hand , $ 1,715.14 

One of the county superintendents of this 
count}' in his report, uses the following Ian. 
guage in speaking of the matters committed 
to his charge : 

" The most interesting feature of improve- 
ment is the fact that teachers are more fully 
awake in a common-sense matter, viz : That 
their pecuniary interests demand better qual- 
ification ; that demand is ever regulated by 
supply, and that the world is not indilTerent 
to the result of skilled labor ; and that the 
interest our school officers are evincing in 
our school work increases. "Where last spring 
one director said to me : ' She will do to 
teach our summer school ; we can get her 
cheap,' — the same man said to me this 



spring, ' Eecommend us a good teacher, 
money is no object.' And I am fully con- 
vinced that in man}' districts of this county 
a known poor teacher cannot get employ- 
ment at any price, while a known good and 
faithful one will be secured regardless of 
cost. This is progress ; the laborer is worthy 
of his hire, and in no department more than 
ours." 

PRESENT CONDITION. 

From the last statistical report a number 
of items have been collected, which will show 
conclusively the present condition of educa- 
tional matters in Waseca County : 
No. of scholars entitled to apportionment.. 3,740 

No. of scholars not entitled to the same. . . . 137 

No. enrolled, winter 2,452 

No. enrolled, summer 3,389 

Average attendance, winter 2,010 

Average attendance, summer 1,866 

Average length of school, months 5}^ 

No. of teachers employed, winter, males. . . 30 

No. of teachers employed, winter, females. 86 

No. of teachers emplo)'ed, summer, males. . ' 4 

No. of teachersemployed, summer, females. 98 

Average monthly wages, males . . $39.05 

Average monthly wages, females $24.68 

Teachers graduates of normal school 3 

No. common school districts 89 

No. independent districts 2 

No . schoolhouses, frame 82 

No. schoolhouses, brick 5 

No. schoolhouses, log 6 

Value of school houses and sites $75,235.00 

Value of school fixtures, etc $7,620.00 

SCHOOL FUND. 

Cash on hand at beginning of year $8,608.03 

Rec'd from school fund, fines, estrays, etc. . 6,829.68 

Rec'd from 1 mill tax, collected 3,947.81 

Rec'd from special tax collected 22,656.53 

Rec'd from bonds sold 1,750.00 

Rec'd from other sources 2,517.88 

Total $46,309.93 

CONTRA . 

Paid for teachers' salary and board $22,699.25 

Paid for wood and school supplies 3,980.40 

Paid for repairs and improving grounds. . . . 3,933.22 

Paid for new schoolhouses and sites 1,304.81 

Paid for interest and paying bonds 3,485.29 

Paid for other purposes 1,516.68 

Cash on hand at end of year 10,484.28 

Total $46,309.93 



CHAPTER XIII. 




AGKICULTURE AND AGRICULTUEAL SOCIETIES. 



high 



HE count}' of Waseca is ranked 

among the most prosperous of 

the agricultural counties in the 

State. Its people are, as a rule, 

awake and keep step in the 

progressive march of the times. 

Its future possibilities may be 

in the bright galaxy of sister 

the golden diadem of Minne- 



set 

stars in 

sota. The early pioneers did not come loaded 
with wealth, in fact few had more than 
enough to barely get settled upon their 
lands ; but they came with that which was, 
in those days, equal to it, training in agri- 
cultural jnu'suits, brawny hands that were 
able and not ashamed to do hard work, and 
in connection with industrious habits, the 
energy and determination of success. The 
country was new, and there was no alterna- 
tive but that success must be wrought from 
the soil, which was their only wealth and 
their only hope. In spite of all the obstacles 
and hardships to be encountered, success has 
attended their efforts, and the transforma- 
tion from the primitive wilderness to the 
])resent comfortable condition of affairs ac- 
complished. Nor is the end yet reached, 
for the county still has amine of agricultural 
wealth undeveloped, which, as years roll on, 
will grow moi'e and more valuable, and when 
a cycle of cultivated maturity shall dawn to 
transform the yet unsubdued lands, to wav- 
ing fields of nodding grain, Waseca County 
will occupy a place among the foremost 
ranks of Minnesota's banner counties. 

A little pamphet published by the Wilton 
Weekly Netos, in 1867, from the pen of the 
editor, gives a comprehensive view of the 
history of the agriculture of the county at 



that time, and the compiler of these annals 
is of the opinion that nothing can show the 
early condition of that branch of the county's 
history like the article in question, hence it 
is freely quoted from. Says the little book : 
" Wheat is the principal cereal raised in the 
county. Spring wheat is raised generally 
throughout this district, and winter wheat 
in the timbered portions. The writer has 
made considerable exertion to obtain facts 
and figures by which to make a statement of 
the amount produced per acre, on an aver- 
age, throughout the county each year, but 
has only been able to find reliable reports for 
the years 1859, 1860, 1862 and 1865. In 1859 
the yield per acre was 20 bushels ; in 1860 
22 bushels ; in 1862, 22|- bushels, and in 1865, 
21 bushels. These figures are taken from 
the compiled reports, as found in the audi- 
tor's office, and are certainly low enough. 
The reports of the other years were never 
made out, or, at least, cannot be found. The 
writer, however, having been a resident of 
the county ever since its first settlement, is 
enabled to state, as his opinion, that the av- 
erage yield for the past seven years, has 
never been less than 18 bushels to the acre. 
A yield of 25 or 30 bushels to the acre is 
considered nothing very extraordinary. It 
should be borne in mind by the reader, that 
the average yields above given include all 
kinds of wheat growers, good, bad and mid- 
dling. 

" The superior quality of the wheat grown 
in this county is shown by its weight, when 
compared with the same in other localities. 
The wheat of this county, except that of 
1866, weighs from 61 to 65 pounds to the 
bushel, whilst in Ohio and Pennsylvania it 



515 



516 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



only averages from 58 to 60, and in Illinois 
from 54 to 58 pounds to the bushel. As a 
wheat producing county it is not excelled. 
' " Oats, so far, has only been cultivated for 
home consumption. The yield of this grain 
for the year 1862, as shown by the assessors' 
lists, was 35 bushels to the acre ; and for 
the year 1865, 40 bushels per acre. When 
sowed on high uplands, oats yield remarka- 
bly well ; but on low or wet lands they gen- 
erally lodge, do not fill, and turn out a failure. 

" Rye is not generally raised here, although 
a few crops grown by some of the Germans 
of the county have shown that it can be 
successfully raised here. 

" Barley up to this time has received but 
little attention in this county. The total 
amount raised in 1865, as appears by the 
assessors' lists, was only 3,366 bushels, at an 
average yield per acre of 27 bushels. 

" In regard to corn : the oft repeated ques- 
tion, 'Can you raise sound corn in Minne- 
sota?' has been emphatically answered in the 
affirmative by the experience of the farmers 
of Waseca County. It is true there have 
been seasons in which the corn crop failed ; 
but during the eleven years which have 
elapsed since the first settlement, there have 
been only two general failures of this crop : 
one in 1863, the other in 1866. The corn 
crop in this county for the year 1860 
averaged 34 bushels to the acre; in 1861 
and 1862,35 bushels ; and in 1865, 37 bushels 
to the acre. It should be borne in mind that 
this average is from the amount saved, which, 
as a rule, does not exceed four-fifths of the 
actual amount raised. 

" Potatoes are only raised here as yet for 
iiorae consumption, and are of superior qual- 
ity and excellence. The average yield per 
acre is about 140 bushels. 

" Sorghum has been quite extensively 
raised in this county, yielding from two to 
three hundred gallons per acre. Undoubt- 
edly its cultivation will be continued with 
more or less success, so long as sugars shall 
command their present high price. 



" The absence of the choice, cultivated fruit 
of the more eastern States is, in a measure, 
supplied by the variety and great abundance 
of wild fruits which abound in every thicket 
throughout the county. Crab apples are 
everywhere present ; and a species of wild 
l)lura, scarcely inferior to the cultivated fruit, 
abounds everywhere in the county. The wild 
grape-vine grows luxuriantly and yields pro- 
fusely, in every wooded glen. Strawberries 
grow and thrive on the prairies. Goose- 
berries and wild currants abound in the 
woodlands along the Le Sueur Eiver, and 
blackberries and red and black raspberries 
spring up in the outskirts of every grove 
and woodland. Numerous young apple-tree 
orchards have been planted in the county, 
two of which have already borne fruit. 
The gentlemen who have succeeded in rais- 
ing apples in the county are Philo Wood- 
ruff, of Blooming Grove, and W. G. AUyn, 
of Janesville. 

" In regard to vegetables, the annual vines, 
squashes, pumjtkins, etc., thrive remarkably 
well, and nowhere are finer melons to be 
found than in the patches which constitute 
a part of every garden and homestead in the 
country. The wild fruits, with the tomato 
and pie plant, form a good substitute for the 
apple and other fruits of the older States. 

" There is no other State or country which 
can excel Waseca County in raising turnips, 
rutabagas, beets, carrots, cabbages, parsnips, 
etc. The yield of these useful vegetables is 
so enormous as scarcely to be credited by 
those who have never witnessed it. Rutaba- 
gas are raised very extensively by some farm- 
ers for feeding stock. 

"There is no lack of native nutritious 
grasses in the county, both for pasture and for 
hay. Even the highest prairie can be mowed, 
yielding one ton of hay to the acre and often 
two, while the bottom lands along the 
streams frequently yield three and sometimes 
four tons to the acre. The prevailing grass 
in the county is what is called red-top blue- 
joint, a variety that is almost, if not quite, 





(o£CEAS£Oj 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



519 



equal to the best varieties of cultivated 
grasses. Persons arriving here from the 
East any time in August with cattle to pro- 
vide for, will always find sufficient grass 
from which to make any needed quantity of 
hay, as the grass retains its nutriment until 
the frost strikes it. The county is already 
noted for being one of the best in the State 
for stock-raising. 

" The general excellence of the grasses of 
the county is manifested in the fine quality 
and general healthf ulness of all kinds of stock, 
whicli forms so large a portion of the farm- 
ing capital of the county. The number of 
horses in the county on the 1st day of June, 
1866, was 1,473 ; assessed value, $78,091. 
The whole number of cattle on the same date 
was 4,985 : assessed value, $74,863. Official 
reports of dairy productions in the county 
show an average yield of 72 pounds to each 
cow, while in Iowa shows an average of only 
47 pounds, and Illinois 42 pounds. 

" There are no better cattle raised, on an 
average, than are to be found among the 
native stock of Waseca County. 

" Quite a number of our farmers have 
turned their attention to sheep-raising. Ac- 
cording to official reports, the number of 
sheep in the county June 1, 1866, was 1,925 ; 
asessed value, $9,169. The average of wool 
per sheep is 4 pounds, which would give 
23,700 pounds at a cash valuation of $11,850. 
The general dryness and healthfulness of the 
climate, the abundant supply of pure water, 
the vast extent and richness of free pastur- 
age, make this one of the finest locations in 
the world for raising sheep. 

"The number of hogs in the county, as 
reported in June, 1866, was 1,658, at an 
assessed value of $4,207. Hogs, like all other 
animals in Waseca County, are healthy and 
thrive well. Pork fattened here is peculiarly 
sweet and healthy." 

Since the data of the above, wonderful ad- 
vances have been made in the line of agri 
cultural productions, and the county has a 
large surplus of nearly every farm commodity 

30 



to ship to other markets. The State reports 
for 1886 show that there was raised in Wa- 
seca County the previous year, 651,566 bush- 
els of wheat on 46,681 aci'es, an average 
of nearly 14 bushels to the acre ; 382,690 
bushels of oats on 11,333 acres, or an average 
of nearly 34 bushels to the acre; 279,727 
bushels of corn on 8,791 acres of ground, 
or about an average of 32 bushels to the 
acre. There were raised the same year, 
24,536 bushels of barley ; 3,030 of rye ; 
55,065 of potatoes ; 80 bushels of beans ; 
4,842 gallons of cane syrup ; 4,608 tons of 
cultivated hay ; 967 bushels of flax-seed ; 
73,684 tons of wild hay; 656 bushels of 
timothy seed and 1,357 bushels of clover 
seed are reported for the same time ; and 
also 55,065 bushels of potatoes. Only 
some 634 pounds of grapes were raised, and 
3,621 bushels of apples. Dairy products 
for the year 1885 aggregated : butter 332,030 
pounds, and 100 pounds of cheese, from 
4,586 cows ; while in 1886, 13,830 pounds of 
wool was shorn from 2,694 sheep, in the 
spring alone, although some 10,000 pounds 
came off the backs of the same animals the 
fall previous. There were in 1886, 1,523 
farms in the county. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 

Several efforts have been made to sustain 
agricultural societies, or those of a kindred 
nature previous to the formation of the pres- 
ent one, with variable success. The first 
effort in this line was in 1870. During the 
summer of that year an organization was 
formed known as the Waseca County Agri- 
cultural Society, with WiUiam Brisbane as 
president, and B. S. Lewis, secretary. 

At a meeting held on the 3d of Septem- 
ber, the same year, it was decided that a 
county fair should be held that fall under 
their auspices, and having determined the 
date, the society appointed E. Bennett, S. B. 
Williams, O. Powell, H. Vincent and P. Mc- 
Dermott as a committee to propose the 
general arrangements for the said fair. On 



520 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



the 6th and 7th of October, 1870, the first 
county fair in Waseca County was held. 
There was a large attendance the second day, 
and considering the short time emplo\'ed in 
getting it up, and the extremely limited no- 
tice the people had to prepare articles for 
exhibition, it was a decided success. The ex- 
hibits were moderately numerous, except in 
the matter of cattle, which was rather slim. 
President Brisbane dehvered an address to 
the people in his usual happ}' vein, the usual 
speeding of horses took place, and the brass 
band, for whom conveyance thi'ough some 
mistake had been neglected, rode into the 
grounds on a one-ox wagon, and joy and 
pleasure beamed on every face. 

The following year a second fair was 
given, but the thing proved a failure and the 
association, growing discouraged, abandoned 
their further efforts in that line. A few of 
the members, however, some years later or- 
ganized farmers' fairs and farmers" societies, 
both with the idea of following the European 
fashion of having a fair or market day once 
a month, but somehow it never proved much 
of a success. Some yeai-s later a sort of agri 
cultural society was formed, but no fairs 
were held. In September, 1886, however, at 
a meeting held then, H. H. Corson being 
president, the name was changed to that of 
the Agricultural, Mechanical and Industrial 
Society of Waseca County. The member- 
ship fee was fixed at one dollar. At this 
time Charles San Galli was treasurer and 
Michael Sheeran secretary. On a motion 
made it was decided that stock of the associa- 
tion, should be issued in five dollar shares 
and a committee appointed to solicit sub- 
scriptions. 

On the 25th of September a meeting was 
held, and it was then decided to hold a county 
fair on the 13th and 14th of October follow- 
ing. Dr. H. J. Young and WiUiam Everett 
were appointed a committee to see to the 
construction of fence, stalls, sheds, etc. ; H. 
H. Corson and John McWade, as committee 
to arrange premium list; Edward Castor 



and I. C. Trowbridge, committee on track ; 
and the following ladies committee on floral 
hall : Mrs. Wilham Everett, Mrs. I. C. Trow- 
bridge, Mrs. E. E. Dun woody, Mrs. D J. Bick- 
ford and Mrs. J. 0. Chandler. John McWade, 
Obediah Powell and Austin Vinton were 
detailed as committee on privileges, and 
Thomas Bohen, Harry Bird and Charles 
McKenna on trotting. The fair was held as 
advertised and was a success, the attendance 
being quite encouraging, and the societ}' in- 
tend to repeat the experiment this year 
(1887) . Edward Bennett was superintendent 
of cattle and horses; Patrick Murray, of 
swine, sheep and poultry, and John S. 
AbeU, of farm machinery. 

ANTI-HOESE THIEF ASSOCIATION. 

The Waseca County Anti-Horse Thief As- 
ciation was organized in February, 1864, 
the meeting for that purpose being held at 
the courthouse, in Wilton, on the 16th of 
the month above named. William Brisbane 
was called to the chair, and E. A. Smith 
made secretary. Settling down to business, 
the chair appointed D. L. Whipple, B. A. 
Lowell and E. B. Stearns, a committee of 
three to draw up and present a constitution 
for the society. Shortly after the said com- 
mittee presented a draft of their labors, 
which was adopted with some slight amend- 
ment. Organization having thus been ef- 
fected they proceeded to an election of 
officers, which resulted as follows : Di\ M. 
S. Gove, president ; William Brisbane, vice- 
])resident ; E. A. Smith, secretary. 

The first members of the association were 
Asa G. Sutlief, William Brisbane, George 
Brubaker, Noah Lincoln, B. A. Lowell, Eri 
G. Wood, J. A. Heath, William Roddle, W. 
H. Young Sr., Joseph Bird, D. L. Whipple, 
Henry Watkins, Myron Blackman, J. K. 
Myers, E. A. Smith and M. S. Gove. 

Dr. Gove was for many years the presi- 
dent of this society, and on his death the 
association passed the following resolutions : 

" In memory of Brother M. S. Gove, presi- 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



521 



dent of the Waseca Anti-Ilorse Thief Asso- 
ciation, who died December 1, 187i. His de- 
voted and unswerving attachment to our 
society during its entire existence has en- 
deared him to its members ; and in his deatii 
his estimable family have lost a loving hus- 



band and father, the community' and State a 
valuable, self-sacrificing, public spirited citi- 
zen, and our society one of its most influen- 
tial and leading members, and one who was 
loved most bv those who knew him best." 




CHAPTER XIV. 



WASECA COUXTY IN THE WAR. 



1 


se-.....^ 



"mmW 




duriner 



HE causes that led to the irrepres- 
sible civil war between the States 
in 1861 to 1865, inclusive, have 
been detailed at length in the 
histoiy of Steele County, in this 
volume, and it were but waste of 
valuable space to repeat it in this 
connection . Our only dut v is to 
fi-lean together the effects it had 
upon Waseca County, the action 
of the people, all loj'al to the core 
g, „„s nation's trial, and enroll the 
names of the defenders of the Union from 
Waseca, that posterity may know the heroes 
of that unholy rebellion against the best gov- 
ernment ever established on the face of the 
earth. 

Looking at Waseca County to-day we can 
scarcely realize the fact that, when the war 
broke upon the people of this country, array- 
ing more than a million of men in arms, and 
which made our ship of State reel and stag- 
ger as if smitten by thunderbolts and dashed 
upon the rocks, that this county had been set- 
tled but about seven 3'ears ; and Minnesota, as 
a State of the American Union, but in its in- 
fancy. But, notwithstanding its own soil had 
not been fully subjugated to man's use, aid 
was promptly offered in subduing the seced- 
ing States. The feeling throughout Minne- 
sota, although not quite as intense as in some 
of the older States, was universal that the 
Union must be preserved, and the sights and 
sounds that were so noticeable in every vil- 
lage and hamlet north of Mason and Dixon's 
line, were duplicated here, and men came for- 
ward to lay down their lives in defense of 
fi-eedom and freedom's flag freely, and pa- 



triotism throbbed in every bosom. As a 
county, Waseca was not called on in an offi- 
cial way to provide funds to encourage en- 
listments, but several of the town boards 
did levy a tax for that purpose, issuing bonds 
and borrowing raoiiey with which to give 
bounties to the volunteers. Meetings were 
held throughout the county, and money was 
i-aised to encourage enlistments and pledges 
made by private citizens to care for the fam- 
ilies of the soldiers in this county. 

With a population in 1860 'of only 2,601, 
Waseca County responded nobly to the call 
of the general government for men, furnish- 
ing fully her share toward the suppression of 
the Rebellion. 

Appended is a list of the gallant heroes 
who participated in the war. If any com- 
rade has been omitted from the list it has 
been done unintentionally, and rather the 
fault of defective muster rolls than that of 
the historian, than whom a more ardent 
admirer of the '' boys in blue " is not to be 
found. 



n 



oster. 



OLD FIRST MINNESOTA INFANTRY. 



Capt. Lewis McKune 
G. R. Buckman, 
Martin Healy, 
Ludwell J. Mosher, 
Neri Reed, 
E. E. Verplanck, 
C. C. Davis, 



Jolin M. Churchill, 
George Kline. 



COMPANY G. 

Sergt. Irvine W. Northup, 
Michael Harrusauer, 
Philo Hall, 
John JIcKinster, 
Walter S. Reed, 
Luman S. Wood, 
Norman B. Barron, 
Adam Areman. 

COMP.iJS'T I. 

Amos Canfield, 
O. H. Sutlief, 
Jens. T. Dahl. 



5S3 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



523 



FIRST MINNESOTA INFANTRY. 




COMPANY E. 


H. P. Chamberlain, Nathaniel Reed, 




Jonathan Hardy. 

COMPANY G. 


THIRD MINNESOTA INFANTRY. 




A. Davis. 


COMPANY n. 






Hugh Donaldson, S. M. Jones, 


TENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY. 


George W. Peasley, C. A. Peasley. 




COMPANY P. 


C. W. Preston, James Broderick, 


Capt. George T. White, Lieut. Isaac Hamlin, 


W. H. H. Jackson, David Lilly, 


H. A. Mosher, 


C. W. Roberts, 


Hugh B. Withrow. 


David McDaniels, 


M. A. Francis, 


COMPANY I. 


John A. Wheeler, 


S. A. Goodwin, 


S. F. Wyman, H. B. Withrow. 


J. R. Whitman, 


Richard Ayers, 




Robert Beith, 


William Blivens, 


FOURTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY 


George E. Brubakei 


Edward Brossard, 


Lieut. W. F. Kittredge, adjutant; afterward captain 


Nels Bergosen, 


Samuel Gleason, 


and A. A. G. and major. 


Charles Grover, 


S. M. Grover, 


COMPANY D. 


James Glendening, 


A. D. Gregor, 


Captain S. T. Isaac. 


J. A. Canfield, 


Chas. Chadwick, 




George Dreever, 


Thomas Eldredge, 


COMPANY C. 

John Teas. 


Fred . Emery, 


James Gallagher, 


Knute Hanson, 


Christian Hatsaul, 


CO.MPANY H. 


G. W. Ives, 


H. A.Jones, 


Myron S. Sheldon, Charles Parvin, 


August Krieger, 


John King, 


Ebenezer M. Broughton. 


L. A. Lafayette, 


G. W. Lee. 


COMPANY I. 


M. M. Morgan, 


Jacob Newkirk, 


Capt. D. L. Wellman, Loren C. Wood, 


Charles Olebaugh, 


Hans Oleson, 


Augustus Pintler, Waldo Lyon, 


John Pickitt, 


Samuel Preston, 


S. T. Isaac, Samuel Alexander, 


J. S. Rice, 


M. V. B. Storer, 


Aaron Bragg, Orin Coates, 


Benjamin Swan, 


S. P. Satterly, 


James S. Camp, James L Conner, 


Martin Spankley, 


W. W. Taylor, 


Erastus Fish, N. T. Foster, 


Barney Vosburg, 


P. J. D.Wood, 


James Haines, Silas Hubbell, 


G. H. Woodbury, 


Ole Johnson, 


Jonathan Isaac, T. B. .lackson, 


William Brisbane, 


Henry Yarigan, ' 


S. A. Norris, Moses Norris, 


Hans Hanson, 


A. H. Coddington, 


J. N. Powers, Corwin W. Quiggle, 


Isaac Lyng, 


Robt. Quiggle, 


D. P. Stowell, Jonas Whitcomb. 


J. B. Hill, 


Francis Lincoln. 

COjrPANY D. 


FIFTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY. 


G. W. Ives, 


John King, 



Capt. E. A. Rice, 
Melmoth P. Ide, 
Alex. Wentworth, 
William Blaisdell, 
G. F. Rice, 
John Barden, 
Moses Camp, 
Edward Guise, 
William Harding, 
John Jenkins, 
S. M. Merrill, 
E. H. Stiles, 
B. F. Weed, 
P. Davis, 

Peter Oleson 



COMPANY p. 

Lieut. G. W. Johnson, 
G. R. Loveland, 
J. W. Pierce, 
G. H. Bishop, 
E. M. Atwood, 
Patrick Burns, 
S. W. Franklin, 
W. H. Gray, 
E. R. Horton, 
Harvey Lawrence, 
John Murphy, 
David Skinner, 
H. H. Wallace, 
William Douglas. 

COMPANY c. 

Christopher Sampson. 

CO.MPANY D. 

James E. Crook. 



Nathan Satterly, 
Frederick Emery, 



S. P. Satterly. 
Martin Spankley. 



FIRST MINNESOTA HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

COMPANY A. 

Granville Barnes, Josephus Blevins, 

George F. Long. 



Charles Christman, 
A.M. Roberts, 



COMPANY c. 

H. A. Christman. 
Fred. Rosenau. 



COMP.ANY G. 

William A. Flowers. 

COMPANY D. 

Joseph Davidson. 

COMPANY E. 

James Hand. 



524 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



FIRST MINNESOTA MOUNTED RANGERS. 


SECOND MINNESOTA CAVALRY. 




COMPANY B. 


Major E. A. Rice. 


Lieut. T. F. West, 


J. H. Elliston, 


COMPANY A. 


S. P. Child, 


W.M. Fay, 


E. A. Erwin. 


John Cunningliam 


L. W. Krassin, 


COMPANY C. 


Gullecli Knuteson, 


.John Murphy, 


C. G. Scott. 


Egle Oleson, 


Jordan Smith. 


SECOND MINNESOTA BATTERY, LIGHT 




COMPANY H. 


ARTILLERY. 


L. F. Preston, 


A.J. Williams, 


James W. Clark. Austin Peck, 




Jonas Whitcomb. 


John O'Brien. 


BRACKETT'S CAVALRY BATTALION. 


THIRD MINNESOTA BATTERY, LIGHT 




COMPANY B. 


ARTILLERY. 


J. R. West, 


Fred. Prechel. 


Joshua Downing, I. W. Johnson. 




CHAPTER XV. 




THE INDIAN MASSACRE. 




HE following account of some 
thrilling personal experiences 
during the Indian massacre of 
1862, portraj'ing in graphic lan- 
guage the suffering and trials of 
the early settlers on the frontier, 
is from the pen of the senior editor 
of the Waseca Herald. Many of 
the scenes and incidents were 
detailed to him b}^ William 
Everett, now a citizen of Waseca, 
a participant in, and eye-witness 
to them. 

It seems that in the fall of 1860 
WiUiam Everett, his family, and 
a man by the name of Wright, made a set- 
tlement at the south end of Lake Shetek, 
where there were at that time but three or 
four other settlers. The families of Wright 
and Everett each consisted of a wife and two 
children. In the spring of 1861 Charles 
Hatch, a brother of Mrs. Everett, a single 
man, came to the lake and made a settle- 
ment there. 

In May, 1862, Messrs. Hurd and Jones, 
two of the settlers, concluded to visit the 
Big Sioux River and look over that section 
of country. Hurd told his wife that if they 
did not return by a certain time in June, she 
might know that something unusual had 
happened them. The time came, but Hurd 
and Jones came not. There was' considera- 
ble anxiety on their account in the settle- 
ment, and Everett, Wright, Duly, Smith and 
Eastlick took two horse teams and started 
to look for them. These parties drove as far 
as Split Rock Creek, and camped for the 
night. The next morning it was decided to 



leave Duly with the teams in the camp, 
while Everett and Wright should follow 
down the creek, and Smith and Eastlick 
should go in the opposite direction and 
search for the missing men, both parties 
agreeing to return to camp that night. 
Everett and Wright soon discovered a 
buffalo, shot and wounded him. They for- 
got all else in their desire to kill the buffalo, 
and chased him until late in the afternoon. 
They then began to think of returning, but 
having given no heed to the direction they 
had traveled, and night coming on, they 
soon discovered that they were lost. They 
camped in a slough, covering themselves 
with grass cut with their knives, the better 
to protect themselves from the swarms of 
mosquitoes and the chilly night air. They 
hoped to get their direction by the sun next 
morning, but when morning came there was 
a heavy fog, and thick clouds shut out the 
sun, so they were compelled to guess as to 
the proper course to travel. As usual under 
such circumstances, they traveled in the 
wrong direction. Not having anything to 
eat they felt weary, but were encouraged by 
coming onto the trail leading from Sioux 
Falls to Shetek. Again they took the wrong 
direction and traveled until they came in 
sight of the timber along the Sioux River. 
Then realizing that they were going wrong, 
they turned about and retraced their steps, 
reaching the Split Rock camp near night, to 
find it deserted. They found a piece of paper 
pinned to a post, on which was written : 
" We suppose Everett and Wright have been 
killed by Indians — we have gone home. " 
As they had had nothing to eat since the 



5S5 



526 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



day before, and were very much exhausted 
with traveling on foot, the outlook was dis- 
couraging. Just at night, however, they 
had the good fortune to shoot a duck, which 
they ate raw. They camped on the ground, 
in the shelter of some large rocks, for the 
night. They were awakened just before 
midnight by the sound of voices — at first 
supjiosing that Indians were coming upon 
them. They were gladly disappointed, how- 
ever, to find the voices proceeded from a 
squad of soldiers and the mail carrier. The 
soldiers had with them plenty of provisions, 
and, after a bountiful supper, all camped 
there during the remainder of the night. 
The next day they arrived at Lake Shetek, 
just as the settlers were getting read}'' to send 
men to the agency for soldiers to look them 
up. 

Hurd and Jones were never heard of after- 
ward, but at the time of the massacre, Mrs. 
Hurd saw one of Ilurd's horses, as she 
believed, ridden by one of the Indian savages. 

From that time to the time of the outbreak 
nothing occurred at the settlement to arouse 
any suspicion of danger. That settlement 
was so isolated from others that thev seldom 
heard from the larger towns. Everything 
was quiet and peaceful, and no one had a 
suspicion of the horrible scenes of bloodshed 
that were soon to follow. 

About the 17th of August, 1862, "Pawn" 
and five or six other Indians, with squaws 
and children, came to the lake and camped, 
not far from Everett's place. Nothing was 
thought of this, as roving bands often came 
that way, and especially as these were the 
Indians whom the settlers had feil the winter 
before, and were supposed to be friendly. 

Notwithstanding the fact that here and 
there a slight suspicion existed that the 
Indians were preparing for war, yet, as a 
rule, few, if any, believed that there was any 
I'eal danger. 

But on the 20th of August, 1862, the 
murderous assault commenced all along the 
line. Men, women and children, regardless 



of age or condition, were murdered, mangled 
and outraged in the most cold-blooded and 
barbarous manner. 

The people of the little settlement at Lake 
Shetek were industriously pursuing their 
avocations on that fatal da}', and were en- 
tirely unprepared for the murderous attack 
which commenced near the head of the lake 
at daybreak. 

The first outrage was at the -farm of 
Mj'ers, near the head of the lake. On ac- 
count of Mrs. Myei's' sickness, Myers arose 
at an early hour. As he went out of the 
house he discovered the Indians, who had 
torn down his fence and were riding through 
his corn, breaking it down and destroying it. 
He called to them saying he would whip 
them if they did not leave, and asked them 
if he had not always treated them well. They 
admitted that he had and finally rode away. 
They ]iroceeded at once to the farm of Mrs. 
Hurd, whose husband, with Jones, disaj)- 
peared in the spring. A German, named 
Voight, was working on the farm. When the 
Indians arrived Mrs. Hurd was milking cows, 
and on seeing them hastened into the house. 
The Indians followed her, and with pretended 
friendship asked for some tobacco. Voight 
gave them some, and they commenced to 
smoke. Mrs. Hurd's babe awoke and began 
to cry, when Voight took it up and walked 
out into the yard. Just as he was turning 
to go into the house again, one of the Indians 
stepped to the door, raised his gun and shot 
him through the breast, killing him almost 
instantly. They then plundered the house 
of all its contents, and told Mrs. Hurd that 
if she made any noise they would kill her 
also, but if she remained quiet they would 
permit her "to return to her mother." They 
destroyed nearly everything about the house 
and then ordered her to leave, telling her 
which way to go, and informing her that if 
she should attempt to go to one of the neigh- 
bors or make an outcry to wai-n them they 
would kill her. Mrs. Hurd was compelled 
to leave by an unfrequented path with her 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



527 



two children, the elder about three years old 
and the younger less than a year old. 

We must now return to the lower or south 
end of the settlement. Early that morning 
Everett's brother-in-law, Charles Hatch, 
started on horseback to go to Kurd's place 
to get a yoke of oxen to put into a breaking 
team. It was about six miles between the 
two places. "When Hatch reached Cook's 
place he hitched his horse and went across a 
marsh, imjiassable for a horse, to save the 
time and trouble of going around the marsh 
or slough. When he reached Hurd's house, 
a horrid sight presented itself. Voight lay 
stark dead upon the ground, covered with 
blood ; everything about the house was 
broken and destroyed, and Mrs. Hurd was 
nowhere to be seen. The tracks at once dis- 
closed the fact that Indians had been there. 
Looking to the east, he saw the Indians mak- 
ing around the marsh. He started at once 
to retrace his steps and warn the settlers ; 
but the Indians arrived at Cook's place ahead 
of him. They found Mrs. Cook in the corn- 
field with her husband's gun, keeping birds 
from the corn, and Cook at the house. They 
divided, part going to the cornfield and part 
to the house. Those who went to the corn- 
field asked to see her gun. Not suspecting 
murdei', she let them take it. As soon as 
they got possession of the gun, they told her 
she might "go to her mother," for they were 
going to kill all the white men in the country. 
Those that went to the house asked for a 
drink of water. As there w\as none in the 
house, Cook took the pail to go totlie spring. 
He had proceeded but a few steps when one 
of those cowardly villains, without the least 
warning, shot him in the back, killing him 
at once. Hatch was in sight of the house 
when Cook was shot, and saw liis horse break 
loose and run off. Hatch managed to get 
past the place unperceived, while the Indians 
were plundering Cook's place, and went from 
house to house as fast as he could travel 
warning the settlers. When he reached 
Easthck's house he was nearly exhausted. 



Mrs. Eastlick, in her account of the massacre, 
says : " My husband and Rhodes had just 
sat down to breakfast, when my eldest boy, 
Merton, came to the door saying, ' Charley 
Hatch is coming, as fast as he can run.' 
Hatch was a young man living with his 
brother-in-law, Everett, and thinking that 
perhaps some one was sick or hurt, I went to 
the door. As soon as he came near enough 
to me I saw that he was very pale and out of 
breath. 'Charley, what is tlie matter?' I 
asked. He shouted — ' The Indians are upon 
us.' ' It cannot be possible,' said I. ' It is 
so, ' said Charley, ' they have already shot 
Voight.' He then related the other facts he 
had witnessed, and asked for a horse that he 
might ride quickly to the lower end of the 
lake to warn the rest of the settlers. Rhodes 
let him have one of his horses. He asked us 
for a bridle several times, but we were all 
so horror-stricken and mute with fear and 
apprehension that we stood for some time 
like dumb persons. At last I seemed to 
awake as from a horrible dream and began 
to realiz,e the necessity of immediate and 
rapid flight. I sprang into the house and 
got the bridle for liiin, urging him to hurry 
away with all speed. He started oflf and bade 
us follow as fast as we could to Smith's 
house. 

Returning to Mrs. Cook, we learned that she 
remained concealed about the jiremises until 
the Indians, tired of plundering the house, 
departed. She then went to the house to 
find her husband murdered, and all her 
household goods destroyed. Notwithstand- 
ing her bereavement and the dangers sur- 
rounding her, she bravely resolved to warn 
the other settlers of what had transpired. 
After traveling on foot through brush and 
timljer, and wading in water along the shore 
of the lake, she reached the lower settle- 
ment the same day a little in advance of 
the murderous savages. Hatch had lost no 
time in notifying every settler of what had 
transpired. Every house was soon deserted, 
leaving cattle, horses, household gootls, every- 



528 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



thing to be plundered by the merciless sav- 
ages, and the settlers all assembled at the 
house of Wright — being thirty-four in num- 
ber, "men, women and children. 

"Old Pawn" and his band who had 
camped there the Monday before, were at 
Wright's place and pretended great friend- 
ship for the whites. They even went so far 
as to help bring in Mesdames Ireland and 
Duly, with their children, who had been left 
behind in the flight. The men at once pre- 
pared Wright's house as well as they could, 
for defensive operations. They opened 
crevices here and there between the logs, as 
port-holes for their guns; and not having 
entire confidence in "Pawn" and his 
Indians, told them that they could take 
their stand in the stable. The women were 
armed with axes, hatchets and butcher- 
knives, and sent up-stairs with the children. 
These hasty preparations were not fully 
completed when the murderous savages, 
whooping and yelling like pandemonium, 
made their appearance at Smith's house, 
in full view of Wright's place where the set- 
tlers were assembled. 

One would suppose that the whites would 
have remained at the house and defended 
themselves to the last ; but when it is known 
that the only supply of water was some dis- 
tance from the house ; that they had no ])ro- 
visions for more than a day or two, and that 
they were surrounded by some two hundred 
Indians, we can easily understand that any 
chance of escape, however slim or dangerous, 
would be eagerly accepted. 

The murderous Indians had assembled at 
Smith's house and plundered it. From there 
they sallied forth in squads, mounted on 
ponies, firing guns and yelling like demons. 
Occasionally they would shoot a cow or an 
ox, and then ride back to Smith's house. 
After spending some time in this way, the}' 
advanced toward Wright's house. Everett 
noticed about this time one of Pawn's band 
skulking around to the Indians who were 
advancing. Pie held a short consultation 



and sneaked back again. Old Pawn, who 
pretended to be friendl}', said he would go 
and see them and find out what they 
wanted. He started out to meet them, and 
had only proceeded a short distance when 
several of the war party came riding toward 
him on a gallop. He soon halted. As soon as 
they noticed this, they also stopped and called 
to him. He then went to them and talked 
for some time, after which he came running 
back as though excited, and said there were 
200 warriors coming, and if the whites would 
quietly go away the "braves" would not 
harm them ; but if not they would burn the 
house and kill them all. 

By this time, Everett and many of the 
others were satisfied that Pawn and his band, 
notwithstanding their pretended friendship, 
were in a conspiracy to murder the settlers. 

The men held a hurried consultation, and 
the majority decided to leave the building 
and take their chances. Khodes and Hatch 
were sent to Everett's place, half a mile 
away, to get a wagon for the conveyance of 
the women and children, and to get some 
flour, quilts, etc. Without waiting for the 
return of the team, the whole company 
started across the prairie on foot. Rhodes 
and Hatch overtook them with the Avagon 
by the time they had proceeded half a mile, 
and the women and children, except Mes- 
dames Wright and Eastlick, got into the 
wagon. Mrs. Wright bravely shouldered 
her husband's rifle, he being absent from the 
settlement, below Mankato, at the time of 
the outbreak. They had proceeded a little 
over a mile when they discovered the In- 
dians following them as fast as they could 
come, yelling like so many fiends. Old Pawn 
and his band, who had pretended to be 
friendly, had joined the others in the work 
of murder and plunder. All was terror and 
consternation among the settlers, and they 
attempted to urge the horses to a run, but 
the poor creatures were so loaded down that 
they could not go faster than a walk. On 
came the savages riding at full speed. All 



HI8T0EY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



529 



got out of the wagon that could run, and 
hurried on as fast as possible, but all to no 
purpose — the savages were soon upon them. 
The men marched at the head of the team, 
with their guns, in order to protect the 
women and children who were in advance. 
The men thought at first that perhaps all 
they wanted was the team, and for that 
reason sent the women and children ahead. 
As the Indians approached almost to within 
gunshot, they spread out in a long, single 
line, and came on yelling like demons. 
"When at long range they fired a volle}^ but 
no one was hurt. Two of the men, Rhodes 
and Smith, deserted the company, and ran 
for dear life, leaving the balance to their 
fate. They escaped without a scratch. One 
went to Dutch Charley's and warned his 
family, and the other went to the Walnut 
Grove settlement. 

As soon as the Indians fired the first round 
they rushed for the team, and one of them 
seized the horses by the bits and turned 
them around. At this juncture, some of the 
white men fired upon the Indians, and the 
one having hold of the team fell dead. 

It was now evident that there was to be 
a deadly conflict. The men directed the 
women and children to a slough nearby, and 
told them to conceal themselves as well as 
they could in the tall grass, the men cover- 
ing their retreat. All started amid a shower 
of shot from the Indian guns. 

Mrs. Eastlick received a ball in one heel ; 
Ireland's youngest child was shot through 
one leg ; Emma Duly received a wound in 
the arm, and "Willie Duly received a shot in 
the shoulder. They soon reached the slough, 
and although concealed from view, it 
afi'orded little protection. There were about 
two hundred Indians and only six white 
men left. For two hours the cowardly sav- 
ages, keeping out of sight as much as pos- 
sible, poured volley after volley into the 
slough. They would skulk behind the hills, 
crawl to the top, rise and fire, then drop out 



of sight. 



It was dangerous for one of the 



white men to fire his gun, for immediately 
there would be a volley fired into the grass 
where he was. One after another of the 
whites were wounded or killed. Eastlick, 
after doing brave work, was killed. Mrs. 
Eastlick received a scalp wound and another 
in the side. Mrs. Everett received a shot in 
her neck. Everett received a bullet in the 
thigh which struck the bone, followed around 
and lodged under the knee. Charles Hatch 
was wounded in the hand and arm, and 
Bentley in the arm. There was little chance 
for further resistance by the settlers. The 
firing ceased. Three of the skulking Indians, 
one of them old Pawn, then came forward 
and called upon the women to come out of 
the slough. Everett answered them. Pawn 
who knew the voice, commanded him to 
come, out of the slough. Everett told him 
he could not for he was wounded. Pawn 
said : " You lie ; you can walk if you want 
to." 

Two of the Indians then fired into the 
grass where Everett was, one of the bullets 
striking his arm near the elbow and shattering 
the bone and a buckshot entering his foot. 
Mrs. Everett, forgetting all fear, bravely 
arose and in the most piteous manner told 
them her husband was dead, and they had 
killed him. 

Pawn then told her that he would not hurt 
the rest of them, but that they must come 
out of the slough, for he wanted her and 
Mrs. "Wright for his squaws. Mrs. "Wright 
could speak the Sioux language, to some ex- 
tent, and under the advice of Everett, who 
was now helpless, the two women concluded 
to go out and confer with the Indians. 
"While this hurried conference was going on 
between Mrs. "Wright and Everett, Uncle 
Tommy Ireland, a short distance from them, 
arose out of the grass and begged of the 
Indians to spare the women and children. 
Two of the murderous Indians, onh'^ a few 
rods distant, fired upon liim, and he fell to 
the ground with a groan, saying : " Oh God ! 
I am killed ! " He received seven buckshot, 



530 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



two of which passed through his left lung, 
one through his left arm, and others lodged 
in various parts of his body. 

Mesdames Wright and Everett, having 
been advised by Everett that perhaps by 
going out to the Indians they might be able 
afterward to make their escape, and that 
refusal would be certain death to all, ven- 
tured to go to the Indians. After a short 
talk with the villain, Pawn, they returned 
and reported that he said he would s]«ire all 
the women and children if they would come 
out of the slough. After a short consultation 
the women concluded to go forth with all the 
children. 

Ah, the sad parting ! Mrs. Eastlick's hus- 
band was dead. Mrs. Ireland bent over the 
prostrate form of her husband, whom she 
would never see again, to receive, as she 
supposed, his dying words, and husbands 
and fathers felt deep anguish as wives and 
children went forth to death or to a time of 
suffering worse than death. 

Many of the prisoners as they came forth 
were wounded. Mrs. Smith, whose husband 
fled at the first fire, was wounded in the hip. 
Next to the youngest of Mrs. Ireland's chil- 
di-en was shot through the bowels and died 
in a short time. 

Shortly after the surrender, the fiendish 
brutality and devilish cruelty of the Sioux 
were fully demonstrated. A little boy, five 
years old, son of Mrs. Eastlick, while follow- 
ing his mother, who was being led away by 
an Indian, was attacked by a squaw, beaten 
over the head with a club, and finally ri])ped 
open with a knife. Another of her children, 
Frank, was shot and murdered before her 
eyes. Mrs. Duly's boy, "Willie, was shot in 
her presence, and left in a suffering, dying 
condition on the prairie. Mrs. Ireland and 
Mrs. Smith were murdered in cold blood, 
and left near each other ; and near by was 
the corpse of Mrs. Eastlick's third child, 
Giles. 

Shortly after the Indians left the slough 
with their prisoners, one of the redskins shot 



Mrs. Everett's little boy, which so excited 
her that she broke loose from her captor, 
and was running back to her boy, when she 
was shot through the body and mortally 
wounded, dying during the night. 

Mrs. Eastlick in her account says : " The 
Indians sent Mrs. Wright back to the slough 
to gather up and bring out the guns. I 
found that I was quite lame and could hardly 
walk. . . The sky soon became overcast 
with heavy clouds, and a furious rain-storm, 
accompanied with thunder and lightning, 
was coming on. Soon the rain descended in 
torrents. The Indians caught their ponies, 
and made all preparations for starting away. 
We expected to be all taken along as pris- 
oners, but we were disappointed ; for, as it 
afterward proved, some were taken, while 
others were put to death, or left in a dying 
condition. Those of us who afterward 
escaped, were, for a long time, in such a 
plight that death seemed inevitably to stare 
us in the face." 

After giving an account of the death of 
three of her children, she continues : " Old 
Pawn came along with Mrs. Wright and her 
children. He brought along a horse which 
belonged to Charley Hatch, and ordered her 
to put her children on it, which she did. He 
then gave her the halter strap and sent her 
along, telling me to go along with her. . . 
I asked him what he intended to do with 
me, and if he meant to kill me? He replied 
in the negative, then stopped, leaned on 
his gun, and told- me to hurry on. . . I 
limped along at a rapid pace, but looking 
back I saw old Pawn standing where I had 
left him, loading his gun, and I instantly 
feared that, in spite of all his protestations, 
he was going to shoot me. I had a small 
slough to cross, and when about half way 
through it, some one, probably Pawn, shot 
me again, making four bullets which I had 
i-eceived that day, in all. The ball struck 
me in the small of the back, entering at the 
left side of the spine, and coming out at the 
right side, just above my hip — also passing 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtrNTY. 



531 



through my right arm, between the elbow 
and wrist, I fell to the ground upon my 
face, and lay there for some minutes, . . 
expecting the Indians would ride over me, 
as I had fallen in the trail. Finding that I 
could move I crawled about a rod from the 
trail, and laid down again on my face. In a 
few moments more I heard the step of an 
Indian, and held my breath, thinking he 
might pass me, supposing me dead. But I 
was sadly mistaken. He came close beside 
me, stood a moment, then commenced beat- 
ing me on the head with the butt of a gun. 
He struck me many times so hard that my 
head bounded up from the sod, and then 
gave me three severe blows across the riglit 
shoulder. I did not lose all presence of 
mind, although the blows fell heavy and fast. 
. . I was so nearljf smothered with my 
face beaten into the grass, tliat I caught my 
breath several times. He probably supposed 
me to be d3'ing, and threw down his gun. 
I thought he was preparing to scalp me. I 
expected every moment to feel his hand in 
my hair and the keen edge of the scalping- 
knife cutting around my head. But for 
once I was happily disappointed, for he went 
away, thinking no doubt I was dead. 

" I laid here some two or three hours, not 
daring to stir. . . The rain had continued 
to fall all of this time ; my clothes were wet 
through, and I was very cold and chilly. 
About 4 o'clock p. m., on trying to get up, 
I found that I was very weak, and that it 
required a great deal of painful effort to 
raise myself to a sitting posture. . . I 
then found that the blood had i-un down 
from my head and coagulated among my 
fingers ; hence I knew my head had bled 
quite freely, or the rain would have washed 
it away. . . I was insensible to pain, but 
by turning my head back and forth, I could 
plainly hear and feel the bones grate to- 
gether. 1 thought my skull must be broken, 
and this afterward proved to be true. My 
hair was very thick and long, and this, I 
think, saved my life by breaking somewhat 



the force of the blows. Here I sat, wet and 
cold, not daring to move from the spot. I 
had heard the cry of a child at intervals 
during the afternoon, and thought it Johnny 
(her son). I thought Merton (an elder son) 
must have taken him to the wounded men 
(in the slough) to stay with them. So I 
detei'mined to try and go to them, thinking 
we could, perhaps, keep warm better, for the 
rain was still falling fast, and the night was 
setting in cold and stormy I rose up on 
my feet and found that I could walk, but 
with great difficulty. I soon heard Willie 
Dulj^ whom I supposed dead long before 
this, cry out, ' Mother, mother ? ' but a few 
steps from me. . . Having to pass close 
by him as I left the slough, I stoi^ped and 
thought I would speak to him, but on re- 
flecting that I could not possibly help the 
poor boy, I passed him without speaking. He 
never moved again from the spot where I 
last saw him ; for when the soldiers went 
there to bury the dead, they found him in 
the same position, lying on his face, at the 
edge of the slough. I was guided to the 
place where my children and neighbors were 
murdered during the day, by the crying of a 
child, which I supposed to be Johnny ; but 
on reaching the spot where it lay, it proved 
to be Mrs. Everett's youngest child. Her 
eldest child, Lilly, aged six years, was lean- 
ing over him, to shield him from the cold 
storm. I called her by name. She knew 
my voice instantly, and said : ' Mrs. East- 
lick, the Indians liaven't killed us yet.' ' No, 
Lilly,' I said, ' not quite, but there are very 
few of us left.' Said she, ' Mrs. Eastlick, 
I wish you would take care of Charley.' I 
told her it was impossible, for my Johnny 
was somewhere on the prairie, and I feared 
he would die unless I could find him and 
keep him warm. She then begged me to 
give her a drink of water, but it was out of 
my power to give her even that, or to assist 
her in any way, and I told her so. She 
raised her eyes, and with a sad, thoughtful, 
hopeless look, asked, ' Is there any water in 



532 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



heaven 'i ' • Lilly,' I replied, 'when you get to 
heaven you will never more suffer from 
thirst or pain.' On hearing this, the poor, 
little patient sufferer, only six years old, laid 
hei-self down again by her baby brother and 
seemed reconciled to her fate." 

Mrs. Eastlick then continued her search 
for her missing children far into the night, 
and then detennined to go to the settlements 
to procure the help she stood so much in 
need of. 

Mrs. Eastlick goes on to say : " I knew 
the road to be about two miles due east of 
this place. This night I kept the right direc- 
tion b}' the north star, but did not travel far, 
for I could go but a short distance before 
I was obliged to lie down and rest. Just at 
daybreak I reached the road, having made 
the distance of two miles in the whole night! 
This, I thought, was slow traveling, but I 
was quite encouraged now that I had found 
the road and was sure of going right. I 
lay down and slept until after sunrise; then, 
after eating some green corn, I started 
again. Often did fatigue force me to sit 
down and rest, and each time after resting 
I could scarceh^ put my foot to the ground. 
My heel, which had been shot through, was 
badly swelled and very sore, but I still 
pressed onward till I reached Buffalo Lake, 
at about 11 o'clock a. m. Here I found 
that I must cross the outlet of the lake on a 
pole, and when I trusted my weight upon 
it, over the middle of the stream, it broke 
and I fell into the water. After laborious 
and repeated efforts I got out and passed on, 
but I was soon obliged to stop and repair 
damages. I took off and wrung out some 
of my clothing and spread them in the sun 
to dry. I also laid the meat in the sun to 
dry, for it had become so slippery that I 
could not eat it. After this I lay down 
among the bushes that grew around the 
lake, and slept very soundly. I arose at 
length, put on my skirt, coat and apron, 
dressed my feet again, ate some corn and 
forced down some meat. Just as I finished 



mv lonely meal, a flock of ducks flew off the 
lake and soon a crane followed them. This 
was proof that something had disturbed 
them, and fearing that Indians were upon 
my track and close at hand I hid behind a 
tree and watched the road in the direction 
I had just come. 

" Presently the head of a horse was seen 
to rise over the hill near by. Indians, with- 
out doubt, thought I. and shrank down 
among the bushes, and watched to see a dozen 
or more savages file along before me ! 

" But oh ! what a change from fear to joy ! 
It proved to be the mail-carrier from Sioux 
Falls to New Ulm. I crept out of the brush 
and addressed him. He stopped his horse, 
and, staring at me in the utmost astonish- 
ment, asked, in the Indian tongue, if I was a 
squaw. I answered yes, not undei-standing 
him, and told him the Indians had killed all 
the white people at the lake. ' Why,' said 
he, ' you look too white to be a squaw." 

'' I am no squaw,' I replied, ' I am Mrs. 
Eastlick ; you have seen me several times at 
Mrs. Everett's house ; I am very badly 
wounded.' He then inquired as to the ex- 
tent of my wounds, and I showed him my 
wounded arm and the place where mv head 
was broken. He then helped me on to his 
sulky, and walked along leading the horse. 

" At about -i p. m. we came in sight of 
Dutch Charley's, when he drove the horse 
into a ravine away from the road, helped me 
to the ground, telling me to conceal myself 
in the grass, and he would go to the house 
and see if there had been anj' Indians about. 
He returned presentl}^ saying there had been 
none there : that the family had deserted 
the premises, but that there was an old man 
there who came from Lake Shetek. He 
helped me to mount the sulky again, and 
we were soon before the door. As soon as I 
had got to the ground, the man made his ap- 
pearance at the door, and, wonderful to tell, 
it was poor ' Uncle Tommy Ireland.' I hard- 
ly knew him, for he looked more like a corpse 
than a living being. His face was deathly 



HISTORT OF WASECA COUNTY. 



533 



pale, his eyes deeply sunk, and his voice re- 
duced to a whisper. I hurried to greet him, 
rejoiced to find, still living, my old friend 
and neighbor who had witnessed the same 
heart-rending sights with myself. He clasped 
his arm around me and we both wept like 
children at the sight of each other. 

" He told me that Merton had left the 
scene of the massacre on the same day, carry- 
ing little Johnny, and he thought, perhaps, 
they had reached the house before Dutch 
Charley's family had left and so gone along 
with them. I was filled with hope and joy 
to think that, perhaps, two of my children 
were spared." 

Mr. Ireland, after following Mrs. Eastlick's 
boj^s half a mile from the scene of the first 
massacre, laid down entirely exhausted, ex- 
pecting to die. He laid stretched upon the 
ground through all that rainy, stormy night, 
unable to turn over. All the next day and 
the next night he remained there without 
food or drink. The following morning, Fri- 
day, feeling a little better he made his way 
to Dutch Charley's, where the mail-carrier 
and Mrs. Eastlick found him on Saturday. 
So far he had been unable to get any food 
or drink. The mail-carrier furnished some 
water, and finally found a cheese which he 
fed to the wounded man and woman. 

After feeding the horse and resting a short 
time, the mail-carrier took Mrs. Eastlick on 
the sulk}', put some turnips and cheese aboard, 
and started east again, Mr. Ireland accom- 
panying them. At first, the wounded man 
made slow progress, but after awhile was able 
to walk as fast as the horse. After follow- 
ing the road about eight miles, they went 
about half a mile from it and camped for 
the night, eating turnips and cheese for sup- 
per. The mail-carrier had a quilt and an oil 
cloth blanket, and, notwithstanding a heavy 
rainstorm during the night, the parties did 
not suffer severely. 

At early dawn, Sunday morning, the par- 
ties again took the road and traveled east- 
ward. About noon they espied some persons 



a long distance ahead of them, and suspect- 
ing they were Indians, the mail-carrier went 
cautiously ahead to reconnoiter, his two com- 
panions slowly following After a while he 
discovered that the objects they had seen 
were a woman and two children, and, upon 
overtaking them, found them to be Mrs. 
Hurd and her two children. 

Mrs. Ilurd and children, and Merton and 
Johnny Eastlick had left Dutch Charley's 
place on Friday morning. Merton and John- 
ny were only a short distance ahead of Mrs. 
Hurd, and the mail-carrier and Mrs. Easthck, 
as may be well imagined, lost no time in 
overtaking them. Merton had then carried 
his little brother about fifty miles, with very 
little food or sleep. He looked like a skele- 
ton, while the babe was so sick that he did 
not know his mother. His face was a com- 
plete scab where the mosquites and flies had 
bitten him. 

The little company soon arrived at a Mr. 
Brown's place, found it deserted, and the 
door of the house fastened. The mail carrier 
crawled through a window into the house, 
where he found some bread on the table, 
brought it out and distributed it among the 
weary, hungry refugees. After feeding his 
horse, he started for New Ulm alone, advis- 
ing the parties to remain about the premises, 
and telling them he would send a team and 
men to bring them to New Ulm. 

The parties being afraid to stay about the 
house, went to the bank of the Cottonwood, 
some eighty rods from the house, and secreted 
themselves in a thicket till night. About 
sunset they returned to the house and crawled 
in through the window. Here they found 
bedding and clothing, some forty pounds 
of pork and a crock of lard. Mrs. Hurd 
gathered some potatoes and onions from the 
garden and cooked a meal, which was the 
first warm meal they had eaten since the 
Tuesday before. Here they remained in 
constant fear of Indians until Wednesday 
night, when the mail-carrier returned with 
sad news of the situation. 



534 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



He reported tliat all the settlers on the 
Cottonwood River were driven away by the 
Indians or killed ; that he had gone in sight 
of 'New ITlm, on foot, leaving his horse 
hidden some miles behind ; that he could see 
the I'uins of many burnt houses there, and 
people of some kind walking about the 
streets, but could not determine whether 
they were Indians or whites ; that, as he was 
traveling along on foot, he suddenly came 
upon six Indians, two of whom fired upon 
and pursued him ; that he fled and concealed 
himself in a slough till his pursuers were 
tired of hunting for him and gave up the 
search. 

All felt that there was no safety in the 
house, and they again repaired to the thicket 
— taking with them bedding and clothing. 
The kind mail-carrier then shook hands with 
them all, bidding them good-by, saying that 
he would return to Sioux Falls and send 
soldiers to their rescue. When he reached 
Sioux Falls he found that the settlers had 
all been killed, and also all the soldiers but 
two, who managed to escape. After many 
hardships and dangers, he reached Fort 
Clark in safety. 

Mr. Ireland, the women and children, after 
great sufl'ering for two days and nights, from 
mosquitoes and flies, returned to the house, 
preferring the risk of discovery by Indians 
to their sufl'erings in the thicket 

We now return to the camp at Little 
Creek, where we left Mr. Everett and his 
companions. The next morning, they started 
as early as ])ossible. Mrs. Meyers was no 
better, and Everett, if possible, suffered more 
than the day before. They drove as far as 
Leavenworth that day. On ever}'^ hand 
there was evidence of the murderous foot- 
steps of the savages. The houses were all 
deserted and the fields laid waste. 

After looking at several houses they finally 
went to one a quarter of a mile from the road 
just at dusk, and took possession. They un- 
loaded Mrs. Meyers and the children, and had 
just dragged Everett into the house (for by 



this time he was almost totally helpless), when 
they heard loud talk not far off. Bentley 
and Hatch crept out through the corn field, 
and saw three Indians going past toward 
a house not far off, where the whites first 
thought of stopping. Bentley and Hatch 
then came back. The men took Mrs. Mej'ers 
and children, and hid in the brush some dis- 
tance from the house. Everett could not well 
be moved so far, so he crawled and dragged 
himself along through a fence, and out into a 
buckwheat field. He had only just laid down 
in a hollow when the three Indians came to 
that house, looked around, and finally sat 
down on the fence, not far from him, and 
in full view. They stayed around the house 
about three-quarters of an hour, and finally 
departed without discovering any of the 
whites. It was a very close call, however. 

All hands remained concealed during the 
night, Everett staying in the buckwheat 
patch. In the morning they started again, 
having nothing to eat except flour wet up 
with water and dried in the sun. They 
crossed the Cottonwood, and drove toward 
Mankato as rapidly as possible. During the 
forenoon they could hear the booming of 
cannon at New Ulm, which was the day of 
the battle there. 

At noon they stopped in a ravine out of 
sight of the road. They were not very far 
south of New Ulm, but the firing in that di- 
rection, and all the indications surrounding 
them, made them believe that the Indians 
were in possession of all the country around 
New Ulm, at least. Meyers decided to leave 
them there, and make his way to New Ulm, 
if possible, hoping to bring a party to their 
relief. He tokl them if he did not return or 
send relief, by the next day at noon, to drive 
on to Mankato. 

The situation was indeed critical. Bands 
of murderous Indians were prowling over the 
country in every direction. There was no 
safety anywhere. This little band of settlers 
was now entirely defenseless. The three 
men were all wounded, Everett so badly 





"=7^1^ /n/^<^>-L.c^tK:r 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



537 



injured that he was almost entirely helpless. 
Mrs. Meyers was so very sick that there was 
little hope of her recovery. They had no 
food except a little raw corn and uncooked 
flour. They were worn out with constant 
watching and excitement. Tormented by an 
army of flies by day, and myriads of mos- 
quitoes by night, sleep was almost impossible. 
A few gopher knolls on a distant hill- side 
looked like a band of Indians — every rus- 
tle of the tall grass brought a startled glance 
for the cause — every clump of weeds and 
each little grove might cover the presence of 
a murderous foe. The situation was enough 
to bring terror to the strongest heart in a ro- 
bust man, and what must have been the feel- 
ings of persons half-starved, wounded, weak 
and worn out with constant watching and 
excitement, as they were compelled to wait 
and watch for twenty-four hours, with no 
assurance of relief even then ? 

After Meyers left for New Ulm the hours 
wore slowly away, and at noon the next day 
he had not returned or been heard from. 
There was no choice left, and the wounded 
and sick must reach Mankato or perish on 
the prairie. 

The oxen were put to the wagon ; Mrs. 
Meyers and William Everett were lifted into 
it, and again they started eastward. They 
drove till night and camped near a deserted 
house. Bentley and Hatch found some pota- 
toes, which were eaten raw, as they still 
feared to build a fire lest the Indians should 
discover them. 

As soon as daylight the next morning, 
they again started East, driving as rapidly 
as possible. When within eight or ten miles 
of Crystal Lake they discovered men in the 
distance, on horseback, whom they supposed 
to be Indians. The horsemen discovered 
them about the same time and came directly 
toward them. 

Bentley and Hatch at once drove to a 
slough of tall grass near bj% and hid Mrs. 
Meyers, her children and Mr. Everett in 
different places ; drove the oxen and wagon 

31 



some distance away and then secreted them- 
selves in the tall grass. Their fear of Indians 
overpowered every other feeling. They had 
no doubt whatever that the horsemen were 
Indians, and that if they were discovered they 
would be tortured and murdered. 

The horsemen came on rapidly and soon 
reached the place where the frightened, 
wounded and starved settlers were hidden. 
They searched the ground thoroughly and 
soon found one after another of the settlers 
until all were found except Charley Hatch. 

William Everett was so sick and weak that 
he could scarcely speak, but he urged Capt. 
Dane (for he it was with a squad of soldiers) to 
keep up the search for Hatch. They searched 
long and called often, but could not find 
him, and were finally compelled to go on to 
Lake Crystal without him. 

Poor Charley Hatch heard them plainly 
enough, but he believed them to be Indians 
and half-breeds who were calling him, seek- 
ing to murder him, and he refused to answer 
or stir from his hiding-place. He remained 
hidden in the grass all night. The next 
morning Everett prevailed upon tJie soldiers 
to renew their search for Hatch. They re- 
turned to the slough, and, after much time 
spent in looking and calling, finally rode on 
to his hiding-place. His joy at finding 
them friends instead of murderous savages 
quite overcame him. The wounded and 
nearly famished settlers from Shetek were 
at once removed to the hospital at Mankato. 
If we are correctly informed Mrs. Meyers 
died the day after her arrival at Mankato. 
Meyers finally reached Mankat© in safety. 
Bentley and Hatch soon recovered from their 
wounds and suffering, but Everett's life hung 
in the balance for a longtime. His wounded 
leg, by constant irritation, was fearfully 
swollen and terribly painful. His shattered 
arm was in an equally bad condition. Noth- 
ing short of an iron constitution could have 
brought him from death's door back to life 
and strength. 

He remained in the hospital at Mankato 



538 



HISTORY OP WASECA COtJNTT. 



until the following February, when he had 
SO far recovered that he could hobljle around 
on crutches, with his arm in a sling ; and in 
that condition he went to Arena, Iowa 
County, Wis., where he remained for some 
time. 

We must now return to follow briefly the 
history of those made captives at the time of 
the massacre. These were Mrs. Wright, her 
little boy and girl, Mrs. Duly and two chil- 
dren, Lillie Everett, two of Ireland's girls 
and Mrs. Cook. The prisoners were first 
taken from the camp on Cottonwood Eiver 
to Yellow Medicine, where they remained 
some time. At this place, Mrs. Wright's 
boy and other captives, including Mrs. Cook, 
were ransomed by Gen. Sibley. About 
that time, " Old Pawn " took the other 
Shetek prisoners and started across the 
country for tlie Missouri Eiver. The chil- 
dren, especially, were badly treated. An 
old hag of a squaw seemed to take particular 
delisrht in torturino^ them. On two or three 
occasions Lillie came near being killed by 
this old squaw. She pounded her with a 
club most brutally. They were finally taken 
into winter quarters on the Missouri River, 
some four hundred miles above Fort Randall. 

Their final release was somewhat remark- 
able. Early one morning Mrs. Wright was 
down at the bank of the Missouri, getting a 
pail of water, when she discovered two white 
men in a boat, going down the river. She 
hailed them and told them the story of her 
capture, and that of the others. She said 
there were two women and six children, and 
she implored them to rescue the captives. 
They hesitated some time, but finally con- 
cluded that it would be impossible for them 
to do so. They told her however, that they 
would make all haste to report the facts to 
the government officers. True to their word, 
tliey did so, and tlie result was pubhshed by 
the Fort Dodge (Iowa) Times some years 
ago. We learn from this report that an In- 
dian chief, Ma-to To-pa, Four Bear, who was 
friendly to the whites, was requested to go 



to the hostile camp and rescue the captives, 
either by force or treaty. He called a coun- 
cil of his braves, and it was determined that 
they would make an effort to rescue the cap- 
tives. He selected ten of his best braves, 
and with eight good horses started for the 
hostile camp. They took their rifles, bows 
and arrows, as if going to war. They started 
in November, 18()2, and traveled seven days 
— snow falling nearly every day. They at 
last reached the camp of the hostiles, near 
the moutli of Grand River. The next morn- 
ing the hostile Indians invited them to a 
council. They tied their eight horses close 
to the tepee and went in. Both parties were 
armed. Four Bear was asked what urgent 
business had brought him and his braves so 
far from home at that time of year. 

He replied that he had heard they had 
been on the war path and had taken some 
prisoners. He made quite a speech, and 
told them he and his party had come for the 
captives and would not return without them. 

One of tlie hostiles said : " You are all 
Indians, and belong to the same confedera- 
tion that we do, and instead of being friendly 
to the accursed pale face you should unite with 
us and help slay them as long as there is a 
Dakota on the face of the earth." 

Four Bear replied that he and his braves 
were friendly to the whites, and always 
would be — that they would never lift a hand 
against the women and children of the 
whites, and that the hostiles must give up 
the captives. 

The council was a stormy one, lasting all 
day ; but finally one of the hostiles said they 
had the captives and they were woi'th money, 
and nothing less than $1,000 in ponies would 
get them. Near niglit tliey finally agreed 
that the hostiles should exchange their eight 
prisoners for the eight horses and saddles. 
The exchange was made that night, and 
then they smoked the pipe of peace. 

The hostile band on their retreat from 
Minnesota, were so afraid of being overtaken 
by the whites that they took no time to hunt, 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



530 



and in consequence the prisoners were nearly 
starved to death. The first square meal for 
some time was indulged in that night, and it 
consisted of venison and coffee. Four Bear 
was of the opinion that the women and 
children relished his cooking that night. 

The prisoners were so destitute of cloth- 
ing, that they were compelled to divide their 
wardrobe with them. The weather was in- 
tensely cold, but the homeward march be- 
gan. The six children had to be carried 
every step of the way, and the two women 
the greater part of it. Some of the Indians 
would go ahead and kill game, and get the 
camp ready at night when they arrived. In 
consequence of the great deptli of snow it 
was a slow, laborioils tramj). At Swan Lake 
they met some of their people and ti'aded 
some ammunition and blankets for sugar and 
coffee for the captives, and in the morning 
they all contributed everything they could 
spare for the use of a big horse to get home 
with. They made a "travoy," which is two 
long poles, one end of each fastened to the 
saddle, extending backward on each side of 
the horse with cross-pieces lashed on. The 
six children were bundled on this vehicle 
and they got along splendidly. They ar- 
rived at last at their camp, and the next day 
they took the captives across the river and 
turned them over to the officer in command, 
who gave Four Bear the following: 

Fort Pierre, D. T., Dec. 12, 1862. 

The bearer, Ma-to To-pa, is one of the 
eleven Indians that recovered Mrs. Julia 
"Wright, Mrs. Emma Duly and six children 
from the Ih-Sanu-Ta, near the Grand River, 
in November, 1862. He deserves to be kindly 
treated by aU. 

[Signed] John Pattee. 

Major 1st Iowa Cavalry 
Expedition in Search of Prisoners. 

In course of time the captives were sent 
down the Missouri River, and across the 
country to Fort Dodge, Iowa. 

"William Everett saw a report in the Chi- 
cago papers that the captives would soon be 



at Cedar Falls, Iowa. He left Arena, "Wis., 
on crutches, his wounded arm still useless, 
to meet them at Cedar Falls. He was 
doomed to disappointment, for on his arrival 
there he learned they had not yet arrived, 
and that he must go to Fort Dodge to meet 
them. He took the stage for that jilace, but 
on his arrival there could hear no news of 
them. There he was taken sick and confined 
to his bed for two weeks. In the meantime 
the captives arrived, and among tliem iiis 
child, Lillie. Wright also met his wife and 
little daughter at that place. 

Mr. Everett, as soon as he was able to 
travel, returned again to "Wisconsin with his 
little child. He remained at Arena until 
1867. He lost all his propertj^ at Lake She- 
tek, amounting to $5,000, and only received' 
from the government for his loss $800. 

It will be remembered by our readers that 
the mail-carrier, after his failure to reach 
New Ulm, returned to Brown's house, where 
he left Mrs. Hurd and her two children, Mrs. 
Eastlick and two children, and "Uncle Tom- 
my Ireland." After the mail-carrier left, 
these parties remained at Brown's house for 
nine days, living upon the vegetables grow- 
ing on the farm. 

Thomas Ireland gradually recovered from 
his wounds, while Mrs, Eastlick was as yet 
unable to walk. Mr. Ireland proposed at 
last to make a trip to New Ulm, and get as- 
sistance to remove the women and children. 
During their stay there two large dogs had 
come to them and remained there. 

On Monday morning, the ninth day they 
had been there, Ireland, taking two cooked 
chickens as a supply of food, started for 
New Ulm, sajing that he should try and 
reach New Ulm that night, and would send 
relief on Tuesday. Mrs. Eastlick says : 

"All the afternoon of Tuesday we looked 
long and eagerly for some one to come to 
our relief, until after dark, when I retired 
and slept some hours. At about midnight 
we were awakened by the loud barking of the 
dogs. Mrs. Hurd arose and went to the 



540 



HISTORY OF WASECA CODNTY. 



window, but could see nothing. The dogs, 
however, barked more savagely than before, 
running out a short distance and then back 
to the door. This frightened us very much, 
as we thought it must be Indians, or the 
dogs woukl not act so. But, thought I, 
whether it be friends or enemies, I must arise 
and dress, though it may be the last time. 
So I began putting on my clothes, still ask- 
ing Mrs. Hurd if she saw anything, when, 
just as I was about dressed, she exclaimed, 
' My God ! Cook, is that you ? ' Then I real- 
ized that it was some one whom she knew. 
It proved to be a young man named Cook, 
who lived at Lake Shetek, and some time 
before the outbreak had gone to Crystal 
Lake to work in harvest, and mj'^ neighbor, 
■ "Wright, who was also gone at the time. 
They came into the house and greeted us 
with tears in their eyes, while Mrs. Hurd 
and I wept aloud for joy. They were ac- 
companied by a squad of soldiers, who also 
came into the house. The soldiers stationed 
guards about the house, to prevent a sur- 
prise. We now learned that ' Uncle Tom- 
my ' had succeeded in getting into New Ulm 
about noon on Tuesday, and at once made 
known our condition to Capt. Dane, who or- 
dered fourteen men under Lieut. Roberts to 
prepare to start as soon as possible to our re- 
lief. It was almost sunset before they were 
ready to start, when Wright and Cook came 
into town and, learning the facts, volunteered 
to attend them as guides. They reached our 
place at midnight, and fearful that the sight 
of them all at once would frighten us, Wright 
and Cook came on alone to rouse us. The 
soldiers brought some tea and crackers, killed 
some chickens, gathered some vegetaljles 
and prepared a good meal. At daylight they 
placed the feather bed, some quilts and a 
buffalo robe in a light, two-horse wagon. I 
was then helped in with Mrs. Hurd and our 
children. 

"When about five miles on the road, 
Lieut. Roberts rode back and ordered the 
driver to turn out of the road, pointing a 



little distance ahead of us. I looked in the 
direction he pointed, and beheld the body of 
a gray -haired man lying in the road. This 
was the body of Brown, who owned the 
house where we had stopped. We soon 
crossed a run where stood his wagon, the 
goods thrown out and scattered upon the 
ground. There were two feather beds which 
the soldiers took along. Near the wagon 
was the body of Mrs. Brown, with her head 
split open. As we started out in the morn- 
ing, one of the soldiers, Gilfiilan, tarried be- 
hind, got lost from the company and his 
body was found next day some six miles 
from New Ulm, shot through the breast and 
his head severed from his body." 

All along the route tlie houses had been 
plundered, and several dead bodies were 
found. 

These parties I'emained for some time in 
New Ulm and were kindly nursed and cared 
for. About the 5th of September they went 
to Mankato under escort. As soon as Mi's. 
Eastlick was able to travel she went to 
friends in Wisconsin. 

Mrs. Cook was taken with some of the 
other prisoners back to the settlement at 
Lake Shetek, to Ireland's house, where a 
large number of Indians were camped for 
the night. They held a big war dance that 
night, notwithstanding the storm. The In- 
dian who claimed her told her to stay in the 
"tepee" or the other Indians would kill her. 
They kept up the pow-wow nearly all night, 
and their chief having been killed during the 
day, they chose " Old Pawn " to succeed 
him. 

Next morning some of the Indians brought 
in Lillie Everett, so chilled and wet that she 
could hardly speak. Mrs. Cook and Mrs. 
Duly wrapped her in a shawl and sat her 
down close by the fire. This so enraged the 
savages that they fired at them, one bullet 
passing through the skirt of Mrs. Duly's 
dress, and another piercing the shawl worn 
by Mrs. Cook, just below her shoulders. 
Fortunately neither one of them was hurt. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



541 



While returning to the lake Mrs. Cook 
was leading little Belle Duly, five years old, 
when the murderous old squaw that killed 
Fred. Eastlick came along, snatched the 
child away, whipped her over the face with 
a raw-hide, raised her as high as she could 
and threw her upon the gi'ound with all her 
force ; next, tied the child to a bush, stepped 
back a few paces, threw knives at her, 
hitting her in various parts of the body until 
life was extinct, while the mother was 
forced to behold the sight, with no power to 
shield her child. 

The Indians gathered together quite a 
drove of cattle, loaded several wagons with 
plunder, and compelled the women to drive 
the oxen that drew the wagons, and also the 
loose cattle. They went to the Cottonwood, 
and thence across the prairie to the Yellow 
Medicine country. 

Mrs. Cook was with the savages seven 
weeks. For three or four weeks she had 
plenty to eat, but was finally sold to an old 
Indian who was very good to her sometimes, 
and at other times very cruel. One day he 
told her he was going to another band of 
Indians at some distance, and some of the 
squaws told her that where they were going 
there was hardly anything to eat. He 
finally started off, compelling her to go with 
him. She made no resistance, but after go- 
ing some five miles, she offered to carry his 
gun for him. He gave it to her. She man- 
aged to take off the cap and throw it away, 
then spit in the tube to make sure the gun 
would not go off, and then told him she 
should go no farther with him. He seized 
his gun from her hands and told her to go 
on or he would shoot her, at the same time 
raising his gun. She boldh' told him to 
shoot for she would not go with him, and 
bared her breast as if to be instantly killed. 
He was amazed, and dropped the butt of his 
gun in astonishment. He probably thought 
her the bravest squaw he ever saw. At least 
he concluded to return with her. 

That night she intended to escape with a 



squaw who had married a white man, and 
who was also a prisoner ; but their plan was 
defeated by the sickness of the squaw's babe. 
The next morning the child was better, and 
all the Indians left the camp except the one 
who claimed to own Mrs. Cook. This was 
an opportunity not to be lost. Mrs. Cook 
stole away to the river unperceived, and the 
squaw rode a pony in the same direction, 
pretending to be going to water him. She 
let him go at the river and started with 
Mrs. Cook. They traveled as rapidly as pos- 
sible, crossed the Minnesota Kiver ten times 
that day in order to hide their trail if fol- 
lowed. They ti-aveled, they thought, about 
thirty miles, when they came upon " Ked 
Iron's" band of Indians, whom they joined. 
After remaining three or four days with this 
band they were surrendered, with a great 
many other captives, to Gen. Sibley's com- 
mand by Ked Iron. Mrs Cook afterward 
married and settled in Mankato. 

Thomas Ireland recovered from his wounds 
and has since lived in Mankato. He was 
married again some time ago. Both daugh- 
ters remained with him until recently one 
of them was married. 

Charley Hatch is married and lives in 
Faribault County. 

Mrs. Hurd was living at La Crosse at last 
accounts. 

Mr. Duly joined the Mounted Rangers 
and became captain of scouts. He it was 
Avho cut the drop that sent the thirty-eight 
condemned Indians into eternity on the 26th 
of December, 1862. The last heard of him 
he was in Iowa. 

Mrs. Geo. P. Keeney, nee Lillie Everett, 
resides with her husband in California. 

The young people of to-day, and the older 
people of the more eastern States, can have 
but a faint idea of the real situation of 
the ])eoj)le of this State at the time of 
the Indian outbreak. The State had then 
raised 5,000 troops for service in the war 
of the rebellion. The people were all pooi-, 
many of them in destitute circumstances. 



542 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Men were without suitable arms, destitute of 
ammunition and entirely unorganized. The 
Indians came like a thief in the night, and 
before the settlers were aware of it they had 
murdered and plundered all the frontier set- 
tlements. To add to the general fear in this 
section, the Winnebago tribe of Indians was 
located on a reservation occupying portions 
of Blue Earth and Waseca counties, between 
Mankato and Wilton. The wildest stories 
were in circulation everywhere, and every- 
body believed them, more or less, because 
they had no means of knowing the contrary. 



Many people took teams and wagons, with 
a few household goods, perhaps, and fled, 
leaving cattle, crops and everything else to 
eo to destruction. The wildest excitement 
prevailed almost everywhere. At one time 
a strong guard was stationed on the bridge 
at Wilton to arrest the stampede of settlers, 
long after all danger was over. The loss 
of property and crops was immense tlirough- 
out the State, and the consequent suffering 
the ensuing year was wide-spread on the 
frontier. 




e>«k3 



CHAPTER XVI. 




WILTON TOWNSHIP. 



ONGRESSIONAL township 106 
north, range 23, constitutes what 
is known as Wilton. This is one 
of the most level, beautiful tracts 
of country in Waseca County. It 
is but very slightly undulating, 
the difference between the high- 
est and lowest portions of the sur- 
face, connected b}^ slopes from a 
quarter of a mile to a mile in 
lengtlj. is but from five to ten feet. 
The soil is rich, alluvial, clayey 
loam, enriched by decay of vegetation for 
countless centuries, and is peculiarly adapted 
for the wants of agriculture. All the small 
grains, corn, vegetables and small fruits do 
exceedingly well, and return a rich harvest 
to the industrious tiller of the soil. 

The Le Sueur River enters this township 
on the east side of section 36, and flowing in 
a general northerly direction, sometimes in 
this and sometimes in the adjoining town of 
Otisco, fully waters the eastern side of Wil- 
ton. In the western part lies Silver Lake, a 
superb sheet of water into which little runs 
and streamlets carry the drainage of the west- 
ern portion of the territory. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement in the county was in 
the township of Wilton. In August, 185J-, 
Asa G. Sutlief came to this place and made 
a settlement on section 35, as detailed at 
length in the history of the early settlement 
of the county in the former portion of this 
work. He remained here until November, 
when leaving his cattle, shanty and claim in 
charge of Luther Barrett, of Mankato, and 



taking his family into his wagon, he returned 
to Wisconsin. In January, 1855, he returned 
here and made this his residence, except about 
four years spent south, until his death, which 
occurred October 13, 1871. 

Byron CI. Sutlief, a son of Asa G. Sutlief, 
the first settler of this county, was born in 
the town of Wilton, Waseca County, Sep- 
tember 10, 1858, and still resides on the 
pioneer farm taken up by his father on the 
banks of the Le Sueur River, previous to the 
government survey of this part of the State, 
the surveying party wliile woi'king here 
boarding with A. G. Sutlief s family. On this 
farm was built the first house in Waseca 
County This was of primitive style, erected 
of loe:s, and stood about sixtv rods southeast 
of Byron Sutlief's present residence. The 
latter jrentleman owns 200 acres of excellent 
land, all situated in section 35, in Wilton 
Township. He was married December 18, 
1884, to Lavenne Kerr, who was born in St. 
Mary Township, this county, October 1, 1864. 
Asa G. Sutlief, the father, was born in New 
York State and died in Wilton, October 13, 
1871. The mother of Byron is a native of 
England, and is residing with her son on the 
old -homestead. 

In January, 1855, on the return of Mr. 
Sutlief to this county, James E. Child, his 
brother, S. P. Child, and a man by the name 
of Plummer. came with iiim. They made 
claims in Wilton Township and settled there, 
where they resided for years. J. E. Child 
is the senior editor of the Waseca Herald; 
S. P. Child is a resident of Faribault County 
and both are spoken of fully elsewhere. 
Plummer lived here only about ten months. 



543 



544 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



and then returned to Wisconsin, from whence 
he had come to this country. 

Christopher Scott and his family were the 
next to locate in this little settlement. They 
came here in Januar}^ 1855, and put up Avith 
Mr. Sutlief until they could get their cabin 
built, into which they then removed. Scott 
came here from what was then called the 
" Straight River Settlement,'' wnere he had 
been staying since the previous autumn. He 
took up a claim about a mile north of ilr. 
Sutlief s. He was a native of Pennsylvania. 
He died in Kansas, whither he removed after 
living here a few years. 

The spring of 1855 had scarceh' dawned 
when he was followed by his father and 
brother, Andrew and Charles D. Scott. An- 
drew took a claim on section 13, and opened 
up a farm where he dwelt for a few years, 
when he removed to Wilton where he died 
about 1865. Charles D. lived with his 
father until the removal of the latter, 
when he continued to farm on the old 
homestead. Finally he abandoned this, but 
is still a resident of the township. 

During the summer of the same year, 
David J. and John Jenkins came to this 
county and made claims in Wilton Town- 
ship. 

John Jenkins was the first justice of the 
peace in the new settlement, and performed 
the first marriage ceremony in the county, 
as related elsewhere. He was a native of 
the State of New York. In 1862 he enlisted 
in Company F, Fifth Minnesota Infantr}^ 
and while in the service of the United 
States died at luka, Miss., August 21, 1862, 
of disease brought on bv exposure and camp 
life. 

David Jenkins erected the first house in 
the immediate vicinity of the village of 
Wilton. He is still a resident of the county. 

In January, 1856, William Young and Am- 
brose Kellogg came here from Jackson Coun- 
ty, Iowa, and made claims. Young located 
on section 26, in this township, on the farm 
now occupied by George T. Dunn. He was 



a single man at that time, and remained here, 
off and on, for some five or six years, when 
he went to Fillmore County, where he was 
married. Afterward he removed to Iowa 
where he is still living. Kellogg was a doc- 
tor, but never practiced while here. He 
took up a claim on section 35, which he soon 
sold ; prospected around for coal, etc., and 
finally went back to Iowa, but is now in 
Kansas. 

Early in the spring of this year (1856), 
William Wells came here from Wisconsin, 
and took up a claim. He was unfortunate 
in his marriage relations, and his wife leaving 
him, he finally, after five or six years resi- 
dence, removed back to the Badger State. 
He was known throughout this region as 
" Nucky Wells." 

Benjamin F. Weed, at the present a resi- 
dent of the town of New Richland, made a 
settlement on section 23, in 1856, where he 
made his home for many years. A sketch of 
him is given in connection with the history 
of the township in which he is living. With 
him came Silas O. Kellogg, who remained 
but a short time ; he is now a I'esident of 
Jackson County, Iowa. 

E. A. Rice and Isaac Hamlin located claims 
here during the year 1856. Mr. Rice was 
identified with the official life of the county, 
and is noticed in that connection in Chapter 
VIII. 

Jesse I. Stewart came to this township in 
1856, and located in the village of Wilton. 
He was a member of the Legislature of the 
State at the session commencing January. 
1860, having served the county previous to 
that as treasurer for two years. Early in 
the "sixties," he removed to Morristown, 
and in 1879, emigrated to far away Oregon. 

Jacob Brubaker and his son G. E. came to 
this township and located upon section 28. 
Jacob Brubaker died in August, IS 78, at 
Waseca. 

Tarrant Putnam located at the village 
of Wilton in 1856, and was closely con- 
nected with the organization of the county 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



545 



in 1857, being the first register of deeds. 
He is still living, dividing his time between 
this and Faribault County. 

H. P. Norton, now a resident of the city of 
Waseca, made a settlement in this town in 
1856. He was prominently identified with 
the office of register of deeds, which he held 
in 186J: and 1865, and is mentioned in that 
connection. 

Nathaniel Garland, the first sherifl' of 
Waseca County, came to the little settle- 
ment in Wilton, in 1856, Avhere he located. 
He was, after holding office, engaged in the 
mercantile business in the village of Wilton, 
and afterward at Waseca, where he died. 

Col. John C. Ide in the fall of 1856 came 
to Wilton bringing with him a steam saw- 
mill, owned by himself and A. B. Cornell, of 
Owatonna. One of the leading men of his 
day, he was a recipient of the favor of the 
people and chosen to fill the office of county 
auditor. He is mentioned in that connection 
in the chapter devoted to State and County 
representation. 

In October, 1856, Michael O'Brien located 
a claim on a part of section 12, where he 
made a residence. He was and is a single 
man, and lives in Wilton Township, at this 
writing. 

Nathan Duane Baker made his appearance 
in the township in 1856. About the same 
time came Thomas L. Paige. Both these 
gentlemen are spoken of in connection with 
the village of Wilton, further on. 

Abraham Jaque made a settlement in 
Waseca County in 1856, also, and remained 
a resident until May, 1872, when he passed 
over to the land beyond the grave. 

Patrick Kenehan came to this township in 
1856, and is still a resident. He was born in 
Ireland on St. Patrick's day, March 17, 1825. 
He lived in the Emerald Isle, until March 
18, 1849, when he started for America, lantl- 
ing in New York on the 1st of May, 1849. 
He came to Geneva, Wis., and from there 
removed to Peoria, 111., and from there to 
Lacon, in the same State and from the latter 



place came to Waseca County in 1856, set- 
tling on section 9, this township. During 
the Indian troubles in 1862, Mr. Kenehan 
belonged to the home organization for pro- 
tection, and was one of three men detailed 
to visit the Winnebago agency to interview 
the agent, and found his house guarded by a 
company of soldiers and the Indians kept 
down through fear of the same. October 
24, 1849, Mr. Kenehan and Bridget Martin 
were united in marriage at Geneva, Wis., by 
Rev. Father McKiernan. They have been 
the parents of nine children, of whom six 
are now living : James born August 31, 1850, 
died in 1851 ; John, born February 13, 1852 ; 
Margeret, born July 4, 1854, died October 
27, 1860; Patrick Henry, born October 9, 
1856 ; Michael, born December 3, 1858, died 
November 17, 1865 ; Elizabeth, born Decem- 
ber 4, 1860 ; Mary Ann, December 15, 1862 ; 
William Pius, January 15, 1865, and Agnes, 
March 7, 1867. 

Noah Lincoln was also one of the settlers 
of the same 3'ear. He was born in New 
York State, June 16, 1822, and came here 
from Cass County, Mich. He was united 
in marriage with Emma S. Davis, December 
7. 1844. She was born December 19, 1826. 
They had a famih' of eight children : Maria 
W., born October 13, 1845 ; Francis M., born 
July 4, 1847, died in the army, at Mound 
City, 111., April 7, 1865 ; Charles F:, born 
September 9, 1849 ; Friend A., December 11, 
1851, died August 28, 1852; Elva V., July 
13, 1853 ; Louisa J., November 20, 1855, died 
July 8, 1887; Mina A., November 19, 1859, 
died March 30, 1862, and Ida V., born April 
4, 1862. The family came through from 
Michigan with a team of oxen, consuming 
nine weeks on the way. During the winter 
of 1856-7 they were compelled to put up 
with many hardships, having to exist a 
greater part of the time on buckwheat 
ground in a coffee mill. Finally Mr. Lincoln 
bought a bushel and a half of corn for whicli 
he had to pay five dollars. On coming hei'e 
he took up a government claim, but soon 



546 



HISTOET OF WASECA COUNTY. 



sold out aud purchased nearly 219 acres 
on section 1, Wilton, and moved to the vil- 
lage of Wilton, where he died March 23, 
1875. His son Charles F. carries on the 
farm. 

Charles F. Lincoln was born in Cass County, 
Mich., September 9, 1849, and is the son 
of Noah and Emma S. (Davis) Lincoln. He 
came to Minnesota with his parents in 1855, 
and to Wilton Township, Waseca County 
the year following. April 9, 1885, C. F. 
Lincoln and Mary Pomroy were united in 
marriage at Jackson,Mich.. She was born 
January 23, 1858. They have had one child 
which is now dead. 

Alexander Henderson was also an arrival 
of the year 1856. 

Early in the spring of 1857, several set- 
tlers made their appearance in this vicinity, 
among whom were George H. Woodbury, 
who settled on section 28 ; George Barclay, 
who located a claim on part of section 21 ; 
David Weaver, on section 11, and Eobert 
Gibson who " stuck his stakes " on the north- 
west quarter of section 29. 

Frank Hadley and Eugene A. Smith came 
to the township this year, also. 

Among the settlers of the year 1857, was 
Edwin E. Verplanck. Lithe spring of that 
year, he came to Wilton Township and took 
up a claihi southwest of the village, where 
he lived for a short time, then abandoned it 
and moved back to Faribault. After his dis- 
charge from the United States service, in 
Company G, First Minnesota Infantrj^ he 
came back to Waseca County and settled in 
New Richland, where he is at present a 
resident. 

M. F. Conner was born in Ireland, Decem- 
ber 24, 1846, and came with his parents to 
America when but a child. The family 
settled in the State of Illinois, in 1848. In 
1857, they came to Waseca County, and 
settled in the town of Wilton. During the 
years 1866, 1867 and 1808, M. F. was in 
Montana Territory, where he was engaged 
in mining, but at the end of that time re- 



turned to this county. November 2, 1873, 
he was united in marriage with Alice Dolan 
and the}^ have been the parents of eight chil- 
dren : George F., born July 13, 1874 ; Nel- 
lie E., born November 11, 1876 ; Arthur E., 
born May 14, 1877 ; Charles M., born Janu- 
ary 29, 1879 ; William, born February 14, 
1881; Gertrude, born November 13, 1883; 
Leo S., born April 13, 1885, and James Wal- 
ter, born August 8, 1887. Mr. Conner owns 
and cultivates a fine farm of 160 acres on 
section 16, Wilton Township, and is a promi- 
nent and representative citizen of the county. 
He has held the offices of county commis- 
sioner, township trustee and member of the 
school board. He and his family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church. 

On the 2d of November, 1857, William 
Murphy and his family left their home in 
Philadelphia, and journeyed toward Minne- 
sota, first stopping in Steele County, but in 
December of the same year changed his 
residence to the village of Wilton. While 
there he was connected with the seminary, 
as teacher, and died at that place Mav 14, 
1859. 

C. O. Norton was among the settlers of 
1857. He located in the village of Wilton, 
where he carried on the blacksmith trade. 
On the founding of the village of Waseca 
he removed there, where he died July 22, 
1868. 

B. A. Lowell Sr., now a resident of Wa- 
seca, located in Wilton duringthej^ear 1858, 
among the early settlers. 

Thomas Bardon, Patrick Madden and 
Thomas Bowers are among the early settlers 
of Wilton Township that are still left in this 
locality. 

Jackson TurnaclifF, proprietor of "Town- 
Line Farm," was born in the State of New 
York, May 6, 1835, and while a child the 
family moved to Ohio, where he was reared 
until he was about twent}' yeai's of age, when 
he came to Iowa and settled in Jackson 
County, but only remained there a short 
time, when he started for Minnesota, walk- 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



547 



ing the whole distance, arriving in this State 
the last day of the year 1855. He took 
up a claim on section 7, in the town of 
Otisco. He subsequentl}^ purchased the land 
on section 12, "Wilton Township, where he 
now lives, in 1867, and has erected an exceed- 
ingly fine residence and barns. His farm 
contains 160 acres of land located on both 
sides of the Le Sueur Eiver. August 25, 
1858, Mr. Turnacliff and Lucia Elvira Barber 
were married in Ohio. She was born in that 
State, February 6, 1839. They have been 
the parents of nine children, eight of whom 
are living : Minnie Dora, born June 6, 1859 ; 
Lolah Mina, born January 26, 1861 ; Elsa 
Lavern, October 26, 1863 ; Linna May, De- 
cember 6, 1865, died October 6, 1866; Laura 
Meria, August 9, 1867 ; Ferdinand, April 26, 
1872; Walter D., May 1, 1876 ; Jay B., Sep- 
tember 5, 1880 ; Kill, May 1, 1885. 

Ferdinand Turnacliff, the father of Jack- 
son, was born in Otsego County, N. Y., 
September 11, 1813, and is now a resident 
of Waseca County, and one of its early 
settlers. His wife, Maria, was born in New 
York, April 4, 1812, and died December 6, 
1862. They were the parents of five chil- 
dren : Amelia Ann, born January 2 1837 ; 
Delevan, September 30, 1838; Sally M., 
August 27, 1842, died June 13, 1860 ; Matilda, 
born March 16, 1848, and Seymour, boi'n 
May 8, 1851, died January 17, 1854. 

S. A. Farrington was born in Kennebec 
County, Me., August 27, 1826, and in an 
early day removed with his parents to what 
is now Green Lake County, Wis., where 
he remained until 1857, when he came to 
Waseca County, Minn., settling in Otisco 
Township, from whence he moved to Wood- 
ville Township, and in 1884 to this pres- 
ent location on section 15, in Wilton. No- 
vember 26, 1855, he was married to Mary 
Foster, who was born November 26, 1840. 
The young people shortly after their mar- 
riage, came with a colony of twelve families 
from Green Lake County by team, spending 
some five weeks on the trip. All these 



people settled within the radius of six miles, 
and Mr. and Mr. Farrington had to live in 
their wagon until they completed a house. 
This was a hard year for the new arrivals, 
and the first experience Mr. Farrington 
had was dividing the necessaries of life with 
their more needy neighbors. During the 
Indian troubles twelve neighboring families 
congregated at Mr. Farrington's houses, 
for he had two, and he generously provided 
them with shelter. All were badly fright- 
ened by a report of the coming of their 
savage foes, and hiding their most valua- 
ble articles in a stone jar, concealed it in a 
corn-field. Mr. and Mrs. Farrington have 
had born to them eight children, seven of 
whom are now living : Minnie E., born Sep- 
tember 7, 1857, died December 11, 1875; 
Howard S., born October 31, 1859;Kosetta 
S., born June 30, 1861 ; Sarah C, July 20, 
1863; Warren A., October 11, 1866 ; Edith 
M., May 30, 1870 ; Frank W., February 5, 
1875. and Guy A., October 18, 1878. Mr. 
Farrington's farm consists of 160 acres in 
Wilton Township and 40 acres near the 
town of Waseca. He has a herd of fine 
grade short-horn and Holstein cattle, and 
is giving considerable attention to stock- 
raising. 

P. Burns is a native of Ireland, born in the 
year 1837, who emigrated to the shores of 
America and settled in the State of Ohio in 
1851. There he remained until 1856, when 
he came to Minnesota. In 1865 he moved 
to the farm which he now occupies. On the 
11th of June, 1862, he was united in marriage 
with Ann How Ian, and they have eight 
children, all living ; Mary Elizabeth, born 
April 27, 1863; Margaret, December 20, 
1864; George, December 18, 1866 ; Catherine 
Ann, April 5, 1869; Martha, July 4, 1871; 
Martin, July 29, 1873 ; Peter, November 30, 
1878, and William, January 15, 1882. Mr. 
Burns is making a specialty of breeding 
short-horn cattle and has a herd of forty 
head of grades. In early times, like all old 
settlers, he had some tough experiences, but 



548 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



by courage and perseverence got through 
them all and is now one of the most j^ros- 
perous farmers in the county. He has held 
the office of treasurer of the township. 

James A. Root, the proprietor of the 
" Willow Grove Farm," is a native of Jeffer- 
son, N". Y., born February 26, 1832. With 
his parents he removed to Ellicottville, 
Cattaraugus County, N". Y., where his 
mother died. In 1859 they removed to 
Minnesota, settling on the farm where 
James A. now lives, on section 34, in this 
township. His father, Joseph N. Eoot, came 
later and died here April 12, 1869, aged 68 
years and eight months. James A. Eoot and 
Hannah Brisbane were united in marriage 
December 12, 1859. She is a daughterof Hon. 
William Brisbane and born August 18, 1840. 
They have been the parents of ten children 
of whom eight are now living; Charles E., 
born February 27, 1861, married to Ella M. 
Eoddle February 2, 1883, who was born in 
Wilton, January 12, 1863, and who is the 
mother of one child, Oren E., born 
February 4, 1884 ; William L., born Jan- 
uary 29, 1863; Joseph S., born April 16, 
1865 ; Cora B., August 26, 1867; Hattie M., 
March 4, 1870; James A., May 22, 1872; 
Maggie J., May 31, 1873 ; Freddie, July 2, 
1877, died August 24, 1877; Dora" E., 
born March 14, 1879, and Marvin L., born 
October 9, 1880, died February 22, 1882. 
Mr. Root's farm comprises some 270 acres of 
tine land and is well tilled, and his residence 
is surrounded by a thrifty plantation of fine 
trees containing nearly all the varieties that 
will grow in this climate. Besides, he lias a 
fine orchard of fruit trees and a garden of 
small fruit. 

John Doran was born in Ireland, June 20, 
1829. On the 11th of December, 1851, he 
left the Emerald Isle and came to America, 
and for awhile after his arrival here drifted 
about the State of New York, but finally 
settled in Erie County, that State. From 
there he came west, and locating in Wis- 
consin, remained there about ten vears. 



coming to Waseca County in 1865 and set- 
tled on section 27, in this township. He sub- 
sequently removed to his present location 
in section 33. March 16, 1855, in the State 
of New York, John Doran and Catherine 
Kohl were united in marriage, and they have 
been the parents of fourteen children, nine 
of whom are now living : Peter, born Feb- 
ruary 27, 1856; James and David, (twins) 
born and died in November, 1857; Annista- 
cia Mary, l^orn November 5, 1858 ; Mar- 
garette Ann, born March 28, 1861 ; James A., 
June 15, 1863 ; Mary C, June 27, 1865, died 
July 6, 1887; Catherine A., September 29, 
1867 ; John M., January 8, 1869 ; George W., 
born March 28, 1871, died August 8, 1874 ; 
Agnes E., born June 26, 1874, died August 
15, 1886; George William, March 2, 1877; 
Lurina M., November 7, 1880, and Nellie 
G., July 7, 1882. 

H. B. Allen is a native of Potsdam, St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y., born May 1, 1836. 
From there the family moved to Penn- 
sylvania and finally to Wisconsin. On the 
16th of November, 1860, he was united 
in marriage with Elizabeth Ackerman, in 
Columbia County, Wis. The date of her 
birth was January 13, 1839. In June, 1863, 
Mr. and Mrs. Allen came to Minnesota, set- 
tling in Faribault County. While there Mr. 
Allen enlisted in Comjiany G, 1st Minne- 
sota Infantry, and served until the close of 
the war, being discharged at Washington, 
in April, 1864, viewing the body of the mur- 
dered president, Abraham Lincoln, as it lay 
in state in that city, while there. Mrs. 
Allen had four brothers in the service during 
the war, one of whom spent two years in 
the rebel jirison pens and endured hardships 
that no ijen can tell of or words portray. 
Mr. Allen has a fine farm and is extensively 
ena'a"'ed in stock-raising', having several tine 
short-horn cattle, full bloods. Mr. and Mrs. 
Allen have had born to them the following 
children : Benjamin C, born September 12, 
1861 ; Willie D. W., born October 25, 1867 ; 
Merritt H. C, born August 6, 1871 ; Josie 



HISTOEY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



549 



Gladys, boi'n July 30, 1873, and twins that 
died in infancy. They came to Waseca 
County in 1876 and settled on section 25, in 
this town, where they now live. 

R. Nelson was born in Crawford County, 
Pa., December 16, 1837. When he was 
twelve years of age his parents moved to 
he State of Wisconsin, where they lived for 
years. In 1857 Mr. Nelson made a tour of 
inspection through a part of Minnesota and 
then returned to the Badger State. On the 
9th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company 
A, Thirty-second Wisconsin Infantry, and 
served one year, when he was discharged, in 
October, 1863, but remained at the front un- 
til some time in December in the same year, 
when he came to Wilton and mad§ a settle- 
ment. February 2, 1865, he reenlisted, this 
time in tlie First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, 
and went to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he 
remained until the close of the war. March 
18, 1866, he was united in marriage witli 
Rhoda A. Sutlief, a daughter of Asa G. 
Sutlief, the first settler of this county, born 
in Dodge County, Wis., September 18, 1818. 
They are the parents of seven children, six 
of whom are living : Lee B., born December 
31, 1868 ; Rezin Jr., born February 15, 
1871; Clarence W., born April 13, 1873; 
Mary, born January 22, 1876, who died Feb- 
ruary 22, 1882 ; Roy, born September 23, 
1878; Volney F., born February 10, 1881, 
died Februaiy 5, 1882; Nellie D., born 
August 20, 1884, and Rex G., born March 5, 
1887. Mr. Nelson settled upon his present 
place in 1871. 

E. M. Atwood was born at Littleton, N. 
H., December 24, 1839, and moved with his 
parents to Wisconsin in the fall of 1849. He 
resided in various places in the Badger State 
but finally, in 1859, left Grant County, that 
State, and came to Waseca County, first set- 
tling in the town of St. Mary. In 1866 he 
located in Wilton Township, where he at 
present resides. In 1862 he enlisted in com- 
pany F, Fifth Minnesota Infantry, and served 
three years, being discharged at Point Look- 



out, Md., January 25, 1865, and is a member 
of Lewis McKune Post No. 29, Grand Army 
of the Republic. March 11, 1869, Mr. Atwood 
and Mary Frances Reibeling, a native of 
Philadelphia, were united in marriage at 
Wilton, by Elder Smith. They are the parents 
of five children: Eva Valeria, born February 
27, 1870, died January 13, 1877 ; Eliza Fran- 
ces, born December 26, 1871 ; Laura May, 
born January 2, 1873, died January 19,1877 ; 
George Edwin, born March 9, 1879, and 
Anna Lolah, born April 4, 1884. Mr. At- 
wood's father was born in New Hampshire, 
October 31, 1811. 

William Roddle is a native of England, 
born June 2, 1822, and came to America in 
1840, first locating in Cayuga County, N. Y., 
From there he moved to Onondaga County, 
and finally to Tompkins County, in the same 
State. In 1844 he journe^'ed to Ohio, and 
from there subsequently to Kenosha County, 
Wis., where he remained imtil the fall of 
1860, when he came to this county, and pur- 
chasing a farm on section 12 in this township, 
took up his residence in the village of Wilton, 
where he now lives. His place contains 120 • 
acres of finely cultivated land. In 1849, at 
Bristol, Wis., Mr. Roddle and Mary Green 
were united in marriage, and they wei'e the 
pai'ents of three children : William Henry, 
born December 28, 1850 ; B. F., born April 
9, 1854, and Ella, born January 12, 1863. Mrs. 
Roddle died at Wilton, June 19, 1876. De- 
cember 17, 1879, Mr. Roddle and Emily A. 
Loder were united in marriage. She was 
born in Fond du Lac County, Wis., October 
26, 1852. Her father, John W. Loder, enlist- 
ed in the army and died in the service of his 
country, in 1862 ; her mother is still living. 
Her brother, S. T., died in Steele County, 
Minn., May 17, 1864. 

George T. Dunn, proprietor of the River 
Side farm, was born in Cattaraugus County, 
N. Y., February 7, 1845, and removed with 
his parents to Illinois in 1856, where he was 
engaged in farming. In 1867 he removed to 
Waseca County, Minn. In the year 1881 



550 



HISTOKY OF WASECA OOUKTY. 



purchased his present farm of four hundred 
acres in sections 26 and 27, town of Wilton. 
Mr. Dunn is giving particular attention to 
raising Norman Perciieron horses, cattle and 
grain. His fann is well adapted to stock- 
raising, being located directly on the banks 
of Le Sueur River. Mr. Dunn's father, 
Thomas Dunn, was born in Dumfrieshire, 
Scotland, March S, 1813, and emigrated to 
America in the year 1839. He died in Lee 
County, III, September, 1862. Isabell Dunn, 
the mother of George T. and wife of Thomas 
Dunn, was born also in Dumfrieshire, Scot- 
land, June 25, 1812, and is still living, a 
member of Cleo. T. Dunn's family. 

FIRST ITEMS. 

The first birth in the township of "Wilton 
was that of a child of Mr. and Mrs. Pium- 
mer, born in July, 1855. 

The first death was that of a child of 
"William "Wells, that departed this life in the 
summer of 1856. 

The first marriage was that of James E. 
Child and Justina Krassin, April 19, 1856, 
John Jenkins, justice of the peace, perform- 
ing the ceremony. 

The first ground was broken by Asa G. 
Sutlief, who planted the first grain. 

The first sawmill put up in the county was 
probably that of Col. J. C. Ide and others, 
which was hardl}^ a success. 

The pioneer religious meeting was held in 
1856 at the house of C. Northup, a Rev. 
Mr. Hicks conducting the services. 

The first schoolhouse was erected in 1858, 
at "Wilton, and Miss Angeline Krider was 
the pioneer teacher. 

ORGANIC. 

The first town meeting was held, as the 
records state, on the 11th of May, 1858, at 
the house of Joseph Doty. The assembly 
was called to order, with P. C. Bailey in the 
chair. The object of the meeting being- 
stated, Buel "Welsh was made modei-ator and 
T. L. Paige, clerk. On motion of A. J. 
"Woodbury, the name of the township was 



made that of "Wilton, and the following of- 
ficers chosen : "W. "W. Robinson, chairman, 
John Brand and A. J. "Woodbury, super- 
visors ; Tarrant Putnam, town clerk and col- 
lector ; L. Curtis, assessor ; J. B. Jackson 
and P. C. Bailey, justices of the peace ; A. 
Miller, overseer of the poor, and P. Van 
Dyke and L. Curtis, constables. The present 
officers of the town are as follows : G. Geher- 
ing, chairman, T. Bardon and A. Schulz, 
supervisors ; "William Brisbane, clerk ; Thos. 
Bowers, treasurer; Henry Buck, assessor; 
William Bi-isbane, justice of the peace. 

The Roman Catholics liave a church edifice 
on the southwest corner of section 31, which 
was erected by that denomination in 1881. 
Rev. Robert Hughes is the pastor here and 
attends to the spiritual wants of more than 
sixty families, or 350 members. The con- 
gregation live in all four townships, the 
church standing at the corner where Byron, 
Vivian, Freedom and Wilton join. 

VILLAGE OF WILTON. 

In the autumn of 1855 a village plat was 
surveyed and laid out by A. B. Cornell, 
J. H. Abbott and W. F. Pettit, of Owatonna, 
and James E. Child, John Jenkins and D. J. 
Jenkins, of this county. Shortl}' after, James 
Child and John Jenkins gave up their claim 
to the town site and others took their place. 
Says a local writer in speaking of these days, 
of which he is fully cognizant : 

"During the winters of 1855 and 1856, 
the first claim jumping commenced. The 
avarice of some of the town proprietors, and 
the land and town site fever of tliat time, 
caused some unprincijDled ones to trespass 
upon the just rights of some of the early set- 
tlers, and caused such a feeling of opposition 
to the town of Wilton, that for the first year 
after it was laid out, no building was com- 
pleted. 

" Like all other towns of that day, it was 
expected, like Jonah's gourd, to grow in a 
day, but unfortunately the prime movers of 
the enterprise so managed their affairs that 



HISTORY OF WASECA COTTN'fY. 



551 



the people of the county, even up to the 
boundary line of the village plat, refused to 
countenance the building of the new city, 
and even Avent so far as to oppose the erec- 
tion of buildings on the town plat by force 
and arms. 

" In the month of April, 1856, several 
house bodies made of logs, found standing 
in the village, were discovered one Sunday 
morning and razed to the ground. As to who 
did the evil deed, probably no one knows ex- 
cept those engaged in it. This occurrence, 
and the general opposition to the persons 
having control of the village, by the sur- 
rounding settlers, prevented any further 
growth during the summer." 

In the fall of 1856, John C. Lie and A. B. 
Cornell brought in a sawmill, and Mr. Ide 
becoming part owner of tlie town site, the 
difficulties between the proprietors and the 
settlers were adjusted and during that win- 
ter the place began to grow. During the 
coldest weather stores, shops, hotels and 
residences were put up, so that by spring it 
had the appearance of a verj^ fair village. 

Among those who came to the infant vil- 
lage during this year, 1857, may be men- 
tioned the following: Buel "Welsh, Alva B. 
Hough, A. T. Peck, Micajah C. Wright, 
Owen C. "Waters, "W. B. Burbank, L. Curtiss, 
Lorenzo P. Stowell, Alva C. "Walker, Smith 
Lapham, Newell Morse, A. B. "Wattles, E. 
F. Lawton, Byron F. Clarke, H. P. West, 
Asa Wait, George W. Watkins and others. 

Buel Welsh, came to the State in 1855, 
and located at Faribault, pursuing his trade 
of carpenter. He came there from Wiscon- 
sin. In the fall of 1856, he removed to Wil- 
ton, where he remained for many years. He 
was a kind-hearted man of but little educa- 
tion, but had picked up considerable knowl- 
edge of law and other subjects, and had 
practiced for about twenty-five years in the 
various justices' courts. On Saturday, April 
24, 1886, he fell dead in a neighbor's wagon, 
while going from Alma City to his home in 
Freedom Township. 



Dr. M. S. Gove, one of the pioneer physi- 
cians, came to Wilton in 1858, from his 
native State, "Vermont, and remained in 
practice in Waseca County until December 
1, 1874, when he passed to " that land from 
whose bourne no traveler ever returns," in 
the very prime of life. 

A. J. Woodbury came to Wilton in 1856 
and put up a hotel which he called the Wash- 
ington. This place he ran for man^' years, 
up to 1882, except some six or eight months 
when it was rented and operated by Joseph 
Doty. He is a native of Beverley, Mass., 
born in 1808. In 1855, he came west, after 
having been to Texas, New Orleans, etc., 
and in the spring of 1856 came to Wilton as 
alreadj' detailed. About 1830 he married 
Elizabeth Stratton, by whom he had two 
children : Henry C. and George H. both of 
whom came with their father. All three 
have been identified with the history of the 
county since. George H., however, is now a 
resident of Jamestown, D. T. Henry C. is 
the municipal judge of the city of Waseca, 
and his father, A. J. lives in the same city. 

Another hotel, afterward called the Globe 
was put up and run by E. A. Eice, about 
this same time. Welsh and Smith were the 
next proprietors of the tavern, and were 
then succeeded by Tyrrell. Hall, Long and 
Gray all in turn played the part of host in 
this hotel, which was one of the institutions 
of Wilton, but, alas, the old building stands 
in forlorn loneliness, in the almost deserted 
village. 

The first store was opened by Paige & 
Baker, in a small log shanty, in the winter of 
1855-6. They came here about this time 
from Oswego, N. Y. Thomas L. Paige 
acted as the first clerk of the court, but 
about 1858 sold out and I'eturned to York 
State. His partner, Nathan Duane Baker, 
stayed but little longer, when he, too, re- 
turned east. Both are now among the dead. 

About the same time a Scotchman, by the 
name of McLauren, built a one-story store, 
and opened a saloon and grocery establish- 



552 



HISTORY OF WASECA ConNTT. 



ment. John C. Hunter who came to Wilton 
about this time, afterward was in partner- 
ship with him. They sold out to Isaac Ham- 
lin, who ran it until the war broke out. 

A. E. Smith put up a store building next, 
and opened a stock of general merchandise. 
This store was afterward run by Luther & 
Chase. 

N. E. Strong ran a drug store here in an 
early day, as did J. D. Andrews. 

P. C. Bailey opened up in the hardware 
business in 1857, and ran the same for some 
years alone, when J. H. "Wightman went in 
with him, but his interest was finalh* pur- 
chased by George Watkins, and the firm 
of Bailey & "Watkins formed. This was 
afterward moved to Waseca, where it is con- 
tinued to-day. 

J. W. Johnson & Co. opened a store here 
about 1858, which continued for many years 
and finally removed to Waseca. 

J. W. Clapp in the fall of 1857 put in a 
stock of goods, but within a year sold out 
and quit. 

John C. Hunter was in business here, also, 
in 1858. 

The first blacksmith shop was put up and 
operated by H. P. Norton, in 1856. 

The first wagon maker was A. T. Peck, 
who commenced business here in the spring 
of 1857. 

Many other stores were started after that, 
many changes were made in the ownership 
of those mentioned, but to-day there is not 
one store left. At one time there were some 
twenty stores and saloons in the place, but 
the glory of the place has departed. On the 
foundation of the city of Waseca, many of* 
the inhabitants of Wilton removed thither, 



and when the seat of justice was transferred 
to the former place, the rest of the merchants 
moved there too, and the village of Wilton 
relapsed into an apathy that is premonit.ory 
of its real demise. Silence reigns in its 
streets where once resounded the noise of 
busy commerce, and desolation broods over it. 

A Masonic lodge was organized at the 
village of Wilton under dispensation granted 
June 1, 1857, with the following officers : 
Jesse I. Stewart, W. M.; J. C. Ide, S. W.; H. 
P. Norton, J. W.; E. A. Bice, T.; H. S. 
Edmondson, S.;T. L. Paige, S.D.;Buel Welsh, 
J. I), and John Magill, Tyler. For the after 
history of this lodge in full detail the reader 
is referred to the annals of Alma City, where 
it was transferred, under dispensation, No- 
vember 21, 1883, and where it now is located. 
It is one of the oldest lodges in the State, 
being known as Wilton, No. 24. 

Waseca Lodge No. 17, Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, was organized atW ilton, in 
1866 or 1867, and continued for many years. 
In 1883 it was consolidated with Comee 
Lodge of Waseca, most of the members hav- 
ing removed thither. 

The first bridge built in the county was 
put up by James E. and S. P. Child, in this 
township, for which they received the enor- 
mous sum of $5, and it was not much of a 
bridge, either. 

About the year 1862, a Presbyterian 
Church was organized, and lingered along for 
several years, when it naturally died out. 
Rev. William McClelland was the last 
pastor. 

The Methodists and Baptists both have 
houses of worship in the village, and both 
hold services therein. 





(deceased) 



CHAPTER XVII. 




ST. MAEY TOWNSHIP. 



HE subdivision of the county 
bearing the appellation of St. 
Mary embraces all of congress- 
ional township 107 north of range 
23 west, and contains about 
33,000 acres of fine land. Some 
of the best arable soil in this 
county is found here. The sur- 
face of the country is gently 
undulating, some of the swells 
rising almost to the altitude of 
hills, but the long and gentle slope destroy- 
ing any idea of height. 

This township is well watered, the Le 
Sueur River entering it on the southern line 
of section 36, and in its westward course ti'av- 
ersing sections 26, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 36, 
and this with its affluent, a creek having its 
source on sections 16 and 22, afford ample 
drainage to this territory. The soil is a 
rich, black loam that is unexcelled for fertil- 
ity and productiveness. Small grain, corn 
and vegetables bear an uncommon yield, and 
the native indigenous grasses on the un- 
broken sod affoi'ds pasturage for the many 
herds of cattle. The people of St. Mary are 
entirely agricultural, there being no village 
within its limits, although the north half of it 
is traversed by the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The pioneer settlers of the j^recinct of St. 
Mary came here in the spring and summer 
of 1855, and were : Abraham and Joseph 
Bird, John White, Gottlieb Sr., Martin and 
John Fred Krassin, Fred Prechel, Bernard 
Gregory and Fred Wubschall. Of these, 
Abraham Bird died here February 12, 1869 ; 

33 566 



Joseph removed to far away Oregon ; Martin 
and Gottlieb Krassin Sr., have " crossed tlie 
dark river to a better land beyond ; " Ber- 
nard Gregory passed away also about the 
year 1877, and John White is now a 
resident of Iosco Township. All these old 
settlers have been mentioned at length al- 
ready in the chapter on the early settlement 
of the county. 

Gottlieb and Fred. Prechel and Fred. Wub- 
schall are still residents of the township. 

John Bailey came to this precinct in 1856, 
and located for a time, but, with Mr. Cham- 
berlain, purchased the town site of St. Mary, 
and was for some time connected with the 
growth of that place as well as interested in 
the mill. He is now a resident of Medford, 
Steele County, and a biographical sketch of 
him will be found in that department of this 
volume. 

Christian and Gottlieb Krassin Jr. came 
here in the summer of 1856. Christian died 
here April 22, 1876 ; Gottlieb is still a resident 
of the township. 

Johan Gottlieb Krassin is a son of Gottlieb 
Krassin Jr. and Augusta (Sommer) Krassin, 
his wife, who were among the earliest settlers 
in Waseca County. Johan Gottlieb Krassin 
was born in Marquette County, Wis., Sep. 
tember 6, 1855, and came to Waseca County 
an infant in his mother's arms. The family 
have been largely identified with the growth 
of St. Mary Township, and are extensive 
farmers and stock-raisei-s. Gottlieb Krassin 
is as yet unmarried. He owns some 480 
acres of land, and cultivates a large share of 
it. He is engaged also in raising short-horn 
Durham cattle, and Norman Pei-cheron 
horses. His farm, of which he is justly 



556 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtrNTT. 



proud, is located on section 27. In 1880 Mr. 
Krassin was elected to the office of scliool 
director, and held tiie same for three years. 
He is a Democrat in politics, and in religion 
a member of the Lutheran Church. 

John Woixlen came to this precinct also 
in 1856, purchasing a farm, where he lived 
for a few years. He sold out here finally 
and removed to Iosco, where he bought a 
place and lived until death called him away. 
His son, Henry, is now a resident of Iosco. 

Joseph Mantie was among the earliest set- 
tlers of St. Mary, coming here August 5, 1856, 
and settling on section 27, where he now 
lives. He is a native of Prussia, and came to 
tiie United States in the year 1853, first lo- 
cating at Princeton, Wis., where he followed 
tiie blacksmith trade, after which he came to 
Waseca County, wliere he did the first work 
in that line within its limits. In December, 

1855, he was united in marriage with Minnie 
Krassin, daughter of Gottlieb and Augusta 
Krassin, a native of Prussia, born March 29, 
1841. They are the parents of nme children: 
Samuel, married to Matilda Buke, a native 
of Prussia, July i, 1 883 ; Henrj', John, Will- 
iam, Frank, Mena, married Frank Zickerick, 
June 2 1879; Melia, married Fred King, 
October 3, 1883 ; Emma; and Elizabeth mar- 
ried Amel Martin, November 16, 1886. Mr. 
Mantie is a Republican, has held many town- 
ship and school district offices, and is one of 
the representative men of the township. He 
is a member of the Catholic Church. 

John Jordan came to this town in the year 

1856, and located on section 16, where he 
has since resided. He was born in Ireland, 
June 4, 1835, and is the son of James and Mary 
(Malia) Jordan. His parents raised a family 
of seven children : Michael, Martin, Mary, 
John, Ann, Austin and Thomas, all of whom 
are living but one. The family came to 
America in 1849, landing at St. Johns, N. B., 
but after a short staj' there, moved to Clin- 
tonville, Mass., where they remained one 
year. Their next place of residence was in 
New York State, where they dwelt some 



seven years. Both of the old people are 
now dead. John Jordan was engaged in 
running a canal boat in New York for a few 
years, and then came to Waseca County. 
He is a Democrat in politics and a Catholic 
in religion. 

Anthony Gorman was also a settler of the 
year 1856 in this township. He is a native 
of Ireland, and is the son of Charles and 
Mary Gorman, both of whom are now dead. 
They were the parents of nine children, five 
boys and four girls. Anthony Gorman came 
to the United States in 1848, landing in New 
York City. From there he went to Orange 
County, in the same State, and remained there 
a short time, when he went to Illinois ; but a 
few months later came to Minnesota, stop- 
ping a short time in Wabasha County ; from 
there to Hastings and then to St. Mary in 
1856. He located on section 28, where he 
has since resided. He is a single mail, a 
Democrat in politics, and a member of the 
Catholic Church. He has held the office of 
chairman of tlie town board for ten years, 
justice of the peace for nine years, and other 
town offices, and is a representative man 
of the township. 

Michael McGonagie, one of the pioneers 
of the year 1856, still resides on the old 
homestead established b}^ him in those early 
daj's. He is a native of Ireland, born Sep- 
tember 10, 1825, and is the son of Neil and 
Mary (O'Donnell) McGonagie, who had three 
children : Hugh, Michael and Neil. The 
subject of this sketch has one of the finest 
places in Waseca County, on section 15, 
where lie follows genei-al farming and stock- 
raising. October 10, 1855, he and Margeret 
Gill, the latter a native of Ireland, were 
united in marriage and they have been the 
parents of nine children : Michael, Mary 
Ann, Katie, Neil, Maggie, Hugh, John, Will- 
iam and Lizzie. Michael was married to 
Bridget McBride, a native of Ireland, in 
1881, and they have five children ; Maggie 
was married in 1886 to Daniel Murray, of 
Iosco, and Hugh was married in April, 1887, 



HISTOEY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



557 



to Katie Kelley and lives on section 16, this 
township. Mr. McGonagle is a Democrat 
in politics and has held some of the more 
important oflSces connected with the educa- 
tional department of the town government, 
and is a representative man of this part of 
the county. He is a member of the Catholic 
Church. 

George H. Reibeling Sr. came to this 
township in 1S56, and settled on section 10, 
where he died, aijd where the family still 
reside. G. H. Keibehng is a native of Ger- 
man}', born November 18, 1854, and is the 
son of George H. and Eliza (Nebhul) Eeib- 
eling, natives of the same empire, who had 
a famil}' of eight children : May, Anna, 
George H., Caroline, Theodore, Katie, Cor- 
nelius and Laura. Caroline died June 26, 
1865, and Laura May the 31st of July, 1866. 
The family came to this county in 1856. 
The elder Mr. Keibeling died and the mother 
was again married November 20, 1867, to 
William Harding, and is the mother of three 
more children : William, Everhardt and Isa- 
bella, all living at home on section 10, this 
township. George H. is a single man and 
own 120 acres of land on the same section. 
He is a Republican in politics. 

Holder S. Loveland, in 1856, made a settle- 
ment on part of section 25. He afterward 
sold out the farm which he had taken and re- 
moved from the count}'. His son George 
was in the army during the late rebellion, 
and died September 29, 1863, at Black River 
bridge. 

Charles W. Johnston and family were 
among the pioneers of the year 1857. 

Mrs. Jane C. Johnston is the daughter of 
Samuel and Louisa (Clark) Scrilmer, the 
former a native of Washington County, N. 
H., and the latter of Orange County, Vt. 
They had a family of five children, as fol- 
lows : Charles, who married Emma Horn, 
in 1855, living at Lowell, Mass.; George F., 
who married Abbie Chapman, now living in 
Massachusetts; Alzoa married S. D. Oster- 
hout, living at Lowell, Mass.; Mary A. and 



Jane C. The latter was born at Chelsea, 
Vt., February 5, 1833, and was united in 
marriage April 5, 1857, with Charles W. 
Johnston, a native of Montpelier, Vt., born 
March 9th, 1834. They were the par- 
ents of five children : Nellie M. L., born 
August 7, 1858; Alma S., May 22, 1860; 
Charles F., April 17, 1863 ; Willard C, June 
29, 1866, and George S., May 28, 1869. 
Charles F. died Mai;ch 25 and George March 
31, 1873, of scarlet fever and diphtheria, and 
are buried in Waseca cemetery. Mrs. John- 
ston and her family came here in 1857 and 
settled on the place on section 13 where she 
now lives. Her son Willard carries on the 
farm. 

August Priebe was born in St. Mary Town- 
ship, Waseca Count}', July 31, 1864, and is 
the son of John and Caroline (Vondrie) 
Priebe, natives of Prussia, who came to this 
county in an early day, being among the first 
settlers of St. Mary. John Priebe was a 
farmer and settled on section 10, where he 
died August 25, 1872; his wife died in 1880 ; 
both are buried in Iosco Township. August 
commenced life for himself on his farm on 
section 10 in the spring of 1887, he having 
282 acres from his father's estate, where he 
carries on farming and stock-raising. June 
16, 1887, he was United in marriage with 
Molvena Krienke, also a native of this county, 
Ijorn September 7, 1868, and a daughter of 
August and Henrietta Krienke, farmers in 
this town. August Priebe has a sister and 
a brother living ; Amelia, the sister, is the 
wife of Julius Mittelstadt ; married April 4, 
1883; lives in losca ; the brother, WilMam, 
works for August. August and his wife are 
members of the German Lutheran Church. 

OTHEKS. 

The following are a few more of the lead- 
ing representative people of St. Mary Town- 
ship who deserve a place in history : 

S. S. Phelps (deceased), was a native of 
the State of New York, and was born April 
5, 1840. He was the son of John and Nancy 



558 



HISTOET OF WASECA COUNTY. 



(Woodruff) Phelps, the former a native of 
Connecticut, the latter of New Yorli. John 
Phelps was a farmer all his life, and died in 
1877; the mother still survives. They raised 
a family of four children, three boys and one 
girl, in the spring of ISfiS S. S. Phelps 
came to Waseca County from Portage 
Count}', Wis., and purchased a farm on sec- 
tion 11, St. Mary Township, where his fam- 
ily reside, but that year spent part of the 
time in Owatonna and the balance in Por- 
tage County, whither he had returned. In 
the spring of 1866 he built a house on this 
place on the site of the present splendid man- 
sion. The first house was but 12x14 feet in 
size, and in this the family lived, two small 
additions being built in the meantime, until 
their new residence was built. This latter 
was erected by Mr. Phelps during the year 
1869, and is one of the finest in the county, 
having cost $11,000. It is a brick-veneered 
structure, 40x47 feet on the ground, two 
stories and a half with the foundation and 
trimmings of cut Kasota stone, and is fitted 
with all the modern conveniences. The 
same year he put up a residence on a place 
he owned in Blue Earth County, near Eagle 
Lake, at a cost of $1,400 and another near 
Janesville at a cost of $1,000. Mr. Phelps 
was a large land-holder, at one time owning 
some 2,200 acres of land in this and Blue 
Earth Counties. In 1867 when the railroad 
had reached Waseca, Mr. Phelps took a con- 
tract to haul all the freight from that point 
to St. Peter, Mankato and New Ulm, and 
this he held until the road had reached those 
points, having from four to ten teams en- 
ffat'ed. He had also a contract with the 
railroad company to distribute ties along the 
roadbed from Waseca to Janesville. In 
1869 he entered into a contract with the rail- 
road company to furnish them with 60,000 
cords of wood, and purchased machinery to 
saw it with, which business he pursued for 
seven years. He fitted up seven small saws 
run by horse power and one large one which 
cost $1,200, run bv steam. These with the 



boarding car were arranged to move along 
the track and operated all the way from 
Madison, Wis., to St. Peter and New Ulm. 
After his large expense tiie company began 
burning coal, so that Mr. Phelps sustained 
heavy losses, having to sell his machinery at 
a great sacrifice. Mr. Phelps was one of the 
enterprising men that have so materially 
helped to build up Waseca County, and a 
man that united great energy of character 
with rare business ability. October 13, 
1861, Mr. Phelps and Elspa Sutherland were 
united in marriage. She is a native of New 
Brunswick, born July 8, 1842. They were 
the parents of six children : Ellen E., born 
February 15,1864; Nancy H., born April 5, 
1868: Sethie J., born December 31, 1870; 
George P., born January 8, 1873; Jessie E., 
born February 4, 1875, and Joseph D., born 
June 27, 1877. Sethie died October 16, 
1880. Ellen married Carl S. Fitch, Decem- 
ber 31, 1885, and is living in Dakota. All 
the rest of the family are at home with their 
mother. Mr. Phelps met his death on the 
evening of the 11th of March, 1884, while 
crossing the railroad track about a mile west 
of Waseca. He was driving his team home, 
and while on the track was struck by the 
engine and instantly killed. His body lies 
in Waseca cemetery. Thus was cut off in 
the prime of life one of the most active busi- 
ness men of this county. A portrait of Mr. 
Phelps will be found elsewhere in this vol- 
ume. 

Daniel T. Ballard Avas born in England, 
October 16, 1839, and is the son of Samuel 
and Mary (Ashb}') Ballard, who had a fami- 
ly of five children : Ann Eliza beth, Elizabeth, 
Isaac, John, and Daniel T. The last named 
came to the United States in 1856, with two 
brothers, landing in New York City, and 
worked in Crawford County, Pa., farming 
in the summer, and in the winter following, 
doing chores for his board, and went to 
school. The next summer he went to Ohio, 
but in that fall came to Waseca County. 
This was in 1858. He located at fii'st in 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



559 



Iosco. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted in 
Company F, Eig-hth Minnesota, but was dis- 
charged the same year at Fort Snelling. He 
then went to Dakota Countj% this State, 
where he lived three years, and from there 
he returned to Iosco Township, Waseca 
County. In May, 1866, lie and D. A. Erwin 
started for Montana with ox teams, and joined 
a train going that direction, which consisted 
of fifty-three wagons and about three hun- 
dred persons. He returned in November, 
1872, to this county, where he has since re- 
mained. June 17, 1873, he was united in 
marriage with Josephine Brossard, a native 
of Wisconsin. They are the parents of three 
children : Sylvester E., born February 22, 
1874 ; Ida B., born April 26, 1883, and Wes- 
ley E., born February 26, 1885. Mr. Bal- 
lard is a Republican in politics. 

Isaac Ballard came to Waseca County in 
1856. First located in Iosco, where he re- 
mained for about ten years. Then purchased 
a farm on section 1, St. Mary, where he still 
lives. Mr. Ballard is a native of England, 
born December 16, 1834, where he lived un- 
til 22 years of age, and then sailed for 
America. His first stop was in Pennsylvania, 
where he remained but a short time, and 
then came on to Illinois, where he remained 
but a few weeks, and then came to Waseca 
County, in the fall of 1856. On October 6, 
1864, was united in marriage to Carrie Er- 
win, daughter of P. A. and Jane Erwin, 
natives of New York State. She was born 
January 11, 1836. They are the parents of 
eight chilch'en : Arthur, Clifton, Carrie, Wal- 
ter, Marshall, Sidney and Maud. Six are 
still at home, one, Arthur, in Minneapolis 
working for a glass firm. Mr. Ballard is a 
Republican in politics. He also is a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 

Hans Paulson came to AYaseca County in 
the spring of 1869, and at that time pur- 
chased 160 acres of land in this township, to 
which he has added eighty acres, now hav- 
ing 240 acres on section 11. He gives his 
attention to genei'al farming and raising 



short-horn cattle and blooded horses. He is 
■a native of Norway, born January 27, 1833. 
His father and family came to the United 
States in 1868, and located in Fillmore 
County, this State, where he died at the age 
of seventy years. Hans came to this coun- 
try in 1856, and for four years thereafter 
was a resident of Iowa. He then removed 
to Fillraofe County, Minn., where he lived 
until coming here in 1869. April 5, 1862, 
he was united in marriage with Osse Fin- 
gerson, a native of Norway, boi'ii February 
16, 1845. Iler parents came to the United 
States in 1852, and settled in Wisconsin. In 
a few years they removed to Fillmore Coun- 
ty, Minn., and in 1865. to Waseca County, 
locating in Blooming Grove, where her fath- 
er remained until his death in 1873. The 
mother is still a resident of the same town. 
Mr. and Mrs. Paulson have a family of eight 
children : C. William, Alfred, Oliver, Aus- 
tin, Eddie, Carl, Anna and Tilda. Mr. 
Paulson and family are members of the 
Lutheran Church. 

William Mittelsteadt, is an enterprising 
farmer on section 9, where he carries on 
quite an extensive business in general farm- 
ing and stock-raising. He came to Waseca 
County in 1867, settling where he now lives. 
He is a native of Prussia, born February 15, 
1848, and is the son of Gottfried and Gus- 
tiva Mittelsteadt, who were the parents of 
eight children, seven boys and one girl. 
Gottfried died in the old country. William 
came to the United States in 1867, and came 
directly here, as already detailed, his mother, 
who lives with him, coming in his companj'. 
Mr. Mittelsteadt has been thrice married. 
December 26, 1872, he was united in mar- 
riage with Caroline Priebe, born in Prussia, 
in 1848, and who died June 19, 1880, leaving 
two children : Gustof, born December 12, 
1876, and Emma, born December 7, 1878. 
January 13, 1881, he was married to Augusta 
Fisher, a native of Prussia, who died March 
20, 1884, leaving one child, Martha, born 
Mav 11, 1883. He was married to Willimena 



560 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Leeck, September 12, 1884, and they are the 
parents of three children : Freddie, born 
June 12, 1885 ; Eddie, born June 8, 1886, 
and Herman, born August 18, 1887. Mr. 
Mittelsteadt is a Republican in politics, 
and has held the office of town supervisor 
for three terms. 

Charles Gorman is a native of Ireland, 
born May 11, 1836, and lived in that country 
until 1852, when he came to the United 
States. Landing in Boston he proceeded to 
Dutchess County, N. Y., where he remained 
some three yeai'S, after which he came to 
Aurora, 111., and made that his home for 
about one year. He then came to Winona 
County, Minn., where he made a stay of 
about three years, when he went to Mem- 
phis, Tenn., and remained until 1861. He 
again came to Minnesota, locating in Waseca 
County, purchasing a farm in St. Mary 
Township, where he has since made his home 
and it is a most pleasant one. Mr. Gorman 
has a fine farm on section 20, with good 
buildings, and his land in a high state of cul- 
tivation. May 12, 186i, he was united in 
marriage to Bridget McNickle, also a native 
of Ireland, who died October 10, 1869. She 
was mother of three children, all of whom 
died in infancy. He was married again Oc- 
tober 10, 1876, to Catherine Gallagher, a 
native of Ireland. She is also deceased. 
They had a family of eight children : Mary, 
Bridget, Winford, Johannah, Thomas and 
Anthony, and two died in infancy. Mr. 
Gorman is a Democrat in politics, and be- 
longs to the Catholic Church with his fam- 

iiy. 

D. A. Erwin, who resides on section 2, where 
he has a fine farm, was born August 4, 1839, 
in New York State, and is the son of P. A. and 
Jane Erwin, tlie former a native of Vermont, 
the latter of Ireland. Mr. Erwin the elder 
was born in 1797, and was in the service of 
his country during the war with Great 
Britain in 1812-15, and is stiU living in this 
county with his son, D. A. Mrs. Jane Erwin 
died here in September, 1867. In Septem- 



ber 1862, D. A. Erwin enlisted in Company 
D, Ninety-eighth New York Infantry, and 
served until May, 1863, when he was dis- 
charged for disability. He then returned to 
New York State and engaged in farming 
for about a year, when he came west to 
Waseca County in 1864, joining his parents, 
who had located here about a 3'ear previous. 
In 1865 the gold fever seized upon Mr. Erwin 
and he crossed the plains to Montana, in 
search of the precious metal ; but fortune 
proving but a fickle goddess, was not propi- 
tious, and after three years' efforts there 
he returned to this county, where he has 
made his home ever since. He was united 
in marriage with Orrilla Ketcham, a native of 
Wisconsin, and they have been the parents of 
seven children : Sidney, born September 15, 
1871, died October 11, 1873; Claude, born 
March 26, 1873; Stanley, born May 1, 1875; 
Grant, April 26, 1877 ; Eoland, January 27, 
1879; Eugene, January 17, 1882, and an 
infant boy, born November 29, 1886, not 
named. In politics Mr. Erwin aflfiliates 
with the Republican party. 

Patrick Farley, a leading farmer and stock- 
I'aiser, living on section 2, where he has 160 
acres of fine land, is a native of Ireland, and 
was born March 16, 1836. He is the son of 
Thomas and Mary (Garrett) Farley. His 
mother died in 1847, leaving a family of 
eight children, five boys and three girls. 
Patrick came to America in 1855, and for 
the first year lived at Albany, N. Y. From 
there he moved to Wisconsin, where he re- 
mained until 1865, when he came to Waseca 
County, first locating in Alton Township. 
He lived there for twenty-one years, but 
in the spring of 1887 came to St. Mary, 
and bought his present place of E. Bros- 
sard. February 2, 1870, he was married to 
Mary Ann Hagearty, a native of Wiscon- 
sin, ])orn in November, 1848, and a daughter 
of Richard and Mar}^ Hagearty, the former 
a native of Ireland, the latter of Massachu- 
setts. Mr. and Mrs. Farley are the parents 
of eight children : Emma May, born Novem- 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



561 



ber 26, 1870 ; Thomas P., born December 9, 
1873 ; William H., November 24, 1875 ; Ed- 
ward, January 5, 1877 ; Nellie J., August 5, 
1879 ; Katie, August 6,1882; James, De- 
cember, 1884, and Sarah, January 5, 1887. 
Mr. Farley is a Democrat politically, and 
the family are members of the Catholic 
Church. 

Julius Papke, a prominent farmer and 
stock-raiser, living on section 26, this town- 
ship, was born in Prussia, September 1, 1838. 
He is a son of Michael and Ellaura (Block) 
Papke, who had but two children. Julius 
came to the United States m 1861, and for 
four years lived in Wisconsin, and then came 
to this county, locating on the section where 
he now lives. February 15, 1857, he and 
Eliza Boscho were united in marriage. She 
was born in Prussia, December 19, 1837. 
They are the parents of eleven children : 
Adolph, Melia, Augusta, Fred, John, Julius, 
Sarah, Mary, Edward, Lewis and Elia. 
Adolph married Maggie Criptner, December 
22, 1884, and lives in Blooming Grove ; Melia 
married A. A. Robinson, December 1, 1884, 
and lives in Freel^orn County, this State, and 
Augusta married Lewis Priebe, February 12, 
1885, and lives in Woodville. Mr. Papke 
was elected township assessor in 1882 and 
held that office for two years. Is school 
director for district No. 44, and has held 
that position since 1881, a,nd has been school 
treasurer and clerk of the same district. 

Michael Gallagher was born in Marquette 
County, Wis., February 22, 1858, and 
is the son of Michael and Maria (Foley) 
Gallagher, both natives of Ireland. His 
parents came to America in 1847, and re- 
mained for the first seven years in New York 
State, and then moved to Marquette County, 
Wis. They remained there until 1863, when 
they came to Waseca County and the 1st of 
July located upon the northwest quarter of 
section 22, where the elder Mr. Gallagher 
followed farming until 1886, when he re- 
moved to the city of Waseca, where he now 
lives a retired life. He and his wife had a 



family of six children : Bernard, Eose Ann, 
John, Michael, Maria and Celia. The last 
named was burned to death when eleven 
years old, at the time her father's house was 
destroyed by fire ; the rest of the children 
are married. In 1886 Michael began life for 
himself, farming on the old homestead, hav- 
ing been married on the 20th of October, 
1886, to Ellen Lynch, a native of this county, 
born January 16. 1861. Her family were 
among the first settlers of this township and 
county. They are both members of the 
Catholic Church. 

Poger Geraghty, one of the prominent and 
representative citizens of St. Mary, is a native 
of Ireland, born July 4, 1833, and is the son 
of Peter and Mary Geraghty, both natives 
of Ireland. The latter raised a family of six 
children, named as follows : Poger, Thomas, 
Peter, Mary, Bridget and Julia. During the 
year 1849 Roger Geraghty came to America, 
and for two years remained in Marquette 
County, Wis., whither he had gone on landing. 
From there he went south, where he remained 
until 1865, when he came to Waseca County 
and settled upon the farm on section 32, this 
township, where he now lives. November 
16, 1856, he was united in marriage with 
Catherine Madden, daughter of Thomas and 
Honora Madden, a native of Ireland, born 
August 5, 1833, and who had come to the 
United States in 1849, the same time Mr. 
Geraghty had. Their married life has been 
blessed with a family of five children : Peter, 
Thomas, Mary, Honora and Kate. Peter 
died March 23, 1884, and Kate, March 11, 
1874 ; the rest are living at home. The family 
are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. 
Geraghty is a Democrat in politics and has 
held the offices of town clerk, school clerk 
and treasurer of school district 15. 

HISTORIC CRCMBS. 

The first marriage in the township was at 
the house of Bernard Gregory on the 2d of 
January, 1856. when Louisa Gregory was 
united with Mr. Ballard, of Mankato, in the 
holy bonds['of matrimony. 



562 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



VILLAGE OF ST. MAEY. 



In the montli of February, 1857, a village 
was laid out on the west half of section 33, 
by Chamberlarin. Bailey & Co., which at 
one time was quite an important point, vy- 
ing with Empire and Wilton for the honor 
of being the county seat of AVaseca County, 
in 1857. Patrick McCartliy was the original 
proprietor of the land upon which the village 
was platted, but sold it in May of the above 
year to the firm mentioned. His house was 
the pioneer building of the new town. 

Other settlers who were also among the 
first to locate at the new village may be men- 
tioned : Amos H. Morris, W. H. Chamber- 
lain, John Bailey, George T. White, T. C. 
McClure, James F. Elliott, Edward Lang, G. 
E. Buckman, H. B. Morrison, Harvey Bailey 
Mr. Clark, and Dennis McCarthy. 

Amos H. Morris was a notarj^ public at 
this place in 1857. lie came up here to 
make out papers, bringing his family, but 
only remained three months, going to Has- 
tings, Minn. 

W. H. Chamberlain settled in this village 
in May, 1856. Pie was one of the proprietors 
of the town site. He remained in this place 
for some years. While here his Avife died, 
about 1859 or 1860, and he then sold out and 
moved to New York. 

John Bailej"^ moved here in the spring of 
1857. He is now a resident of Steele County. 

Capt. George T. White was connected with 
the official life of the county, and is noticed 
in that connection in the chapter entitled 
State and County Eepresentation. 

Edward Lang came here from Lowell, 
Mass., and put up a house south of the vil- 
lage, across the river, where he lived about a 
year, and then returned to the "Old Bay 
State." He is remembei-ed bv his by-word, 
"By fire." 

G. E. Buckman is now identified with the 
city of Waseca, and is noticed at length else- 
where. 

Dennis McCarthy was of Irish birth, and 



came to this place and opened a saloon. He 
was in the habit of freely indulging in his 
own whiskey, and making himself obnoxious 
to tiie citizens generally on such occasions. 
One daj' a number of the boys, led by James 
Plummer, took possession of the place, and 
finding about two barrels of " the ardent " 
emptied it upon the ground. The sheriif 
soon arrested about twent\'-five of those im- 
plicated, and they were taken to Wilton for 
trial. The case was adjourned from term to 
term, until in the end Isaac Price, acting as 
their attorney, got them cleared at an ex- 
pense to each one of about seven ty-five cents. 
McCarthy some time previous to this had 
frozen . both his feet, while laboring under 
too great a load of " benzine," and was made 
a cripple for life. 

Whitney AVheeler came to St. Mary about 
1850, and was interested in the sawmill, 
being head sawyer. He died in Wilton about 
1809. He ran a farm wiiile liere, and prac- 
ticed a little as farrier. His widow is still 
a resident of the county. 

Warren Smith was also a new comer of 
the year 1857. He was elected by the peo- 
ple, in after 3' ears, to fill the office of county 
treasurer, and has been already mentioned 
in that connection. 

J. William Jolinson, now of Waseca, set- 
tled in St. Mar}' in 1857, and entered into 
mercantile business with Warren Smith. 
Later they removed to Wilton, where they 
remained in trade until the removal of the 
county-seat to Waseca, when they removed 
to that place. Smith afterward retired 
from business, and the firm now is Johnson 
& Claghorn. 

George Johnson came to this village about 
the same time, with the sawmill of which he 
was part owner. After the establishment of 
Wilton, business declined at this point, and 
he removed to Wilton, where he entered into 
the mercantile business as a member of tlie 
firm of Johnson Brothers & Smith. He died 
at Waseca. 

Charles Hale, A. M. Dickey, N. B. Barron, 



HISTORY OF WASECA CODNTY. 



563 



Charles Davis, Mr. Parker, Mr. Palmer and 
Frank Danforth should also be mentioned 
in connection with the early history of the 
village. 

Soon after the laying out of the village, a 
man by the name of Grossman opened a 
boarding-house, the first house of entertain- 
ment in the place. He ran it but a few 
months, for he died before the settlement of 
the place. His death was caused bj^ expos- 
ure while duck-hunting. 

The first frame building in the village was 
erected by W. H. Chamberlain, in the spring 
of 1857, and is now in the city of Waseca, 
having been removed thither about the year 
1877, and is owned by J. E. Cragin. 

During the fall of 1856 the proprietors of 
the town site started the erection of a saw- 
mill, with which they did sawing all the fol- 
lowing summer, but did not complete until 
the winter of 1857 8. This mill was of great 
utility to all the surrounding country, such 
establishments being rare in southern Min- 
nesota at that date. It was afterward 
moved down to the river, and a shingle and 
flouring mill attached, and continued in oper- 
ation until about 1862 or 1863, when it was 
destroyetl by fire. 

The pioneer store was opened by Warren 
.Smith in 1857 in a building which he erected 
for the purpose, carrying a stock of general 
merchandise. Shortly after this a copart- 
nership was formed between Smith and the 
Johnsons as related elsewhere. This firm 
carried on Imsiness here for a few years and 
then removed to Wilton. 

A man by the name of Wright opened a 
drug store here in the spring of 1857. After 
continuing this business for a few years he 
closed up and removed from the county. 

The first cemetery was laid out by the 
lioman Catholic Church at St. Mary Village 
about the year 1857. 

The first burial was that of Crossman, 
who died about the time of the laying out of 
the cemeter}', from consumption. 

Tlie first religious service was held at the 



house of Latin Fitzgerald by a Catholic priest 
from Mankato, in the year 1857. 

After the location of the seat of justice at 
Wilton, St. Mary ceased to grow and soon it 
began to decay and pass away. Like 
Auburn it soon became a " Deserted Vil- 
lage," and one by one the buildings were 
removed to other places, and on the 5th of 
October, 1873, the site was vacated by a 
decree of the district court and the ground 
reverted to its original condition of farm 
land. 

St. Mary's Catholic Church was organized 
by Rev. Father Kellei-, of Faribault, in the 
year 1856. The first religious services of 
this denomination of Christians, and doubt- 
less the first in the townshi]), were held at 
the dwelling of Andrew Lynch, and after 
that in the schoolhouse in the vicinity. 
The church edifice was erected in 1858, but 
with the lapse of years this building becoming 
too small for the growing congregation, 
they erected a large, fine church in 1880 
at a total cost of $12,000. The building 
was 44x86 feet upon the ground and 26 feet 
high, and was a most beautiful edifice. On 
the afternoon of Sunday, December 20, 
1885, the entire structure was destroyed 
by tire, but very little of its contents 
being saved. A fine statue of St. Joseph, 
presented to the church but two months 
previous by Peter Burns and Christie 
Heiferan, and the figure of the Blessed Vir- 
gin Mary, were taken out of the burning 
building comparatively unhurt. The chalices 
and some of the altar furniture were also 
saved through the instrumentality of Thomas 
Geraghty and James Byron. The church had 
an insurance upon it of $7,000, divided be- 
tween the Continental and Ilekla companies. 
A contract for the rebuilding of the church 
edifice has been let the summer of this year, 
(1887) to J. T. Lee, and a contract for the 
erection of a parsonage to Thomas Flynn. 
Rev. Father R. Hughes is the present pastor 
in charge. The membership embraces about 
420 individuals. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 




IOSCO TOWNSHIP. 



IIEN Waseca County was lirst oi- 
ganized, in 1857, the territory now 
called Iosco was, together with 
about all of Janesville, known 
as the precinct of Empire ; and at 
the first election, which took place 
in June, 1857, the polling place 
was fixed at the hotel of John H. 
Wheeler, in the village of Empire. 
N. E. Strong, C. R. Miller and James Haynes 
were the judges of election. M. S. Green 
was the first justice of the peace. 

At a meeting of the board of county com- 
missioners held April 5, 1858, congressional 
township 108 north, range 23 west, was set 
off and organized into the town of Iosco. 
The place of holding the election was at the 
house of Daniel Tripp, in the village of 
Empire, and H. W. Peck, George L. Leonard 
and David Smith were the election judges. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The pioneer settlers in what is now Iosco 
township, were Luke Osgood, Daniel Mc- 
Daniels and John II. Wheeler. These gentle- 
men came to Waseca County early in the 
summer of 1855. In July of that year Mr. 
Osgood, who had his family with him, erect- 
ed the first shanty in the town. It was 
made of rough logs and covered with shakes ; 
a doorway was cut, but no door was swung 
in the opening, nor were there any Avindows 
or floor. His family resided in this until 
fall, and having lived in a canvas-covered 
wagon, found it a very comfortable change. 
Before cold weather set in, however, he put 
up a better cabin, into which he moved. He 
sold out some years afterward and moved 
back east, where he died about 1SS3. Daniel 



McDaniels removed to the State of Missouri, 
where he is now living. 

John H. Wheeler is a resident of Nebras- 
ka, whither he removed in the year 1886. 
His first settlement was on section 29, and 
there he resided until he sold out, as above 
stated, to Julius Mittelstadt. 

Buell Welsh located in this township in 
August following, but did not remain here 
long, going to St. Mary. 

David Wood was the next to settle here 
after Osgood, McDaniels and Wheeler, com- 
mg here in 1855, and is still a resident of 
section 2, where he first located. 

David Wood was born in Sutherland, 
Scotland, in 1820, and came to America in 
1818, having spent the time up to that period 
in the land of his nativity. He landed at 
Quebec, and from there went through to St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y. During that sum- 
mer he was employed on the American Mail 
Packet Company's steamers, between Og- 
densburg and Lewiston, on Lake Ontario. 
He then journeyed to New Orleans, from 
there he returned to northern country, and 
was employed on the Cleveland & Pittsburg 
Railroad, laying track, and for four years 
was section boss. Taking a contract to 
build some two miles of road on the Pitts- 
burg, Fort AVayne & Chicago Railroad, he 
was seized with the ague and came to Min- 
nesota, locating on the land he now lives on, 
preempting the same. He came all the way 
by ox team, being six weeks on the road. In 
1853 he was united in marriage with Susan 
Somerville, formerly of Virginia, who has 
Ijeen the mother of five children : David 
W., now living at home; Mary Ann, now 
]\Irs. O'Leary, of Waterville ; Victor R. and 



.564 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



565 



Horatio S., both at home, and Alvin, who 
died August 28, 1868. David W. Avas the 
first child born in the township, as is told 
elsewhere. 

Mr. Wood has held the position of chair- 
man of the town supervisors for about 
twenty years, and various school-district 
offices, assisting in organizing the district, 
and has always taken a prominent part in 
the town's historJ^ 

Aaron Hanes came to this county and se- 
lected a claim in 1855. He died here in 1859, 
leaving a wife and four children. James, 
the eldest son, lives in Le Sueur County; 
John died many years ago; the younger girl, 
Charlotte, died about 1884. The other daugh- 
ter, Elizabeth, was married when they came 
here. 

Joseph Madrew also settled here in 1855, 
but did not remain very long, selling his 
claim and returning to "Wisconsin, whence 
he had come. 

Jacob Conrad was a German lad who 
worked for J. H. Wheeler. He took up a 
claim, but in 1858 sold it to J. H. Wheeler, 
and left. His parents resided in Ohio, from 
whence he had come. 

J. W. Hosmer, now of the village of Janes- 
ville, came to Waseca County in 1855 and 
settled in this township, but the following 
year removed to the adjoining township 
west. 

Hubert P. Chamberlain came to Iosco in 
March, 1856, and making a settlement, has 
remained a resitlent ever since. H. P. Cliam 
berlain was born in Sparta, Livingston Coun- 
ty, N. Y., April 13, 1833. His parents emi- 
grated from there to Florence, Erie Count}^ 
Ohio, when he was but a year old. When he 
was but nine years of age he started for 
himself. He worked out by the month and 
day in Ohio until he was about twenty years 
of age, when he went to Grand Island, 
Lake Superior, where he worked about one 
year. He also worked in the Michigan 
pineries one winter, and started for Minne- 
sota early in the spring of 1855. He came 



through from Michigan accompanied by his 
brother Orlando, arriving at what is now 
the city of Eochester, Olmsted Count}", April 
13, 1855. His personal pi'operty consisted 
of one horse and a small amount of money 
for his expenses. He made a claim south of 
Eochester, near Eoot Eiver, put up a cabin, 
and eight days afterward sold his claim and 
improvements for $200 to a man named 
Wilson. Then in company with several 
others he came to Le Sueur County and lo- 
cated about a mile north of Okaraan, taking 
a claim. Mr. Chamberlain was married in 
February, 1857, to Sarah E. Hatch, daughter 
of Curtis Hatch, one of the pioneers of 
Blooming Grove. They have had born to 
them nine children : Alma, born February, 
22, 1858; Adelia, August 29, 1860; Eosia, 
February 15, 1861; Effie, February 18,1864; 
Angeline, November 5, 1866; William, De- 
cember 15, 1868 ; Lafayette, March 4, 1871 ; 
Edgar, March 24, 1875 ; Edward, November 
9, 1880, aU of whom are living, six being 
residents of this county. 

John F. Allen made a settlement in Iosco 
on the 16th of June, 1856. 

William Lee is one of the pioneers of this 
portion of the county, making his first ap- 
pearance here in March, 1856. He came 
here from Hastings, Minn., hunting land. 
Shortly after this, making a second trip, he 
found what he wanted and settled here, 
locating upon the portion of section 6 where 
he now lives. He is a native of County 
Wexford, Ireland, born October 15, 1831, 
and resided in that " beautiful isle of the 
sea," until 1851, when he left his home for 
the United States. Landing in New York 
on the 17th day of March, he only remained 
in that vicinity about two months and then 
came west to Milwaukee, and spent about a 
year in that neighborhood, engaged in farm- 
ing, railroading and blacksmithing. From 
there he drifted to Chicago, where he still 
followed the railroad business. Next we 
find him at Eockford, 111., where he was 



employed running 



stationary engme. 



566 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



which he followed for eight months. In 
August, 1854, he was united in marriage 
with Catharine Beahan at Freeport, 111., 
after which event he came to Minnesota. 
This was in the fall of 1855. He remained 
at Hastings all that winter, coming here in 
the spring as mentioned above. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lee have been the parents of eight 
children : Mary Ann, single, at home, en- 
gaged in teaching ; Catherine, single, en- 
gaged as dressmaker ; Ellen J., now Mrs. 
Truman, lives at Hector, this State; John, 
section foreman Cannon Valley Railroad, 
lives at P>elle Creek, Goodhue County ; Mag- 
gie, Susan, James and Emma, at home. Mr. 
Lee was county commissioner for three years, 
town clerk, assessor, town supervisor and 
held several school district offices, now serv- 
ing as clerk of district 27. He is also trustee 
of the Catholic Church of Iosco, and a mem- 
ber of the Farmer's Alliance of the county. 

John Minske, with his two sons, August 
and Fred., located here in 1856. The elder 
Mr. Minske died a resident of this town in 
1862, after a long and painful illness, 
brought on no doubt by the exposure and 
hardship incident to a new settlement, and 
to which he was not accustomed in early 
life. His sons are still living in the town- 
shiji. 

With the Minskes came Gottfried Kanne, 
his three sons, Fred., August and Gottlieb, 
and his son-in-law, William Martzahn. These 
all settled in the northeastern part of the 
town. Mr. Kanne the elder, died here in 
1886, the balance are still living. They 
reached this place on the 25th of May, 1856, 
and at once broke some sixty acres, twenty 
on each of the three claims. 

Fred. F. Kanne is a native of Germany, 
born February 10, 1846. When he was but 
eleven years of age he lost his mother, and 
the father, with his little family consisting of 
four children, left the fatherland to come to 
the shores of the great republic, in 1856, 
landing at Baltimore after a passage of seven 
weeks and two days. They came right 



through to Minnesota, locating near Water- 
ville, Le Sueur County, where the old gen- 
tleman took up a claim, and where Fred. 
lived for ten years. On the 21st of July, 
1865, Fred. F. Kanne and Augusta M. 
Richter, were joined in wedlock, and some 
time later came to Iosco Township, settling 
upon section 1, where he now resides. Mrs. 
Kanne's father and brother were killed by 
the Indians in the outbreak of 1862 ; her 
mother is also dead. Mr. Kanne has a large 
farm of 270 acres of fine land, good buildings 
and is one of the thrifty and prosperous 
farmers of whom any county may well feel 
proud. He has held the office of town super- 
visor and various others in the school district. 
He is the inventor of a patent collar pad for 
horses, which received honorable mention at 
the New Orleans exposition in 1885. Mr. and 
Mrs. Kanne are the parents of eleven chil- 
dren : Albert J., Otto F., Anton, deceased; 
Emma L., Anna M., Lydia M., Theodore E., 
Martha A., Wesle}' B., George G. and Karl 
II. Albert is at Waterville and is a clerk in 
the bank. AU the others live at home ex- 
cept Emma, who is attending school and 
lives with her grandfather in Waterville. 

David Hutchinson, Thomas Bishop and 
Thomas Gibson made settlements within 
this precinct in 1856. Mr. Hutchinson is 
now a citizen of Red Wing, this State ; Mr. 
Gibson, who located on section 28, after liv- 
ino- there for a few years moved back to 
Illinois, where he died. Mr. Bishop emi- 
grated to Colorado. 

John Reed, after whom Reed's Lake in this 
township was named, was a veteran of the 
war of 1812-15, who came here in 1856. He 
was the father of seventeen children by two 
wives, five boys of whom were in the service 
during the late war. He died at Morristown 
not many years since. 

John F. and William Allen located claims, 
which they improved, in 1856 ; the former is 
now living in Nebraska, the latter in Mis- 
souri. 

John G. and Silas Ward were, also, among 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



567 



the pioneers of this year. John died in Mis- 
souri, where he had moved in 1872, and 
Silas returned to Illinois, where he is now 
living. 

John J. Fell, still a resident of Iosco, set- 
tled on section 33, in 1856. 

Richard Toner settled on section 16, in 
the fall of 1856. He was mixed up in the 
Hagadorn case, but there being.no evidence 
against him the jury acquitted him. He was 
born about 1813. On the 27th of August, 1878, 
his house was burned to the ground, and in 
spite of the strenuous efforts made by his son 
and others, he could not be rescued, and 
miserably perished in the flames. A daugh- 
ter of William Kanne was also burned at tlie 
same time. She was a young girl and was 
living there at the time as a domestic. 

During- this year (1856) quite a number of 
settlers arrived in this part of the county, 
among whom were H. W. Peck, George L. 
Leonard, Daniel Tripp, H. D. Baldwin, Benja- 
min W. Gifford, A. A. Gotten, Nelson and 
Henry Thwing, William Long and his sons, 
Seth W. and George; M. S. Green, Alnieran 
Wilsey, James Chad wick and Spencer J. 
AVillis. 

Henry Peck, who was the fii'st to hold the 
office of county surveyor, was interested in 
the town site of tlie embryo village of Em- 
pire, but after the failure of that place to 
secure the seat of justice for the county and 
its subsequent downfall, Mr. Peck went back 
East. 

George W. Leonard was a resident of the 
village of Empire. About the year 1860 
he returned to Ohio. 

Daniel Tripp, who ran tlie hotel at Empire, 
removed to liice County after some years. 

Benjamin Giff'ord was also one of the pro- 
prietors of the town site of Empire. He 
Anally went back to Wisconsin. Later he 
returned to this county and remained a short 
time, tlien moving to Elysian, Rice County, 
where he died about 1885. 

A. A. Gotten was one of the leading spirits 
in the village of Empire town site, he doing 



the larger part of the selling, no small job, for 
this was quite an extensive town on paper. 
On the collapse of the enterprise he left 
the county. 

Henry Thwing after a few years' residence 
here removed to the western part of the 
State, where he is now living. Nelson 
Thwing is a i^esident of Janesville Town- 
ship now. 

M. S. Green owaed a farm adjoining the 
town site of Empire, and resided there for 
many years. Later he sold out and moved to 
Iowa, where he died. 

Spencer J. Willis lived at the village of 
Empire working at his trade, that of carpen- 
ter. He afterward removed to Wilton, and 
for four years filled the office of clerk of the 
court. Some j'ears ago he removed to 
Washington, where he has been in one of the 
depai'tments as clerk ever since. 

Jacob Hagadorn, the victim of the first 
murder in the county, came here in tlie fall 
of 1856 and settled in the village of Empire. 
After his death, in October, 1857, his family 
moved away. 

Peter Farrell, the murderer of Hagadorn, 
came here in the spring of 1856. He was a 
man given to drink, and, when full of the 
intoxicating fluid, apt to grow boisterous. 
At the election of 1857, being full of whiske}'^ 
and frenzy, he killed Mr. Hagadorn, a quiet 

against whom he 
It was said at the time 
that it was his intention to slay some one 
else, and that, blinded by drink, he made a 
mistake. He was arrested, sent to Stillwater 
for security until he could be tried, but broke 
jail and left the country. He was seen or 
thought to have been seen at New Orleans, 
during the war. It is tliought now that he 
is a resident of Chicago, and has been for 
some time. 

David Coddington and his son A. H. came 
to this township from New York State, in 
1857, and took up claims, and remained here 
until 1861, when they moved over into 
Janesville. David Coddington died a resi- 



and inoffensive neighbor 
had no grudge 



568 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



dent of that township in 1878; A. II. is a 
resident of Ehndale, Chase County, Kan. 

G. Wash. Mathews and Fred. E. Koberts 
made settlements in 1S57. on section fi, where 
they remained but a sliort time, returning to 
Le Sueur County. 

Charles Green made a claim on section 30, 
whei'e he lived for many years, finally emi- 
grating to Missouri. 

liiamsel Giles made a settlement in the 
same year, on section 1, and James Babcock 
on section 30. 

Jane Babcock located a claim on section 2, 
where she still lives. 

Myron S. Sheldon came to this township 
in 1857. He was born in Monroe, Vt., in 
1831, and was united in marriage at North 
Adams, Mass., Decemljer 25, 1855, with 
Mary E. Babcock. They were the parents 
of four children ; Inez, tlied in infancy ; Ed- 
win II., also deceased ; Ida B. and Arthur 
M., living at home with their mother. Mr. 
Sheldon lived here from the time he made 
his settlement until 1S64-, when he enlisted 
in Company H, Third Minnesota Infantry, 
and went to Fort Snelling. From there 
they were ordered south, and at Little Ilock, 
Ark., was taken sick, came home on furlough 
and died at Waterville, January 21, 1865. 
His son, Arthur M., is second lieutenant of 
Hancock Camp, No. 20, Sons of Veterans. 

Martin Miller is also among the settlers of 
the year 1857, coming to this township, 
where his father preempted some land, 
where Martin now lives. Martin Miller was 
born in Prussia, April 7, 1837. In 1856, the 
family, consisting of the father and four 
children, the mother having died years pre- 
vious, left the old home beyond the sea, and 
came to America, to make a new home in 
" the land of the free." They landed at 
New York but came straight west as far as 
Chicago. Martin worked for one year in 
Lake County, Ind., and then the family came 
to Minnesota, and to Waseca. In 1864 Martin 
Miller and Mary Kaplisky were united in 
marriage. She was a native of the empire of 



Bohemia. They have had eleven children : 
Barbara, Joseph, Lizzie, Mary, IVIollie. Anna, 
Henry, Charles, Clara, John and Ellen, all of 
whom are at home exce])t the eldest, who 
lives at Faribault. His father died in Indiana, 
July 23, 1883; his brother Jose])h lives near 
by him, and all of his sisters have left here, 
one being in German3% one in Chicago and 
one in Indiana. His daughters are liberally 
educated, Mary having attended the central 
high school at Faribault. 

Hugh Ilealey came to this township in 
1857, and made a settlement on section 7. 
He is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, born 
in September, 1821. He lived in that island 
with his parents for some twenty-eight years 
on a small farm, Ijut in 1849 he left his na- 
tive shcn-es ami came to America, landing in 
New York, March 31 of that year. Fi'om 
that port he \vent to Pike, Luzerne and 
Wayne counties, Pa., where he lived sev- 
eral years. December 14, 1852, at Hones- 
dale, Wayne Count}', he was united in mar- 
riage with Sarah Coleman, whose parents 
were natives of Ireland. From the last 
named place he came to this countv, and 
settled in this town as detailed above, in 
April, 1857. After living on the piece of 
land on section 7, he sold it, and bought his 
present place on sections 15 and 16. He has 
l)een closely identified with the educational 
interests of the district in which he lives, 
having held man\' of the school offices, and 
was town treasurer for two years. He has 
a fine farm of 160 acres of land, 100 of which 
is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. and 
Mrs. Healey are the parents of eleven chil- 
dren : Thomas, living in Dakota ; John, at 
home ; Mary, J[rs. Dreever, living in this 
town; Catherine, Mrs. Lansing, of Waseca; 
Sarah, at home ; Fi-ancis, at La Crosse, Wis.; 
Josephine and Sidney at home ; Luke died 
1871 ; Elizabeth, died 1873, and Maggie, who 
who is home. 

REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. 

The following ai-eafew of the leading agri- 






HISTORY OF WASECA COTTNTT. 



569 



culturists of Iosco Township, given to show 
the class of people who make up this part of 
the county : 

Philip Purcell, the present chairman of the 
board of county commissioners, is a native of 
Ireland, born in the County Tipperai'y, De- 
cember 15, 1840. Six years later the family, 
consisting of his parents, two brothers, two 
sisters and himself, left the " Emerald Isle," 
and came to the United States. Landing at 
New York, they came right through to Mil- 
waukee, in the county of which name in Wis- 
consin the elder Mr. Purcell made a settle- 
ment, where his wife died in 1856, and where 
the old gentleman still resides. Philip was 
reared in that county on a farm, receiving 
his education at the usual educational insti- 
tutions, and later in life taught school there 
for some ten or twelve years. February, 
1870, he and Mary A. Flynn were united in 
marriage, and shortly after came to Waseca 
County, where he has since lived, and been 
closely identified with the official life of the 
county, serving eight years on the board 
of commissioners, six of them as chairman. 
He has also held the office of town supervis- 
or for several years, and is the present clerk 
of the school district in which he lives. Mr. 
and Mrs. Purcell are the parents of three 
children : Mary Agnes, born May 11, 1874 ; 
Ellen Theresa, February 14, 1870, and Anna 
Margaret, November 15, 1879, all living at 
home. He and family are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

Samuel A. Minor was born in Coleraine, 
Mass., February 8, 1843, and j'esided in the 
" Old Bay State " for twenty -three years, 
when he came west, locating at Waterville, 
Le Sueur County. He was united in marriage 
at Wilton, with Mrs. Maiy E. Sheldon, widow 
of Myron S. Sheldon, one of the old set- 
tlers of Iosco, a sketch of whom appears 
elsewhere. There have been no children by 
this marriage, which took place Febi-uary 
23, 1869. His father is still living in Cole- 
I'aine, where his mother died in 1876. His 
brothers were : Everett W., married and 



lives at Turner's Falls, Mass.; Cyrus H., died 
in 1863 ; William H., now of Waterville, 
Minn.; James B. and Joseph C, residing in 
Massachusetts; Winfield S. , at Waterville, 
Minn.; Uriah D. of Starke, Fla., and Charles 
D. on the homestead, Massachusetts. His 
sisters were: Sarah E., died 1870; Fannie 
E., Mrs. Martin, of Massachusetts. Septem- 
ber 2, 1862, Mr. Minor enlisted in Company 
B, Fifty-second Regiment Massachusetts 
Volunteers, and served his country in the 
ranks of her noble defenders. He was in the 
siege of Port Hudson, and was held in re- 
serve in front of that place twenty-seven 
days, but was in no open battle. He is a 
member of N. B. Barron Post, No. 93, 
Grand Armj' Republic, of Waterville. He 
taught school in 1866, in the same town, and 
was the clerk of the First Baptist Church of 
that village. He has 270 acres of land under 
line culture, and owns considerable fine 
graded stock, and has a fine residence. 

Martin Plath was born in Germany, De- 
cember 29, 1825, and resided in that country 
until he had attained the age of thirty-five 
years. When he was twenty -three years old 
he and Caroline Batke were united in mar- 
riage, and they have been the parents of nine 
children : Edward, Charles, Bertha, Pauline, 
Herman, Otelia and Mollie, twins; Martin 
and Alvina, all of whom were born in Ger- 
many except Alvina, who was born in 
Waseca County. His parents are both dead, 
and he was an only child. Mr. Plath and 
family sailed for America in 1865, landing 
in Quebec. While crossing the long bridge 
across the St. Lawrence River, at Montreal, 
the draw being open to permit the passage 
of a vessel, the train ran through the opening 
and Mrs. Plath was severely injured, having 
her jaw bone broken, and their child, Martin, 
then but nine months olil, was killed. They 
came to Wisconsin ami settled in Marquette 
Count}', where they remained three years 
and then came to Waseca County, when he 
purchased the farm on section 26, in this 
township, where they now reside. 



570 



HISTORY OK WASKCA CO0NTY. 



Christiiin Koester is a native of Alsace, 
France, born July 31, 1832. He remained a 
resident of "J.a Belle France" until he had 
reached his majority, in 1853, when he emi- 
grated to the United States, his father 
having died when he was but eight years of 
age. On landing in this country he pro- 
ceeded to Fhiladelphia, and after some stay 
there and in the vicinity, came west as far as 
Milwaukee. From there he went to Muske- 
gon, Mich., where he worked for a short 
time in the first sawmill erected in that place. 
Soon after we find him on a farm near Water- 
town, Wis., but ten months later he went to 
Columbia County, in the same State, and 
rented a farm and finally bought forty acres 
of land and lived on it for about si.Y years, 
when he sold out and came to this county, 
and in 1864 purchased his present farm on 
section 29, where he now owns 2fi0 acres of 
land, 150 of which are under cultivation. He 
has a good and commodious dwelling and 
other farm buildings. Mr. Koester was 
married in 1858 to Catherine Eppingler, 
who died March 9, 1873, leaving five chil- 
dren : Louis, Laura (now Mrs. Pingel), Frank, 
Willis and Clara. On March 22, 1874, he 
was married to Anna Rudolph, who is the 
mother of three children : Eddie, William 
and Emil, all of whom are at home. 

Ludwig Walter is a native of Schwerin 
Mecklenburg, Germany, and was born 
August 10, 1832. He remained in the land 
of his nativity until his mai'i'iage. In 1854 
the young couple embarked for the far- 
away shores of America. Arriving at New 
Vork he went at once to Detroit, Mich., 
and from there went into the pineries and 
labored the following winter. In the spring 
he went to Milwaukee, Wis., to see his 
parents, who had followed their son across 
the ocean. From there he moved to Wau- 
kesha, Wis., and from thei'e to Appleton, 
and from the latter place came to Owatonna, 
where he rented a farm in the vicinity and 
engaged in agricultural pursuits for a year, 
when he purchased eighty acres of land in 



the town of Meriden, Steele County, where 
he remained until 1875, when he purchased 
the farm on section 21, Iosco, in this county, 
where he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Walter 
are the parents of twelve children : Albert, 
married and living near; Emma, Mrs. 
Wendland ; Ida, Mrs. Frederick; William, 
Sophia, Minnie, Martha, Hannah, Sarah, 
L3'dia, Ella and Lewis, the latter of whom is 
dead. Mr. Walter has three brothers, all 
farmers of the town of Meriden, Steele 
(Jounty : Frederick, John and Henry ; his 
sister Minnie, Mrs. Peter, is the wife of the 
pastor of the Evangelical Society of the 
same place ; the other sister, Sophia, Mrs. 
Hensel, lives at Sleepy Eye. His father died 
at Meriden in 1871, but his mother still 
lives there. His wife's family consisted of 
two brothers, John and Christian, and two 
sisters. Mar}', Mrs. Jarcho, and Minnie, Mrs. 
Walter. Mr. Walter has a fine farm and a 
handsome residence, with pleasant surround- 
ings to make him happy. 

John McWade came to Iosco Township in 
1856, and making a claim on section 25, re- 
mained there, proved up and still resides on 
the old homestead. He is a native of Ire- 
land, born in County Tyrone, December 25, 
1829, and remained there until twentj' years 
of age. Then with his sister Ella, set sail 
from ihe green shores of the Emerald Isle 
for America, and after seven Aveeks and 
three days spent on the passage, landed at 
Boston. He remained in that city and at 
Lowell, Mass., for about five years, when 
he came to this place. In 1855, at Lowell, 
he was united in marriage with Ann Lynch, 
whose parents had also come from Ire- 
land. They have been the parents of five 
children : Frank, living at home ; Margaret, 
Mrs. James Bowe, living near Waseca; 
Catherine, deceased ; Theresa, died in in- 
fancy, and Mary A., at home. Mr. McWade 
has filled the offices of town supervisor, town 
clerk, justice of the peace and all the various 
ortices of the school district. He has a farm 
of 280 acres of land and a fine residence. He 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



573 



gives considei'able attention to fine stock, 
running to graded cattle, Poland-Cliina and 
Victoria hogs, etc. Mrs. Ann McWade is 
the daughter of Patrick and Ellen Lynch, 
who were the parents of six children : 
Mary, Hannah, Ann, Alice, Kate and John, 
all of whom are living in Massachusetts ex- 
cept John, who is in the Soldiers' Home at 
Logus, Me., and Ann, who is the wife of 
John McWade, of this township. John 
Lynch enlisted at Lowell, Mass., in October, 
1861, in Company B, Twenty-sixth Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, and fought bravely in many 
of the battles of the late war, especially at 
that of Cedar Creek in 1804, in the Shenan- 
doah Valle\^ He reenlisted on the expira- 
tion of his term of service, serving to tlie 
end of the war, and was honorably dis- 
charged. 

August Bathke and his family settled in 
Waseca County in 1864, on section 22, Iosco 
Township, where Mr. Bathke now has 210 
acres of tine land. He is a native of Ger- 
many, born May 25, 1825. He resided in 
the country of his birth for many years, and 
there he was united in marriage with Caro- 
line Roesky, and they have had born to 
them eleven children : Charles, August, 
William, Gusta, Albert, Herman, Fred, Ame- 
lia, Martha and Lydia. Fred, is now dead, 
dying in Minnesota. When they came to 
America they landed at Quebec, Canada, 
and from there proceeded to Detroit, where 
they stayed only two days and then went 
to Princeton, Wis., where he worked on a 
farm that summer, and then bought a farm 
of s xty-five acres of land, and lived there 
five years. Selling out at the end of that 
time, he came to Minnesota, and after 
spending six months at New Ulm, came to 
thi.s county. 

James E. Jones is a native of England, 
born in the parish of Minsterworth, Glouces- 
tershire, May 20, 1827. Beginning life for 
himself at the early age of twelve years, his 
time has been filled with many adventures. 
Having a longing for tlie sea that girts his 

33 



native land, he shipped on board of a vessel 
as ship's l)oy, and followed a sailors life for 
nearly a quarter of a century, making many 
voyages ; at one time was pressed into the 
service of the British P]ast India Company, 
and served in the military contingent in 
Hindoostan for four years. In 18fiO he 
came to America to stay, and located at 
Milwaukee, which he made his home, being 
engaged in the duties of seaman on the lakes. 
Shortly afterward he came to Iosco, Waseca 
County,where he still resides. June 11, 1863, 
Mr. Jones and Mrs. Louisa Lafayette were 
united in marriage. Mrs. Lafayette, who 
was a widow, had at that time two children : 
Edgar Lafayette, now at Casselton, D. T., 
and Minnie L., now Mrs. Brossard. Mr. 
and Mrs. Jones have had nine children : 
Fayette, born June 3, 1865, and died at the 
age of four years; Alice A., born Sep- 
tember 3, 1867, and died at the age of six- 
teen months; Fayette, born May 20, 1869; 
Wesley, September 3, 1871; Frank, October 
6, 1873; AHce, January 14, 1875; George, 
February 17, 1878; Willie, July 27, 1880, and 
Roy, February 27, 1882. James E. Jones 
purchased the place where he now lives, in 
1860. It is very pleasantly situated and 
under a high state of cultivation. Notwith- 
standing his early education as a seaman, he 
has made a success of farming, and has 
achieved a competency. 

Henry S. Ballard is a native of Iosco 
Township, Waseca County, Minn., born Sep- 
tember 10, 1862, and has been a resident 
nearly all the time ever since. Determined 
to get an education, he attended the Wesleyan 
Methodist Seminary, at Wasioja, Dodge 
County, for nearly eight terms, working there 
at whatever he found to do to pay his tuition 
and keep, and attending the school when- 
ever he could. He was away from home 
thus most of the time, from the time he was 
eighteen until he was twenty -four years old ; 
but August 31, 1886, his father was hurt by 
his horse running away, by which he received 
such injuries that he died after six weeks of 



574 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTT. 



suffering. Henry then came home and took 
full charge of the farm. He has delivered a 
number of public lectures, including one on 
the" use of tobacco and six on the prohibi- 
tion question. His mother, Huldah A. 
(Wright) Ballard was united in marriage 
with John Eallard, his father, August 31, 
1861. They had a family' of eleven children: 
Henry S., Mary A., Charles B.,Emma M., 
David L., Chandler J., Lovell A., deceased; 
Benjamin L., NelJie Mae and Ellie J. (twins) 
and Anna H. 

Mary Newman was born in Milwaidvce, 
Wis., December 6, 1845, where she lived with 
her parents until twenty-six years of age ; in 
18Y1 was united in marriage to John New- 
man, a native of Germany, born May 7, 1831. 
Soon after their marriage they came to 
Waseca County, Mrs. Newman's parents bav- 
ins: come some time before. Mr. Newman 
died November 4, 1885. They had born to 
them eight children : Fred, Anna, William, 
Gustave and Herman, all living and at home, 
and three died in infancy. 

August Kaiser is a native of Germany, 
born November 4, 1849. He came to Amer- 
ica when nineteen years of age, landing at 
New York City, and from there went to 
Wisconsin and worked in Green Lake County 
about one year; then came to Waseca County, 
Minn., and worked out for a few years. In 
1874 he purchased the farm on which he now 
resides. The same year he was united in 
marriage with Augusta Wunderliech in Rice 
County. They have had born to them six 
children : George, Ilachel, Adolf, Almon, 
Eddie and Orlando. Mr. Kaiser has about 
315 acres of land, of which 150 is under cul- 
tivation. He has four brothers and two 
sisters living in Minnesota. His farm is in 
a high state of cultivation and has fine 
buildings. 

James Slattery was born in Montreal, 
Canada, October 4, 1833, where he lived for 
many years. In 1878 he settled in Iosco 
Township, Waseca County, Minn., where he 
purchased a farm on section 20. In 1863 he 



was united in marriage to ilary Murphy, 
also a native of Canada. Thej^ have had 
born to them four children : Lizzie, Katie, 
Bridget and Mary A. Mr. Slattery has a 
brother, a resident of Iosco ; a sister, now 
Mrs. Blanchfield, lives in Moorhead, Minn. 
His father and mother both died in Canada 
some years ago. Mrs. Slattery's parents are 
both dead. She has two brothers, Henr}' 
and Thomas, neither of whom are residents 
of Waseca County, however. 

August Wendland came to Waseca Countv 
in 1868 and located on section 21, where he 
now resides. He is one of the prosperous 
farmers of Iosco, and has a fine farm under 
good cultivation. He is a native of Prussia, 
born March 4, 1826, and was reared in that 
countr\'. Like most youths of Germany, he 
served in the army of his fatherland. 
January 3, 1850, he was united in marriage 
with Justina Wendland, by whom he had 
seven children: Julius, deceased ; Herman, 
deceased ; August, born December 27, 1857, 
married to Emma Walter and resides in 
this town ; Henrietta, born May 27, 1860, 
now Mrs. Keiser, also of Iosco; Amelia, 
deceased; John, born December 6, 1862, and 
Mary, born November 14, 1864, now Mrs. 
Draham, of Waseca. In 1853, in company 
with his wife and one child, Herman, he left 
his native land and came to the United 
States, and for some years made his home 
in Wisconsin ; coming to Waseca Count}^ in 
1868, he has made it his residence ever since. 
His first wife died in 1868 ; he was again 
married to Justina Block, of Mai'quette, Wis., 
who bore him one child, Henrv, Septem- 
ber 8, 1869, who is stiU at home. Both his 
parents and those of his wife are dead, 
having died in the old country. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The first school in district No. 12 was 
held at the house of John M. Minske, during 
the winter of 1858-9. Sallie Norcott was 
the teacher. 

The first religious services were held at the 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



575 



house of J. M. Minske in the spring of 1857, 
by the German Methodists. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The German Methodist congregration of 
Iosco Townslii]) is a part of the church at 
Waseca, but hold independent meetings at 
the residence of August Minske, who usually 
presides. This class was initiated at a series 
of meetings held at the house of John 
Minske, in the spring of 1857. No society 
was formed at that time, they belonging to 
the church organization in Blooming Grove, 
but in 1876 this was set off and called Wa- 
seca Mission. The class at Mr. Minske's 
numbers about twenty-five. Sunday school 
was instituted in 1865 and now has about 
thirty members. 

St. Jarlath Roman Catholic Church is 
located on section 17, and was erected in 
1868, at a cost of about $1,800, but has since 
been remodeled and finished until it repre- 
sents a cost of $4,000. It is a very pretty 
specimen of church architecture and reflects 
credit upon the community that put it up. 
The first meeting of the Catholics of Iosco 
was held at Okaman, in 1858, mass being 
celebrated by Rev. Father Somerising. This 
was at the house of John Bradish. The peo- 
ple of this township attended mass at Ely- 
sian for the most part, going there to their 
duties. In 1865 meetings were held at the 
Murray schoolhouse on section 9. Missionary 
services were held from this time on until 
1868 when the church here was built. At 
that time the church had some 140 members 
taking in a part of the Waseca, Janesville 
and Waterville missions, but now has but 
about forty members. Rev. Father P. J. 
O'Neil comes here from Janesville twice a 
month to attend to the spiritual wants of 
the community and celebrate mass. 

The cemetery in connection with this 
church was laid out in 1868. The first 
interment here was that of John Oaks, in 
the winter of 1868- 9 ; the second, that of 
John Haley, in April, 1869. 



There is a German Methodist Church on 
section 13, that was built in 1880-81. The 
first meeting of this societ}' was held at the 
house of Gottfried G. Kanne, on section 12, 
in the year 1858. This and subsequent 
services were held by Rev. Goechtenmier, 
at various houses, and the society organized. 
In 1872, when the schoolhouse was built, 
meetings were held in that until the build- 
ing of the church. 

VILLAGE OF EMPIRE. 

In the spring of 1856 N. E. Strong, George 
L. Leonard, Daniel Tripp, Benjamin W. Gif- 
ford and A. A. Gotten, conceiving that a 
town in this part of the county would be a 
good thing, laid out the village of Empire, on 
the southeast quarter of section 20. II. W. 
Peck, afterward county surveyor, laid it out 
and platted it. High hopes were indulged 
in regard to the new village, and anticipations 
of having the county seat located there daz- 
zled the eyes of the owners and residents ; 
but when the seat of justice was located at 
the rival village of Wilton, Empire gradi\ally 
lost its prestige and waned and melted away 
into nothingness. In the language of a local 
writer, " It rose, reached its zenith and faded 
away all in the course of two years." Where 
once the imagination of its partisans expected 
to see rise stately buildings filled with mer- 
chandise, hear busy factories make the air 
throb with beat of machinery, naught now 
is seen but nodding grain or bending corn ; 
streets they hoped to have seen pressed by 
the feet of huriying multitudes, now resound 
to the tread of cud-chewing cattle or whis- 
tling ploughmen. 

The first hotel in this embryo village was 
built by John H. Wheeler, in the spring of 
1856. It was a log building, two stories high 
and thirty feet square on the ground. 

Mr. Long, the father of Seth W., the ex- 
sheriflf, brought a sawmill to this village, which 
was ver}' useful and a great accommodation 
to the settlers. It remained here for many 
years, finally being removed to Janesville 



576 



H18TUBY OF WA8K0A tXJUNTY. 



Townwliip. Mr. Long, the; older, died here 
al>out two ycai'H al'lcr his Hetllciiicnt. 

'J'hornas Tripp came to this village from 
Fiinliaiilt, in IHr<7, and erected another hotel, 
wliieli was run |)artly \ty himself and partly 
by Daniel 'i'ripp. 

The lirst store huilding was erected by 



Ilial D. I'aldwin, who ran it about a year 
and then closed it out. 

Alrneran Wilsey ran a blacksmith shop 
here which he put uj) in 185*!. A year later 
he tore dcjwn the building and took up a 
claim. 






li 



CHAPTER XIX. 




liLOOMINU (4 MOVE TOWNSHIP. 



fllK town of I 'looming Grove coni- 
pi'isos all ol' congressional tovvn- 
sliip 1(18 nortii, range 22 west. It 
is l)oun(l(!(l <;n the nortli by Ilice 
(bounty, on the east by Steele 
(bounty, and on the south and 
west by th(! townships of Wood- 
vilUi and Iosco. Some of the 
11 nest portions of the county arc 
included in its limits. It is well 
drained by the snniJl ci'(!cl<s and 
streams that How into its several 
lakes ; mention is made of these latter in the 
former part of this history. The east iialf 
of the township is almost level, gently un- 
dulating, but as it approaches the west lino 
the "rolls " become more abrupt and knolly. 
Nearly one half of the town is covered with 
timber, iilike valuable for fuel and for pro- 
tection from the searching winds of winter. 
The first settlers in what is now Blooming 
Grove Townshij) were Michac^I .hthnson, 
Jonathan Howell, A. J. Bell and S. F. Wy- 
man. These young m(!n, in the spring of 
ls.5."), built a log cabin on section 4. Th(;re 
they kept "bach," being all single men, for 
about two years, when Wyman and Bell 
quit. The others kept right along, and for 
seven years longer lived the life of "single 
blessedness," doing their own cooking, ]iiirt 
of the time without a stove. At the explica- 
tion of that period Mr. Johnson married, 
but Mr. IIowcll niiiiained single until the 
day of his death. Mr. Johnson is still a resi- 
dent of the township ; Mr. Howell, who was 
a native of England, died here in 1880 as 
stated ; Mr. Bell removed to Faribault, and 
Mr. Wyman is a resident of the city of 
Waseca. 



In June, 1855, Christian Remund with his 
fa^mily made a settlement in this subdivision 
of tlie county, on sections 8 and 9, where 
they still reside. 

Christian licMuund, |)roprietor of llm 
^looming Grove Stock Farm, is a native of 
Switzerland, born November 21, 18;5(). Ho 
resided in his native country until about 
twenty years of age, when, in March, 18.')(), 
li(!, in company with Jacob Bumgerdner, 
saihul for the shores of America, and liuuhid 
in New York. From there they W(Uit to 
Joliet, III., by way of Chicago, where they 
worked out in that vicinity for about one 
year. Then, still in company, they rent-ed a 
farm and raised and harvested one crop. 
Mr. Remund tlum loft this place and rentod 
another near by. October' 21, 1851, he mar- 
ried his partner's sister, Anna Bumgerdner, 
who was also a native of Switzerland, and 
had como to America a y<!ar earlier. After 
tli(!ir marriage he remained on the place he 
hiid rented one year, then rented anotlusr in 
siime neighborhood, where ho lived until the 
spring of 1855, when ho started for Minne- 
sota, arriving in Waseca County, June 28, 
1855. He immediately located a claim on 
section 9, Blooming Grove Township, the 
site of his present home. The; first summer 
they lived in their covered wagon until Oc- 
tober, when they movcsd into the cabin which 
he had built. At this time the country 
was full of Indiims, and only one cabin wiis 
near where Mr. Remund en;cted his. When 
he came to this county his property invoiced 
as follows: one ox-team, two yoke; of three- 
yoiiT-old steers and a span of yearling colts, 
a, few cows, and not one dolliir in money. 
He now has 370 acres of land in a high state 



577 



578 



HISTORY OF WASKOA COUNTY. 



of cultivation, a nice residence and good 
barns, and a large quantity of stock about 
liim ; is a breeder of thoroughbred short-horn 
cattle, and also owns the two noted horses, 
Amateur No. 10 and Bruno No. 2101. When 
his son Lewis was married he gave him 160 
acres of land, and about $1,500 in money and 
personal property. Mr. and Mrs. Christian 
Kemund are the parents of seven children, 
three of whom are living, four dying in in- 
fancy. Tiiose living are: Lewis C, born 
April 18, 1858, now in Minneapolis studying 
for a veterinary surgeon ; Carrie A., born 
December 3, 1861 ; George H., March 8, 
1866. The last two still remain at home 
with their parents. 

W. M. Gray with his family also settled 
here in 1855. He was a native of Allegan^' 
County, N. Y. This was his residence until 
about 1872, when he died. His settlement 
was on section 33. 

J. M. Blivens, after whom one of the 
settlements in this townshij) was called, came 
here with his family in 1S55. He lived here 
for many years, finally emigrating to Mis- 
souri, where he is still living. His settle- 
ment was upon the west part of section 32. 

In June, 1855, Ole Knutson made a settle- 
ment here, and remained many years. He 
is now a resident of Renville Count}', this 
State. 

Samuel and Luther Dickenson made a 
settlement during the fall of 1855 in the 
northwestern part of Blooming Grove. 
About 1858, Luther growing tired of pioneer 
life returned to Vermont, their native State. 
Samuel remained here until 1860, when he 
moved to Le Sueur County. 

Curtis Hatch, a blind man, with his fam- 
ily settled in this precinct in 1855. He 
died in Moody County, D. T., in 1884. 

M. P. Ide settled here in the same year. 

Simeon Smith, who came from Fayette 
County, Iowa, with his family, made a claim 
just west of the lake on sections 31 and 32 
in June, 1855. He lived on this place many 
vears and died there in November, 1872. 



With him came Alfred C. Smith, his son. 
who lived with his father until the follow- 
ing year, when he removed to Woodville 
Township, where he resided until sometime 
after his father's death, when he returned to 
the elder Smith's farm, where he now lives. 

The year 1856 witnessed everywhere an 
immense tide of immigration setting west- 
ward, and the countj' of Waseca received 
many new settlers. Among those who lo- 
cated in this township during that j'ear 
were : E. R. Conner, George Dean, John 
and James Walker, William Donaldson, 
Patrick Ilealy, Lewis McKune, John L. 
Saufferer, Cornelius Hand and his sons, J. 
N. Powers, Philo Woodruif, John Gibson, 
Daniel Riegle, Patrick Murphj', Andrew 
Nelson, Joshua, Josiah, Henry and Samuel 
Smith, Jacob Oory, William H. Young, B. 
Sharp and Joseph Churchill. 

E. R. Conner was a native of Indiana, 
from whence he canie to Minnesota with 
James and John Walker, all bringing- fami- 
lies. Mr. Conner settled on eighty acres of 
land in the northwest quarter of section 10, 
to which he laid claim on the 11th of June. 
He lived on this place until 1883, when he 
removed to Faulk County, D. T., where he 
is still living. 

John Walker enlisted during the war in 
tiie Third Minnesota Infantry, and died at 
Pine Bluff, Ark., in September, 1864. 

William Donaldson died here in 1860. 

Capt. Lewis McKune was quite promi- 
nent, politically, in the early days of the 
county's history, representing this district 
in the constitutional convention and in the 
senate. He was afterward killed, at the 
head of his company, at the battle of Bull 
Run. A detailed sketch of him is given in 
the chapter entitled State and County Rep- 
resentation. 

J. N. Powers lived here but a short time, 
removing to Wilton, where he practiced 
law. He afterward moved to Rice County, 
and represented that district in the State 
Legislature. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



579 



Daniel Riegle served as justice of the 
peace for this town in 1858. He is now a 
resident of Kittson County, this State. 

Joshua Smith lives in Greenland, Le Sueur 
County, Minn ; Josiah Smith, in Nebraska ; 
Henry Smith, in Montana, and Samuel 
Smith in California. 

Jacob Oory did not remain here long, and 
is now a resident of Kansas. He was a 
young man when he came here, and with- 
out any family. 

William H. Young was an original charac- 
ter, well known among the old settlers. 

Joseph Churchill left this part of the 
State and settled in Eenville County, Minn., 
where he died several years since. 

John L. Saufferer is still a resident of tlie 
township, and a sketch of him is given in the 
chapter entitled State and County Represen- 
tation, he having served the people of 
Waseca County in the legislative halls of 
the State. 

William J. Wheeler, Cyrus Ross and An- 
drew Oleson all took up claims and com- 
menced opening up farms in the fall of 1856. 

Gottlieb Petrich, a German by birth, came 
to this town in June, 1856. and settling down 
upon a farm, there dwelt until January, 1887, 
when he was called hence by the death 
angel. 

Fred. McKune is the son of Lewis McKune, 
one of the most prominent leaders of early 
days in Steele and Waseca counties. Fred. 
was born in Illinois, where his parents had 
settled on coming from Pennsylvania, on 
the 10th of February, 1851. In the year 
1856 Capt. McKune brought his family to 
Waseca County and located on section 1. 
Here Fred, was reared, growing up among 
the scenes that now surround him, one of the 
old settlers of this locality. His sisters — Mrs 
McBride, now resides in Milbank, D. T., and 
Laura, Mrs. Vogel, at ^Marietta, D. T. — were 
raised in this county. His mother died at 
Morristown in 1863. In 1883 Mr. McKune 
was united in marriage with Clarissa C. 
Gore, of Indiana, and they are the parents 



of two children : Lewis and Edna. His 
wife's father is a resident of Morristown, but 
her mother was called away from this world 
by the angel of death during the •winter of 
1886. Mr. McKune has a farm of 200 acres 
of land, 125 of which are under a high state 
of cultivation, and owns a handsome resi- 
dence and some excellent graded stock. 

In February. 1856, Christian Remund 
went as far as Dunlieth, 111., to meet his 
folks, and brought from there his father, 
Samuel Remund, and his brothers, John, 
Samuel, Rudolph and Albert, and sister Lina. 
John and Samuel were married, and with 
their father brought their wives with them. 
They took up claims on coming here. John 
settled on section 15, and is now in Wilmot, 
D. T.; Samuel located on section 9, and is a 
resident of the same section ; Ru(lol]>h took 
a claim on 8, and is now in Wilmot, D. T.; 
Albert on section 9, and is still in the county. 
The elder located on the claim of Rudolph. 

Samuel Remund, one of the pioneers of 
Waseca County and one of the representa- 
tive citizens, is a native of Canton Berne, 
Oberamt, Switzerland. He was born Janu- 
ary 26, 1833, at Laupen, Miihlberg, Butten- 
reid, and resided among those Alpine heights 
until April, 1855, when he and his wife emi- 
grated to the shores of the United States, in 
company with his father's family, landing in 
New York on Christmas day. From the lat- 
ter point they journeyed to Dubuque, by way 
of Buffalo, Cleveland and Chicago, and re- 
mained there until al)out the 15th of January. 
Leaving there by sleigh, when they reached 
Dunleith Mr. Remund was taken sick, and 
he and his wife remained at that place until 
February, when they finished the journey, 
reached the point for which they had made 
their long journey, as before mentioned, in 
February, 1856, and located a claim on sec- 
tion 9, where he now resides. When they 
came here this part of Minnesota was a wil- 
derness, only one frame house standing in Far- 
ibault, the hotel — and nothing but log and 
pole cabins in Owatonna, and but five or six 



580 



HISTORY OK WASECA COUNTY. 



settlers were in this town, and Indians 
abounded in this section of country. Before 
starting for this country, Mr. lieraund, on 
the 21st of July, 1856, was united in mar- 
riage with Anna Jiine, by wlioni he had four 
cliildren; Samuel, who died at the age of six 
years; Lana, now Mrs. David Newhart, of St. 
Paul; Anna, now Mrs. Andrew Brooker, of 
Colorado, and Rosina, now Mrs. Davison, of 
Waseca. His first wife dying in 1861, he was 
again united in marriage with Elizabeth New- 
hart, in the fall of 1861. They had six chil- 
dren: Samuel, Lizzie, Henry, David, Mar}' 
and Eddie. Again, in 1874, Mr. Remund 
was bereft of his wife, and in the summer of 
1874, was married to Mrs. Orsala Rover, by 
whom he had no family. Mr. Remund has 
lield the office of town assessor and clerk of 
school district, and was elected town super- 
visor, but declined to serve. He is one of 
tiie leading farmers of the town, owning 
450 acres of land, 220 of which are in a iiigh 
state of cultivation. He has also a fine lot 
of cattle. 

Albert Remund, another brother, was born 
in Canton Berne, Oberamt, Laupen, Mlihl- 
berg, Buttenreid. in July, 1836, and came to 
America with the family, asabove mentioned, 
in 1855. On coming to Waseca County he 
took a claim, as was the custom in tliosedays, 
on section 9, and proved up on the same. In 
June, 1859, he was united in marriage with 
Frances Winter, a native of Gei-many, born 
March 26, 1844, and moved on the place on 
section 9, where he now lives. They are the 
parents of eleven children: Emma L., born 
June 3, 1869; William, August 13, 1874; 
Louisa, January 23, 1877; Sarah, September 
1, 1880; Laura, July 12, 1883; Mabel, May 
13, 18S6; Philip, who is dead, and four who 
died in infancy. His wife is the daughter of 
P'red. and Louisa Winter, who both died in 
Iowa. Thev have several children vet livins: 
besides Mrs. Remund : Edward, who lives in 
Iowa; Henrietta, now Mrs. Rief, on a farm 
near Des Moines, and Augusta, Mrs. Flack- 
nuin, whose husband is connected with the 



police force of Burlington, in the same State. 
Mr. Remund for twenty 3'ears has held the of- 
fice of clerk of tliis town, and at present (1887) 
is justice of the peace and school director. 
He has 110 acres of very fine land, 80 of 
wJiich is under a high state of cultivation, 
and has some very fine stock, chiefly short- 
horn cattle and Victoria swine. 

James Hand was born February 22, 1835. 
and is the son of Cornelius and Rebecca 
Hand. His grandfather, Cornelius, also a 
native of New Jersey, was a soldier of the 
war of 1812-15, who later in life removed to 
Ohio. The father of James, who was born 
February 27, 1812, resided in Holmes Coun- 
ty, Ohio, when James was born. In 1840 
the family removed to Kosciusko Coun- 
ty, Ind., settling on a farm, where the 
mother and Elizabeth, one of the daughters, 
died. In 1855 the family came to Minnesota 
and spent one winterj and in the spring of 
1856 came to Waseca County and located 
on east half of the northeast quarter of 
section 5, this township, where James now 
lives. August 24, 1856, James Hand and 
Lydia Ann Sprague were united in marriage, 
and they are the parents of three children : 
Ella, now Mrs. M. E. Milieu ; Stephen T., 
living in the township, and Manerva, de- 
ceased. In Novemljer. 1864, Mr. Hand en- 
listed in Company E, First Minnesota Heavy 
Artillery, and was ordered to Chattanooga, 
Tenn., where he was engaged in provost 
duty until September 25, 1865, when he was 
mustered out. He has a good farm in ex- 
cellent state of culture. He has been hon- 
ored by his fellow citizens by having con- 
ferred upon liim the office of town supervi- 
sor for three different terms, and has held 
school district oifices besides. 

Kj^es Swift was born in Fond du Lac, 
Wis., where he lived until two years of age. 
While he was quite young his father died, 
and he was thrown upon his own resources, 
and through hard labor and steady habits he 
has accumulated a fair amount of tliis world's 
ffoods and a fine home. He came to Waseca 



HISTORY OF WASECA OOUTNTY. 



581 



Coimty in 1856, and at that time the Indian 
trail passed near his door. Five imndred 
Indians have been at his well at one time for 
water. Mr. Swift's father was a native of 
New York State. His mother died in Catta- 
raugus County, that State, in 1865. At Mor- 
ristown, Minn., July 3, 1874, Mr. Swift was 
married, and is the parent of three children : 
Clara A,, born April 28,1875; Clarence C, 
June 26, 1878, and Homer J., November 4, 
1883, who died March 22, 1884. 

Mrs. Margeret Hackett, whose maiden 
name was Phelan, is a native of County Tip- 
perary, 'Ireland, and resided in that county 
until she attained her twenty-seventh year. 
One year previous to that she had been 
united in marriage with John Hackett. 
They sailed for America about a 3'ear after 
marriage, landing at New York City, and 
from there went to Milwaukee, but after a 
residence there of six months moved to Kock- 
ford. 111., whei'e they remained some eight 
years, he working by the day at any work 
that he and his team could find to do. In 
1856 they came to "Waseca County, settling 
on the place on section 13, where they now 
live. They have had ten children born to 
them : Martin, Pierce, Julia, Patrick, Will- 
iam, John, James,Mary, Maggie and William. 
Five of the children are living and five are 
numbered with the dead. Two boys are in 
St. Paul, Julia lives near Hastings, this State, 
and two are at home with their parents. 

Knut Ericksen, sometimes called Saltvold, 
a native of Norway, came to this townsliip 
in June, 1856, and made a settlement. He 
was a resident of this township until his 
death in 1869. His widow and children are 
residents here still. 

Gullick Knutsen was born at Roldat, Ber- 
genstift, Norway, May 25, 1840, and came 
to America, with his parents, Knut Erick- 
sen Saltvold, and liagnhild (GuUicksdatter 
Berge), in the spring of 1 851, settling near 
Marsliall, Dane Count}'. Wis. After remain- 
ing there five years, they removed to Minne- 
sota, and in the latter part of June, 1856, 



settled in Blooming Grove Township, this 
county. In the fall of 1862, during the 
Sioux war, Gullick enlisted m Company B, 
First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, under 
Capt. Horace Austin, which were with 
the Sibley expedition in the summer of 1863, 
participating in several engagements with 
the Indians. He was mustered out at Fort 
Snelling, November 9, 1863, on account of 
expiration of term of service. In 1866 he 
returned to Wisconsin, and while there, June 
25, 1866, he was united in marriage with 
Martha Johnson, of Lodi, Columbia County, 
Wis., who was a native of Haugs, Bergen- 
stift, Norwaj% born August 20, 1844, and 
who had come to America with her parents 
in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Knutsen are the 
parents of eight children : Regina, now Mrs. 
John Knutsen, of Waseca; Valetha, now 
Mrs. O. T. Hagen ; Cora J., Jennie O., Alice 
S., Martha J., Joseph K. and Emma R. 
The last named died at the age of eighteen 
months, in 1883. After his marriage Mj'. 
Knutsen returned to Minnesota, and settled 
in Iosco Township, and remained there until 
1878, when he sold his farm there and 
removed to Blooming Grove, on section 18, 
where he now lives. His father died here 
in 1869 as stated elsewhere ; his mother is 
still a resident of the township. Mr. Knut- 
sen has held the office of town supervisor one 
year, town treasurer three years, town 
clerk, in Iosco, for four or five years, and 
is now clerk of the school district in which 
he lives. His farm consists of 120 acres of 
land, eighty of whicii is under a high state 
of cultivation, and his improvements in the 
shape of buildings are fine. He has also 
considerable good stock. 

Joseph Churchill in the summer of 1857, 
located on section 30, where he made a long 
residence, finally removing to Renville 
County, this State, where he died several 
years ago. 

Among the settlers of 1857 was James 
Isaac, who purchased a farm and remained 
on it about five years, and then sold out and 



582 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



a short time later moved to Missouri. 

Samuel Isaac, who came here with his 
father, James, i-emained at home until 1862, 
when he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota 
Infantry, and served during the war. He 
was promoted to the position of captain 
sometime before he received his discharge. 
His brother Jonathan, who enlisted at the 
same time, was killed at the battle of Altoona 
Pass. 

Andrew Nelson was born in Sweden, Au- 
gust 29, 1829, and made that country his 
home until he was twenty-four years old, 
when he came alone to America, landins' at 
Quebec, Canada. From there he went to 
Moline, 111., where he remained until fall, 
and spent the winter in Albany, the same 
State. In the spring of 18.55 he came to 
Eed "Wing, Minn., where he was employed 
some two years. In 1857 he came to this 
county and settled where he now lives, hav- 
ing preempted and proved up his claim the 
same year. In 1861 he was united in mar- 
riage with Christena Evanson, and they had 
five children : Anna Sophia, born August 
6, 1863; Nels, born March 22, 1866; Betsy, 
born September 9, 1866 ; Charles, born July 
1-1, 1868, and Rebecca, born May i, 1870. 
His first wife dying in 1872, he married 
Anna Jameson, by whom he has had six 
children: Tilda C., born June 23, 1874:; 
William Oscar, born May 21, 1876 ; Joseph 
M., born September 4, 1878 ; Henry C, born 
January 17, 1882; Minnie J., born May 24, 
1885, and Xellie L., born May 17, 1887. 
Mr. Nelson is the son of Nels and Anna Nel- 
son who both died in Sweden as did three 
of his brothers. He lias one brother and 
three sisters still living in their native land. 
Mr. Nelson is one of the early settlers of 
this county, and was quite prominent in the 
organization of this township. He has a 
very fine farm of 340 acres of excellent land 
under a good state of cultivation, and well 
stocked. He has been town supervisor and 
is and has been for many years, treasurer of 
the school district. 



Carl Johnson came to Blooming Grove 
Township and took up a claim on section 19, 
on the 17th of May, 1857, and is still a resi- 
dent of the same. He is a native of Sweden, 
born September 22. 1825. In 1853, when he 
was about twenty-eight years of age, he 
determined to emigrate to America, and 
crossing the ocean, arrived at New York, 
October 22, of that year, where they had to 
endure some days' quarantine on account 
of the cholera on board their vessel, some 
twenty-one having died durmg the passage 
over. From New York he went to Mil- 
waukee, and from there to Rockforii. 111., 
remaining two years at the latter place, 
employed in railroad work. Being there 
laid up by a long sickness, on liis recovery 
he went to the "Wisconsin pineries, where 
he remained two 3'ears longer, and then 
came to "Waseca County, as above mentioned. 
In 1859 he went back to "Wisconsin for a 
short time, and also, in 1860, made a trip to 
Ai'kansas, and remained there until the 
breaking out of the war. Returning to his 
home in this town, he was united in mar- 
riage with Julia Johnson, on the 16th of 
Jul\% 1862, and they are the parents of two 
children : John C. and Christina. Mr. 
Johnson has held the office of town super- 
visor, and is school treasurer, director and 
clerk. He has 160 acres of land, eighty of 
which is under cultivation, and owns some 
fine stock. Mrs. Johnson was born in Nor- 
way, in February, 1825, and came to Amer- 
ica in 1853, landing in New York. From 
there she proceeded by canal to Buffalo, and 
from there by boat to Sheboygan. Pro- 
ceeding b^' team to Fond du Lac, "Wis., she 
remained there until 1858, when she came to 
Vivian Townsiiip, this county, by team with 
her brother-in-law. From tjiere she went 
afoot to Faribault, wiiere she worked for 
sometime. In 1S62 she was married. She 
has never yet ridden on the cars. 

Thomas B. Jackson settled in this town- 
ship in Maj', 1858, with his three sons, W. 
H. H., Caleb and Thomas B. Jr. The elder 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



583 



Mr. Jackson purchased a farm of Mr. Walker, 
which he afterward sold and removed to 
Morristown, Rice County, where he died in 
1877. Caleb, his son, was a member of Capt. 
McKune's company, First Minnesota In- 
fantry, and after his discharge from the 
service removed to Morristown, Minn., where 
he now resides. Thomas B. Jackson en- 
listed in the Fourth Minnesota Infantry, 
and was wounded at the battle of Altoona. 
Pass, and died of the effects thereof in 1864. 
W. H. H. Jackson is still a resident of the 
township. 

"VV. H. H. Jackson, the son of Thomas B. 
and Margaret Ann Jackson, was born inCen- 
terville, Warren County, Ind., March 23, 
1840. When he was about two yeai'S of age 
the family moved to Tipton County, in the 
same State, on a farm, where they resided 
until 1855, when they removed to Webster 
County, Iowa, but two years later, or to be 
exact, in May, 1858, they came to this town 
and bought of James Walker eighty acres 
of land on section 4, the place of residence of 
W. H. H. Jackson. Here the latter has re- 
sided ever since, except during a part of the 
civil war, he having enlisted in 1863, in Com- 
pany H., Third Minnesota Infantr}'^, and saw 
considerable service, and was mustered out 
at the close of the war in 1865, when he 
returned to this county. August 8, 1858, 
Mr. Jackson and Mary Ann Eckert, daughter 
of Peter and Mary Eckert, were united in 
marriage, and are the parents of six children : 
J. W., who is a merchant at Morristown ; 
Florence Emma, now Mrs. Kev. Robertson, 
of Morris, Minn.; William E., Linda E., Har- 
mon F. and Erwin E. J. W. and Florence 
E. both attended Hamlin University. The 
father of Mrs. Jackson, who was a native of 
Pennsylvania, died about 1881, but her 
mother resides with her, a remarkably well 
preserved old lady of eighty -four years. Mr. 
Jackson now has the old homestead of eighty 
on section 4, and an adjoining eighty in Rice 
Count\\ 

William Reinhardt was born in Berlin, 



Germany, February 10, 1850, where he lived 
until 1855, when his people, consisting of 
father, mother, two brothers and two sis- 
ters, sailed for America, landing at New 
York City. From there they went to Illi- 
nois, where they remained two years, after 
which the}^ came to Waseca County, and pur- 
chased the farm on section 12, where AV"ill- 
iam still resides. Mr. Reinhardt's father 
died in 1876, in Blooming Grove. His mother 
is living with her son, Justus. The two sis- 
ters, Amelia and Mary, are both married. 
Mr. Reinhardt was united in the holy bonds 
of matrimony, in 1878, to Caroline Kruger. 
They have been blessed with five children : 
Benjamin W., born Januar}'^ 12, 1880; Emma 
B., January 12, 1882 ; Estella, October 29, 
1883 ; Ervin F., June 4, 1885, and George, 
January 19, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Kruger, the 
parents of Mrs. Reinhardt, are residents of 
Deerfield Township, Steele County. Justus, 
a brother, is also a resident of same town ; 
Carl, the other brother, is not a resident of 
this section of country. 

Justus Reinhardt is a native of Henry 
County, 111., born October 12, 1857, but when 
he was but about one year old, the family emi- 
grated to the great and growing State of 
Minnesota, and settled on a farm on section 
12, Blooming Grove, where Justus was 
reared. He resided with his parents until 
his father died in 1876, and then was one 
of the remaining stays of his mother, remain- 
ing with her until 1883, when he was united 
in marriage with Helen Fehmer, and pur- 
chased the farm on section 14 where he now 
lives, when his mother came to live with him 
and is still an inmate of his house. Mrs. 
Reinhardt is the daughter of John and 
Sophia Fehmer, of Deerfield Township, 
Steele County, where they are now living. 
]\Ir. Reinhardt has one of the finest farms 
in the town; it contains some 240 acres of land, 
seventy of which is well tilled and cultivated. 
Mr. and Mrs. Reinhardt are the parents of 
two children : Louis Henr\% born July 28, 
1884, and Mabel Anna, born October 19, 



584 



HISTOKT OF WASECA COUNTY. 



1886. He is the present town supervisor, 
and holds the oflSce of clerk of the district 
scliDol board. 

FIKST ITEMS. 

The first birth in the township was that 
of Lovica, daughter of Alfred C. Smith, who 
was born October 15, 1855. She is living in 
"Woodville Township, this county, and is the 
wife of H. N. Carlton. 

The fii'st death was that of Mrs. Josiah 
Smith, who died in the fall of 1856, and 
was buried in what is known as the Old 
Settlers' cemetery, the first to be interred 
therein. 

The next deaths to occur were those of 
John and Martin Hand, of this township, 
who died in Eice County, in the fall of 1856, 
where they were at work. Maklen Riegle 
died also in this township in 1856. Another 
death in the township under peculiar circum- 
stances was that of Henry Howell, a brother 
of Jonathan, in the winter of 1858. He 
was returning from Faribault, where he had 
been stopping in company with his brother, 
in a sleigh, and getting out to warm himself b}^ 
walking, his brother drove on to Hersh's mill, 
a short distance away, where he remained for 
a time. Not knowing of his stopping, Henry 
passed right on, and not arriving at his desti- 
nation search was instituted, and after some 
trouble and difficulty found his body. He 
had fi'ozen to death. 

The first furrow was ploughed by Johnson 
Bell, Wyman and Howell, in 1855. 

As near as can be ascertained AV. H. H. 
Jackson and Mary Eckert were the first to 
assume the marriage vows in Bloomino- 
Grove Township, on August 8, 1858, Daniel 
Eiegle, justice of the peace, officiating. On 
his first election to this office, he had given 
it out that the first parties married by him 
should get off without any fee ; but as cir- 
cumstances alter cases, when called upon it 
was too hard times and the little fee was 
very acceptable, nor did Mr. Jackson be- 
grudge the little amount on that occasion. 

A school building was erected in the sprmg 



of 1857, in this part of the district, which 
comprised a portion of the two townships of 
Woodville and Blooming Grove, then known 
as No. 1. It was put up on the subscription 
plan, each man hauling so many logs and 
contributing some money to purchase nails, 
glass, etc. When all the materials were on 
the ground, a bee was made which put up 
the structure. That summer a twelve-week 
school was taught by Mrs. Lin a Hughes. 
This is now district No. 7, but was the first 
district organized in the county. 

Tlie schoolhouse in district No. 3 was 
erected in 1857, of logs, the whole district 
taking a part in building it. Nails, glass, 
etc., were procured by subscription. This 
building was in use until 1875, when it was 
rebuilt and enlarged to its present capacity, 
and now has two rooms, being a graded 
school with two teachers. 

The fii'st reliffious oi-jjanization was made 
by the German Methodist Episcopal Society 
in 1856. The first services were held at the 
house of Christian Eemund by Eev. Mr. 
G roechtenmey er. 

The cemeterj'^ adjoining on the north was 
instituted in 1860, and the first burial there 
was that of the body of Samuel T. Eemund. 

The first postoffice in the township was 
that known as Swaversey, established about 
1857, with Mrs. William Gibbs as postmis- 
tress. It was located on the land of William 
Gibbs, at his residence on section 5. Mr. 
Gibbs was carrier of the mails. The office 
jmssed finally into the hands of James David- 
son, who removed it to his residence, and 
the name changed to Blooming Grove. It 
was discontinued in 1880. 

ORGANIC. 

What is now Blooming Grove was organ- 
ized with a portion of Woodville, in the early 
part of 1857, under the name of Swaversey 
precinct. The first election was held at the 
house of Ole Knutson, and Patrick Healey, 
Lewis McKune and Ole Knutson were the 
judges of election. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtTNTY. 



585 



In April, 1858, the board of county com- 
missioners set off what is now included in 
the township, and ordered its organization 
under the name of Blooming Grove. Elec- 
tion took place at the house of Patrick 
Healey, and that gentleman and James 
Isaac and J. M. Bhvens were the judges of 
election. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The German Methodist Church located on 
section 9 was put up by that congregation 
in 1885, at a cost of $3,000. This society is 
the outgrowth of the first religious services 
held in the township at the house of Chris- 
tian Remund, in 1856. They held services 
at that place until 1860, when they erected 
a church on the site of the present large one. 
The various pastors that have ministered 
here were : Revs. Groechtenme_yer, Henry 
Boettcher, Frederick Hermsmeier, Henry 
Schuittker, F. W. Bucholz, George Hoerger, 
William Rottert, Adam Miiller, Charles 
HoUman, William Pagenart, Daniel Pfaff, 
John Spiker and J. C. Jahn, the present one. 

The German Methodist Church on section 
1 was erected in 1873, and was then a brick- 
veneered structure. This remained for some 
years, but finally began to break off and 
crumble down ; so in 1885 it was remodeled 
and altered into a frame building. It is 
32x48 feet in size with a fine spire about 75 
feet high. Previous to the building of the 
church the society held services at the resi- 
dence of John L. Saufferer, and continued to 
do so for some eight years. After this they 
held meetings in the schoolhouse until the 
erection of the church. The society was 
organized in 1858. The pastors have been 
the same as the above church, both being one 
charge. 

The Norwegian Lutheran Church, on sec- 
tion 19, was erected by this congregation in 
1864. At that time the frame was gotten 
up and the building enclosed and finished at 
a later date. The first meeting in the town- 
ship held by the Lutherans was at the house 
of Alex. Herlugsen, on the 17th of October, 



1858, and a society was organized at that 
time. Then there were some twenty-seven 
families connected with the chui-ch. Rev. 
Lauer Larsen was the first pastor. He was 
succeeded by Rev. B. J. Muus, and he by 
Quammen. Rev. O. A. Mellby, of New Rich- 
land, is the present pastor. 

PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

Among other representative citizens of 
this township who have helped to develop 
its resources, are the following mentioned : 

Weston Mosher was born in Genesee 
County, N. Y., and with his parents resided 
there until he was nine years of age, when they 
removed to Erie County in the same State. 
While there he was united in marriage with 
Lucy Bishop, and later removed to Ohio. 
After this he came west, living some time in 
Illinois, m Kenosha, Wis., and again in Lake 
County, 111. He at that time followed black- 
smithing and wagonmaking. He j'emoved 
from there to Fillmore County, Minn., where 
he practiced medicine for several years, when 
he came to his present location, on section 
6, and took up agricultural pursuits. In 
1855, in Fillmore County, his wife died, leav- 
ing ten children : Orpha, Iva, Juliette, 
George, Lauretta, Marietta, Lucy, Weston, 
Austin and Emily. In 1859 he again en- 
tered the marriage state with Adelia Yar- 
rington, and they are the parents of six chil- 
dren : Adelia, Alice, Ellen, Ida, Edwin and 
Cora. Mr. Mosher has a farm of some fifty 
acres of land. 

Francis Brossard is the son of Augustus 
and Agatha Besoncon, of French ancestry. 
He was born at Lennox, Mass., November 18, 
1833, and resided there until he had reached 
the age of eighteen, when the whole family 
removed to Fall River, Columbia County, 
Wis., but after a residence of eight years 
there, they came to Waseca County. Mr. 
and Mrs. Augustus Brossard were the parents 
of ten children : Francis, Augustus, Edward, 
Charles, Joseph, Julia, now Mrs. 0. James, 
of Waterville ; Adele, Mrs. Constant Bross- 



586 



UTSTOET OF WASECA COUNTY. 



ard, of "Wisconsin ; Eosalie, Mrs. O. P. Smith, 
of Tennessee ; Louise, Mrs. J. E. Jones, of 
Iosco, and Josephine, Mrs. D. T. Ballard. 
"When the Brossards came to this county, in 
1859, this was a new country, and the}' can 
give some very pathetic ancedotes in regard 
to the liardships of the early pioneers. On 
the 4th of May, 1863, Francis Brossard and 
Mary E. Brossard were united in marriage, 
in Blooming Grove. They are the parents 
of one child, Florentine E., who was married 
February 1, 1886, to Minnie L. Lafayette, 
and they are the parents of one cliikl, 
Mabel A. 

Jens T. Dahle, a native of Norway, was 
born on a farm, March 25, 1839, and lived 
with his parents until he had reached the 
age of fourteen, and then worked for other 
parties for about four years. In 1858 he em- 
igrated to America, landing at Quebec, Can- 
ada. From there he made his way to Rice 
County, Minn., where he worked for various 
parties, usually at extremely low wages. 
January 22, 1862, he enlisted in the second 
company Minnesota Sharpshooters, who 
were attached to Col. Berdan's command. 
"With them he participated in the engage- 
ment at Hanover Courthouse, after which 
he was transferred to the First Minnesota 
Infantry, joining them at Fair Oaks in June. 
He participated in all the bloody battles of 
the Chickahominy swamps, and in all others 
in which the famous First Minnesota was 
engaged, except Antietam and Fredericks- 
burg, up to the time he was taken prisoner 
at Ream's Station, August 24, 1864. He was 
also in the battles of the "Wilderness, Spots- 
sylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Deep 
Bottom and Petersburg. He was an inmate 
of the rebel prison pens of Libby and 
Belle Isle, Va., and Salisbury, N. C.,and was 
then taken back to Richmond and paroled, 
reaching the Federal lines March 13, 1865, 
nearly three months after his time of enlist- 
ment had expired. He was then in a shock- 
ing state of health, and was sent to Annap- 
olis, Md., to the parole camp, and from there 



to Columbus and St. Louis in a box car. 
There getting a furlough he came as far as 
Chicago, where he became much worse in 
health, entered the hospital and lay there 
very low. Recovering to some extent he 
reached St. Paul, where he received his dis- 
charge. For two years succeeding the war 
he was engaged in the grocery business at 
Faribault, Minn., and then came to this 
county and engaged in farming, he having 
lately purchased the farm of Philo "Wood- 
raff, and now has 160 acres of land, fifty of 
which is under cultivation. February 7, 1886, 
he was united in marriage with Anna Olena 
Seim, whose parents are natives of Norwa}'. 
They are the parents of one child, Theodore, 
born March 22, 1887. 

E. J. "Wolf was born in AVheeling, Cook 
County, 111., April 5, 1858, and resided thei'e 
until he was some four j'ears old, when his 
parents removed to Goodhue County, Minn., 
settling upon a farm, where his father still 
lives, the mother dying December 20, 1886. 
In 1879 E. J. "Wolf went to Lincoln County, 
this State, and took up a claim of 160 acres 
of land, which he afterward sold and then 
came to Waseca County and purchased the 
farm on section 2, where he now lives. In 
March, 1883, he was united in marriage with 
Barbara Bollenbach, born in Rice County, 
Minn., August 5, 1859. They have had born 
to them one child, Alice, now two yeai's of 
age. Mr. "Wolf has seven brothers and two 
sisters living, and his wife six brothers and 
five sisters. Her parents are still living in 
Rice Count}^ both liaving passed their half 
century in age. Mr. "Wolf has a most excel- 
lent farm, and thoroughly understands hand- 
ling it to attain the best results. i 

Julius Schuette was born in Prussia, Ger- * 
many, November 26, 1848, and resided in 
his native land until he was some five years 1 1 
of age, when the family came to America, 
and for a time lived in "Warsaw, Minn., and 
then came to Blooming Grove Township. 
The mother of Julius died here in 1868, the 
father in 1883, and they are buried in the 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



587 



cemetery of the German Methodist Episcopal 
Church, together with two of their children : 
Augusta, who died in 1870, and Charles, 
who was killed in 1885 by a load of timber 
falling on him. Rev. Edward Schuette, a 
brother of Julius, was ordained a minister at 
the early age of twenty, and is now in charge 
of the German Episcopal Church at Charles 
City, Iowa. In 1878, at the residence of the 
bride's father, Hon. John L. Saufferer, Julius 
Schuette and Henrietta Saufferer, the eldest 
daughter, were united in holy matrimony, 
and they are the parents of two children : 
Arthur and Mabel, deceased. They have a 
very pleasant farm, and the land evinces a 
high state of cultivation. 

Rev. J. C. Jahn was born in Prussia, July 
1, 1839. At the age of seventeen he came to 
America, landing at Baltimore. From there 
he went to St. Paul, Minn., and engaged in a 
general store as salesman, which occupation 
he followed for several years. In 1861 he 
enlisted in the First Minnesota Cavalry, and 
was ordered from Fort Snelling to St. Louis. 
This regiment acted as bod}' -guard to Gen. 
Halleck, and participated in tlie battles 
of Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson, Shiloh 
and Granville, in the latter of which he was 
wounded by a saber-cut on the left leg and 
taken prisoner. Was taken to Jackson, 
Miss., and Corinth, and there paroled. He 
was discharged in July, 1863. He then 
engaged again as salesman, and worked one 
year. In 1864 he was married to Christina 
Hartung, and for a few years thereafter 
followed farming. He then studied for the 
ministry, and was ordained a minister of the 
Methodist Episcopal Clnirch in 1870, and 
took the Blooming Grove charge in 1886, 
after labors elsewhere. He is a graduate of 
the Erfurt high school and military school 
of Gernlany. Mr. and Mrs. Jahn are the 
parents of ten children, six of whom are 
living, they having lost the other four in 
one winter, by diphtheria. 

Henry Behne was born on a farm in Han 
over, Germany, April 29, 1839, and resided 



in the country of his birth until 1853, when 
he and his sister, Mena Lotweizer, and her 
husband started across the ocean for Amer- 
ica's shore. Landing in New York, they 
proceeded to Will County, 111., where Mr. 
Behne worked out for two years, and then 
came to Minnesota and was employed at 
several places in the vicinity of Faribault. 
March 28, 1860, he and Hannah Mtiller were 
united in matrimony, and immediately after 
he rented a farm and tilled the soil thereof 
for two years, and then purchased the farm 
on section 15, in this town, where he now 
lives. Mrs. Behne is the daughter of Fred- 
erick and Minnie Miiller, both of whom died 
in the fatherland. Mr. Behne has a fine farm 
of 280 acres of land, and has fine buildings, 
making his surroundings very pleasant and 
agreeable, and, being only six miles from 
the city of Waseca, is quite convenient to 
market and store. Mr. and Mrs. Behne are 
the parents of eight children: Henry W., 
Emma, now Mrs. Henry Beck ; George, 
August, Mary, Ida, Willie and Louis. The 
last named died at the age of eleven years. 
Mr. Belme's parents, William and Sophia 
Behne, came to America in 1855, and located 
in Will County, III., but later came to Steele 
County, where the father died in 1876, and 
where the mother is still living with her 
youngest son, August. 

Henry Singenstrue was born in Oelber, 
Germany, November 16, 1821, where he 
lived until 1852, when he sailed for America, 
landing in New Orleans. From there he 
went to Cincinnati, and stayed about six 
months, then to Newport, Ky., where he re- 
mained one year. In 1854 he came to Red 
Wing, Minn., and bought a claim that had 
been taken up, and remained on this, making 
improvements, for about two years. He 
then rented it for two years, he having ob- 
tained the appointment as misionary of the 
German Methodist Episco2)al Society. This 
latter he followed for sixteen years, his work 
calling him part of the time to Wisconsin, 
and as far north in Minnesota as the Indian 



588 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



agencj', which was at that time near what is 
now the village of Kedwood Falls. Mr. Sin- 
genstrue was married in September, 1861, to 
Salome Eider, a native of Switzerland. They 
have had born to them three children : Amelia 
born September 11, 1862 ; Berta, who died 
at the age of eleven months, and Lydia, 
born November 23, 1866. Amelia and Lydia 
are still at home. Mr. S. during the summer 
of 1857 assisted Kev. Groechtenmeyer in 
his labors in the vicinity. 

C. W. Knauss is the son of Christian and 
Margaret (Popp) Knauss, and was born in 
Cook County, 111., March 25, 1867. His 
father was a native of Alsace, France, born 
May 28, 1834. The parents of Christian 
Sr. were engaged in the culture of grapes 
and making of wine in France, but about 1846 
they emigrated to America, settling in Cook 
County, 111., where they died. Christian 
Sr. came to Minnesota about 1881. He was 
the father of nine children : John, Charles, 
Christian W., Henry, William, Bertha, Car- 
rie, died in Illinois ; Benjamin and Edward. 
John, the eldest son, was married to Anna 
Wolf in 1884, and they have one child, 
Esther ; Charles is a blacksmith in St. Paul ; 
C. W. has the general management of the 
home farm, and resides with his father and 
mother in a fine brick residence built in 
1876, and suri'ounded by a fine barn and 
other farm buildings. The\' have 280 acres 
of land, ISO of which are under cultivation. 

Christian Sutter, an enterprising agri- 
culturist who owns some two hundred 
and nine acres of fine land on section 
8, Blooming Grove Township, was born 
in the village of Bergen, in the can- 
ton of Berne Oberamt, Arrsberg, Switz- 
erland, May 6, 1842. In 1851 the family, 
consisting of the father, mother and six chil- 
dren, came to the United States, landing in 
New York. From there they came west as 
far as Joliet, 111., where they settled and 
where the old folks died, the father in 1852, 
tlie mother in 1872. Christian remained at 
home until August 13, 1862, when he en- 



listed under Capt. H. P. Goddard in Com- 
pany H, One Hundreth Illinois Infantry, 
and participated in all the marching and 
engagements of that celebrated regiment. 
Among the latter may be mentioned those 
of Stone River bridge, Chattanooga, Chicka 
mauga. Lookout Mountain, Hatchie Eiver, 
Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Atlanta, 
Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station, Columbia, 
Franklin and Nashville. He was mustered 
out at Nashville, June 12, 1865, and at Chi- 
cago, 111., on the 3d of July following, re- 
ceived his pay and final discharge, and re- 
turned to Will County, 111., where he fol- 
lowed farming for a year, and in 1866 came 
to Waseca Count}'. March 16, 1868, he was 
married to Caroline F. A. Canne, who was 
born March 16, 1849, by whom he has had 
ten children : Ida A., born April 28, 1871 ; 
Charles F., born June 2, 1872.; Emma H., 
born September 21, 1873; Albert J., born 
February 6, 1875 ; Edward O., October 19, 
1876; Christian B., born June 27, 1878; 
Clara L., born March 26, 1880 ; Amelia P., 
born January 6, 1882; Benjamin F., Janu- 
ary 7, 1884, and Caroline, born December 
30, 1885. 

John Leonard Bahr was born in Saxony, 
(-rermany, August 18, 1847, where he lived 
until 1853, when he, with his parents and 
two sisters, sailed for America and located 
in Waukesha County, Wis., where they lived 
until 1867, when they immigrated to Minne- 
sota, locating in Deerfield Township, Steele 
Count}', his father purchasing a farm on 
section 18 of that town. John L. remained 
at home until 1873. March 26, 1872, he 
married Julia Reineke, the ceremony tak- 
ing place at the residence of Henry Reineke, 
the bride's brother. After leaving home in 
1873, Mr. Bahr jiurchased a farm on section 
18, in Deerfield Township, where he lived 
four years and then purchased the 160-acre 
farm on section 15, Blooming Grove Town- 
ship, Waseca County, where he still resides. 
They have had born to them six children : 
Matilda, born February 17, 1873 ; Henrietta, 




c.-'Jco:^-^ L^!^^.:^?/^^^^?-^'^-^^^ 



foECEASEOj 



HISTORY OF WASECA COIINTT. 



591 



born March 7, 1875 ; George, born October 
8, 1876 ; Lydia, born September 21, 1878 : 
Carl, born February 12, 1881, and Amanda, 
born February 20,1885, all of whom are living. 

"While on the road from New York City 
to Waukesha County, Mr. Nicholas Bahr, 
father of John, on the train had the misfor- 
tune of losing by death a small daughter two 
and one-half j'ears old. When the officers 
of the road found that the child was dead 
they stopped the train, after they had left 
Detroit about five miles, and insisted on his 
leaving the train with the child, which he 
did, carrying the dead body to Detroit, and 
there buried it the next day. 

Mr. J. L. Bahr's parents are both living 
and are residents of Deerfield, Steele County, 
on the farm where they first located. Mr. 
Bahr had two sisters, and one brother who 
was born in Waukesha County, Wis., April 
7, 1858, and who is now a resident of section 
18, Deerfield Township, Steele County. The 
remaining sister is also a resident of Deer- 
field, now the wife of Geo. Gleichmann. Mrs. 
John L. Bahr has three brothers living ; 
two are residents of Deerfield and the other 
is living in Morristown, Rice County. Her 
mother lives with the brother in Morris- 
town. The father died in Deerfield in 1862, 
and is buried in the Methodist Episcopal 
cemetery at Blooming Grove. 

Ernest Nordmier is a native of Hesse, 
Germany, born March 2, 1843. He resided 
in the country of his birth until he was fifteen 
years old, when in company with his sister 
Mena, now Mrs. Christopher Eommal, of 
Iowa, he came to America. His mother 
died in Germany in 1860, and is buried at 
Bassingfeld. The father came to America 
and died in Lake County, 111., in 1864, and is 



buried there. Mr. Nordmier has three broth- 
ers still in the old country, as is also one sis- 
ter ; two brothers, William and Fred., live in 
Big Stone County, this State ; another brother, 
Henry, lives in Lake County, 111. Mr. 
Nordmier was married in 1868 to Gottlieben 
Oehler, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, 
and they have been the parents of eight 
cliildren : Ernest, Willie, Lydia, Bertha, 
Amelia, Mena, Louisa, Emma, and one that 
died in infancy. Mr. Nordmier has a fine 
farm of 180 acres of land, 100 of which is 
under cultivation. He is also the owner of 
some fine grade stock, and is nicely fixed. 

Louis Beisner was born in Hesse, Germany, 
January 25, 1837, where he lived until sev- 
enteen years of age. Then he and his brother 
Henr}'^ and two sisters sailed for America. 
Landing in New York, they came to Cook 
County, 111., where they did a farming busi- 
ness for ten or twelve years. During this 
time, in the3'ear 1861, he was united in mar- 
riage with Minnie Roper. In 1866, he and 
his family moved overland to Waseca 
County, locating in Blooming Grove Town- 
ship, purchasing a farm on section 11, where 
he still resides. They have had born to 
them eight children : Henry, born February 
9, 1863 ; Charles, November 30, 1864, died 
June 2, 1880; Louis, born June 13, 1868, 
died May 19, 1880 ; Emar, born March 13, 
died April 11, 1867 ; Mena, April 11, 1871, 
died May 12, 1880 ; Emma, born November 
25, 1873, died May 9, 1880; Willie, born 
May 24, 1876, died May 18, 1880, and Eddie, 
born May 1, 1880. Mr. Beisner's father 
died in Germany. He has two brothers in 
Kansas ; one sister, Mrs. Mena Kruger, in 
Cook County, 111., and one sister died in 
Illinois, at the age of twenty-two. 



34 



CHAPTER XX. 




OTISCO TOWNSHIP. 



JHE territory embraced in the 
township of Otisco is designated 
on the survey plats as township 
106 north, range 22 west. It lies 
upon the eastern line of the 
county, the second from the south 
edge. The most of the surface of 
this portion of the county is mod- 
erately rolling, although it some- 
times becomes quite hilly. Scattered drift 
hills and mounds of the morainic belt are 
largel}'^ predominant througliout a portion, 
and in part these tracts are pretty well 
sprinkled with boulders, remains of the gla- 
cial period. 

The soil, the rich, dark loam of southern 
Minnesota, yields abundantlj' to a generous 
cultivation, and some of the finest land in 
this part of the State is to be found here. 
"Well drained by the Le Sueur Kiver and its 
tributaries, ample facilities are also afforded 
by these streams and the smaller affluents 
for the purpose of watering stock. Groves 
of timber dot its surface and follow the 
course of the rivers and creeks, diversifying 
the view and adding materially to the 
wealth and natural resources of Otisco. 

EARLY SETfLKMENT. 

In April, 1S55, two brothers, William and 
George Kobbins by name, came to the little 
settlement in this county, and took up claims 
on the east side of the Le Sueur River, oppo- 
site tiie site of the village of Wilton, but in 
this township. These were the first settlers 
in Otisco. In the summer of 1856 they sold 
their claims to Watters and Chamberlain. In 
a short time after this they removed west to 
the Blue Earth County, where one of them 
still lives. 



Michael Anderson settled in what is now 
Otisco, in July, 1855. Mr. Anderson was 
a native of Norway, a fine man, and a leader 
among his countrymen here. About eight 
years ago he left here and is now in Clay 
County. 

Burgiff Oleson was the next to make a 
settlement in the territory now known as 
Otisco, coming here in the fall of 1855, and 
settling on section 32, where he preempted 
160 acres of land, where he now lives. He 
has added many improvements to the place 
in the way of a fine residence, good out-build- 
ings and an excellent barn 46x6-1 feet in size. 
He is a native of Norway, born February 
21, 1828, and came to America in May, 1851. 
Settling in Dodge County, Wis., at first, he 
was there married, September 16, 1855, to 
Julia Anderson, who was born in Norway, 
March 14-, 1837. They then came to this 
count}' as above stated. They have lived 
here ever since, and have been the parents of 
twelve children : Ole, born July 6, 1856 ; 
Andrew, born November 19, 1858, died Octo- 
ber 7, 1861 ; Christian, born March 6, 1865, 
died March 12, 1865 ; Julia, born February 
4, 1861, died February 6, 1861; Christian, 
born April 22, 1866, died March 8, 1874. 
Andrew, born August 29, 1862 ; Sarah, 
November 9, 1868 ; Julia, September 4, 1870 ; 
Mary, October 19, 1873 ; Christian, Novem- 
ber 4, 1876; Sophia, October 10, 1879, and 
Julius, June 16, 1883. The first year Mr. 
Oleson spent in this county, his shanty, which 
was covered with a hay roof, was burned 
down a bitter cold day in the middle of that 
cold winter, and his wife froze her hands 
severely in going to her neighbor, Michael 
Anderson's. During the war Mr. Oleson 



593 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtTNTY. 



593 



was drafted into the arra^^but the town rais- 
ing the requisite number of men by substi- 
tutes, he was not compelled to go to the 
front. 

The next to make a settlement here were 
Robert and Hugh McDougal, who came here 
in the fall of ISoo, and took up their claims 
on the northwest quarter of section 6, where 
they put up a cabin and kept " bach." 

Robert McDougal was born amid the high- 
lands of Scotland, March 26, 1821, but when 
he was as yet but a small boy, his parents left 
their native home and settled in Canada, 
near where the present town of Guelph now 
stands. In this vast wilderness Robert was 
reared and inured to the hardships of a 
pioneer life. In 1854 he and his brother 
Hugh came to Iowa, and in the fall oi 1855 
to this place. Each entered a claim where 
the present McDougal farm now is, and 
commenced baching, for they were both un- 
married. They, as well as their neighbors, 
the Robbins boys, had filed their claims 
without thinking of declaring their inten- 
tions of becoming naturalized citizens of the 
United States, believing that it could as well 
be done at the time of proving up their 
claim. But this was not strictly legal, so 
some parties proceeded to jump their claim, 
Avitli the result, as is related elsewhere at 
length, of being compelled to quit, them- 
selves. A few years aftei- this they proved 
up their claims and Hugh returned to Can- 
ada, where he still resides. Robert, packing 
up his traps, and with a horse and wagon 
started for the western mountain mines. He 
spent a year at the mines at the head of the 
Saskatchawan River, then crossed over the 
Rocky Mountains into Washington Terri- 
tory, whei'e lie remained until about 1860. 
After a short visit here he returned to Can- 
ada, where he remained several years. On 
the 6th of April, 1866, he was united in mar- 
riage with Annie McKersie, at Toronto, and 
immediately afterward came to their farm 
in this county. They were the parents of 
nine children : Catherine L., born December 



7, 1866 ; Annie R., July 22, 1868, married 
Frank Erfurth, January 1, 1886, and is the 
mother of one child, Anna M., born March 
10, 1887; Jeannette C, March 26, 1870; 
William W., August 12, 1872 ; Robert B., 
June 15, 1874 ; Maggie G., May 6, 1876 ; 
Bessie C, March 1,1878; Isabella M., No- 
vember i, 1880, and Hugh P., April 27, 1882. 
Mr. McDougal gave his name to one of the 
creeks of this county. On the 15th of Jan- 
uaiy, 1S87, he was called by death to his re- 
ward beyond the grave, and his remains lie 
buried in Wilton cemetery. His wife has a 
fine farm of some two hundred acres, about 
seventy of which are under cultivation. 

Ferdinand Turnacliff and his sons, Jackson 
and Delevan, came to Waseca County in 
1855, and settled in this township. All are 
still residents of the county, living in Wilton 
Township. 

G. Goetzenberger settled on section 21 in 
this township, in November, 1855, bringing 
his family with him from Galena, 111. He 
was a native of Wittemburg, Germany, born 
in 1814, and came to the United States in 
1853. He is now a resident of the city of 
Waseca. 

Bernard Bunchell, now in Portland, Ore., 
came to this place in 1855, and remained 
many years. 

J. G. Greening made a settlement here in 
1855, and remained here until his death. 

Austin Abell, a native of New York, came 
to this township in September, 1855, and 
made a claim. During the war he was a 
member of the Eleventh Minnesota Infantry. 
He took up his claim on section 11, the place 
now owned by his cousin, John S. Abell. 
He is now a resident of Winona. 

On the 9th of June, 1856, H. A. Mosher 
landed in Otisco, where he took up a claim. 
He was afterward identified with the offi- 
cial life of the county, and a sketch of him 
is given in the chapter relating to the office 
of register of deeds, which he filled for many 
years, dying while an incumbent of the 
same in 1884. 



594 



HISTOKY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



E. E. Stearns came to this township in 1856 
and made a settlement, and is still a resident. 

Ebenezer B. Stearns, one of Waseca 
County's successful farmers, is a native of 
Eeedsboro, Vt., born October 1, 1812. In 
February, 1817, the family removed to On- 
ondaga County, ]Sr. Y., wliere he was reared. 
When he had attained manhood he adopted 
the trade of carpenter and joiner and built 
several mills and other buildings while in New 
York State. In 18-17 he went to Belleville, 
Canada where he was engaged in erecting a 
mill. In June, 1853, he came with his 
father's family to Fond du Lac, Wis., and 
from there came to Minnesota in 1856, ar- 
riving here on the 5th of August. He settled 
on 160 acres of land on section 29 and lived 
thei'B for ten years, when he sold his farm to 
J. B. Chapman, and moved to Lemond Town- 
ship, Steele County, but after one year's resi- 
dence there, returned to this town and pur- 
chased 210 acres of land, on section 19, 
where he now lives. He has since added 
eighty acres to his farm, and now has 290 
acres in all. August 2, 1851, he was united 
in marriage with Emily Garrett, who was 
born in Albany County, N. Y., September 7, 
1829. They have had six children as fol- 
lows : Susan Ellen, born September 5, 1852, 
Avho married Frank W. Weed, January 7, 
1878, and died October 13, 1883 ; George B., 
born December 26, 1854, married Jennie R. 
Weed, July 18, 1877; William H., born 
May 26, 1859, married Sarah Arraitage, a 
native of Yorkshire, England, IVCay 14, 1884, 
born December 17, 1857, and came to the 
United States in 1882 ; Mary E., born July 
9, 1862, married Rev. Melvin R. Baldridge, 
July 11, 1882 ; Cora Isabel, born April 2, 1865, 
and Charles Albert, born May 11, 1878. Mr. 
Stearns has held the office of county com- 
missioner three terms, that of town supervisor 
for three terms, and justice of the peace 
three terms. He is a strong Prohibitionist. 

J. A. Canfield came to Waseca County in 
1856, and settled in Otisco. He came here 
from Dodge County, Wis., and arrived on 



the 9th of June. He served for many years 
as judge of the probate court of this county, 
but died in Januar}', 1884, and is noticed at 
length in the chapter relating to State and 
County Representation. 

Silas Grover came to what is now the 
town of Otisco in 1856, and taking up a 
claim, settled there and remained a resident 
for many years. April 12, 1870, in Waseca, 
he passed over to the land beyond the grave, 
at the advanced age of seventy-seven j'ears. 

William Smith, now a citizen of Dixon, 
111., came here in the fall of 1856, and lived 
here some years. 

W. S. Baker, afterward the first treasurer 
of the county, settled in Otisco on coming 
to Waseca County, in 1856. A sketch of liim 
is given in Chapter VIII. 

Harlow Williams and James Wells, two 
young men and unmarried, came here in 
1856 and took up claims, and after proving 
up the same, sold out and left tiiis county. 

Mr. Flowers, the father of Mark D. Flow- 
ers, the State adjutant-general, was a settler 
here in 1856. He resided here but a short 
time, when he removed to Meriden, Steele 
County, and later to St. Paul. 

Parselus Young came here in 1856 and 
made a claim, but moved away a few years 
later. During- the war he enlisted among the 
" brave boys in blue," and rose to the rank 
of colonel of a colored regiment. 

H. G. Mosher made his first appearance 
on the stage of Waseca County on the 10th 
of October, 1856. Mr. Mosher resided here 
for many years, filling several important 
public offices, and is mentioned at length in 
that connection. The first winter after Mi\ 
Abell brought his family here, H. G. Moshei", 
his wife and two children lived in the cabin 
of J. S. Abell, who also liad a wife and two 
children. This cabin was but 16x20 feet in 
size and was considerably crowded. 

AdamBishman, still residing here, located 
in Otisco in 1856. He is a native of Ger- 
many, born March 27, 1824, and came to 
this country in 1846. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



595 



Benjamin, John and George Northup 
came to Otisco in 1S56, and for many years 
resided here. 

Zachariah Ilolbrook made a settlement 
here in 1856. He was a native of western 
New York. He was one of the few men 
who although comparatively uneducated was 
a most excellent financier. He died in this 
township in March, 1886. 

Ole Peterson, a native of Norway, made a 
settlement here in 1856, and is now a resi- 
dent of the township. 

Charles Johnson was another of the Nor- 
wegian emigrants that founded, a home in 
Otisco Township in 1856, and is still a resi- 
dent here. 

John S. Abell, came to Otisco Township in 
January, 1857, and made a claim. He, how- 
ever, went liack to Winona, and came here 
again in the spring of 1858, and made a per- 
manent settlement. He was a native of 
New York State, and represented this dis- 
trict in the State Legislature, under which 
head a sketch of him in detail is given. 

Edward Smith came here in the spring of 
1857, and made a settlement. 

On the 10th of May, 1857, a party con- 
sisting of S. A. Farrington and wife, his 
father, mother and sister, Franklin Farring- 
ton, Mrs. Lincoln, a widow with five children, 
Volney DeWitt and wife and Michael Quig- 
gle, a young man, a blacksmith by trade, 
left Green Lake County, Wis., for the wilds 
of southern Minnesota. This little comjsany 
of emigrants were embarked in five wagons 
drawn l:)y nine yoke of oxen, and drove with 
them some cows and other cattle. Traveling 
westward through the western part of the 
" Badger State," near La Crosse, they fell in 
with another band of wayfarers, who joined 
company with them. These latter were 
Daniel Styles and wife, and their son Elijah 
and his wife. After a hard and laborious 
trip they all reached Otisco safely on the 
14th of June, and at once commenced to 
occupy the land. S. A. Farrington settled 
on section 25, where he resided for many 



years. He is living in Wilton Township at 
the present writing. 

Franklin Farrington located on section 
24 and opened up a farm. He is now a resi- 
dent of Minneapolis. Their father is still 
living in Owatonna. 

Volney DeWitt put up a cabin on a por- 
tion of section 24, but afterward removed 
to Iowa, where he now lives. 

Michael Quiggle ])ut up a blacksmith shop 
on section 26, the first in the township. 

Elijah Styles settled down to a farmer's 
life on his claim on section 15, and lived here 
until, during the war, he enlisted among 
our nation's defenders, and fills a soldier's 
grave 'neath the green sod of the Sunny 
South, djang February 16, 1863. Daniel 
Styles, his father, died in 1879, and his body 
rests peacefully in the Otisco cemetery. 

During the same spring of 1857 Philip 
Quiggle, the father of Michael, heretofore 
mentioned, came here from Wisconsin to go to 
work in the shop of his son, for he, too, was 
a blacksmith by trade. The next year the 
shop caught fire and burned to the ground. 
The old man, who had but limited means, 
thought it best to g'o to Owatonna to work 
at his trade, which he did, and the next year 
moved back to Wisconsin. 

Owen Salisbury located here in 1857. He 
was an old and feeble man, and did not attempt 
to do any farming, but kept the postoffice at 
Otisco. About the year 1860 he removed to 
Warsaw, Minn., where he kept a hotel. 
Later he moved to Wabasha County, where 
he died. 

Ole Anderson came to Otisco Township at 
an early day, and preempted 160 acres of 
land on section 35, and afterward purchased 
eighty acres more on the same section. He 
is a native of Norway, born May 16, 1832, 
and came to the United States, bringing his 
mother with him, in 1853. He first settled 
in Wisconsin, whei'e he remained until com- 
ing here. In 1863 he was married in New 
Iiichland Townshi)) to Marj'^ Knutson, who 
was born in ]Sorway, August 13, 1843, and 



596 



HISTOET OF WASECA COITNTY. 



came to America in 1853. They have been 
the parents of thirteen children : Ernest, 
born March 15, IStil, married to Barbara 
Knutson ; Julia, February 26, 1865, married 
Bank Evenson ; Knute. born Octol)er 1, 1866; 
Betsey, July 29, 1868; Ole, February 25, 
1870 ; Sarah, February 24, 1872, died in 
infancy ; Severt, January 7, 1873, died in 
infancy; Severt, June 11, 1874 ; Nina, May 7, 
1876, died aged ten months ; Olena, January 
1,1878 ; Elbert, March 23, 1880 ; Clara, July 
19, 1882, and Minnie, September 13, 1885. 
Mr. Anderson and family are members of the 
Lutheran Church. He is a Republican in 
politics. 

John Peterson came to the town of Otisco 
in the spring of 1857, where he purchased 
eighty acres of land and homesteaded forty 
more. In addition to this he has bought 
forty acres and now has a farm of 160 acres, 
all on section 28. He is a native of Sweden, 
born February 6, 1828, and came to America 
in 1853. For the first six months after land- 
ing he was doing genei^al work in Chicago, 
and from there he went to Indiana, where 
he remained until he came to Waseca County, 
Minn. Our sul)ject was united in marriage 
in Otisco Township witli Caroline Larson, a 
native of Sweden, born March 11, 1843, and 
came to America with her parents in the 
spring of 1853. Mr. Peterson's parents died 
in the old country previous to his leaving 
there ; Mrs. Peterson's parents live in this 
township. Mr. and ]\[rs. Peterson have been 
the parents of nine children: Victor Ed- 
ward, born November 3, I860, and died July 
14, 1861 ; Carl L., April 22, 1862; Mary A., 
October 8, 1865 ; P. Victor, July 22, 1867 ; 
John August, April 5, 1871; Helena Sophia, 
March 3, 1874; Oscar Theodore and Otto 
Herman, June 23, 1876 ; and Lief, August 
18, 1879. Mr. Peterson is a Republican in 
politics, and has held the offices of supervisor, 
assessor and treasurer, the last two for many 
years. lie had the misfortune to lose his 
right arm in a thrashing-machine in October. 
1875, but manages to carry on his extensive 



farming operations successfully nevertheless. 

John Anderson came to Otisco in the 
year 1857, and made a settlement on section 
16. He is a native of Sweden, born Novem- 
ber 6, 1831. He came to the United States 
in 1853, and settled in Indiana, where, March 
29,1855, he was united in marriage with 
Mary Peterson, by whom he had one child, 
Albert, born January 10, 1856. The next 
year after the birth of his son, he came to 
AVaseca County. In 1863 he went to Roch- 
ester, and enlisted in Company D, First Min- 
nesota Heavy Artillery. He was with the 
regiment until October, 1865, when he was 
mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., and was 
discharged at Fort Snelling. December 28, 
1881, his wife died, and on the first Sunday 
in October, 1884, he was again married, this 
time to Anna Johnson. He belongs to the 
Lutheran Mission Church. 

Moses Johnson came to Otisco in 1857, 
and bought 120 acres of land on section 27, 
where he now lives. He was born near 
Stockholm, Sweden, December 14, 1831, and 
came to the United States in August, 1855. 
He at first located at Lafayette, Ind., where 
he remained until coming to this place. In 
December, 1860, he was united in marriage 
with Christina Larson, daughter of Lars 
Ilogenson, of this township. She was born 
in Sweden, June 10, 1840. They have been 
the parents of the following children : Carl 
Otto, born August 26, 1861 ; Tina, Septem- 
ber 15, 1863; Lars Edward, March 1, 1866; 
John Alfred, September 17, 1869; Emma 
Matilda, January 26, 1872; Herman Theo- 
dore, December 15, 1874, and Oscar Ren- 
halt, June 12, 1880. Mr. Johnson has held 
the offices of town supervisor and road mas- 
ter. He is a Republican in politics, and in 
religion a Lutheran. He carries on his farm 
now, but for some thirteen seasons ran a 
thrashing machine, which business he has 
turned over to his eldest son. Otto. 

Orrin and Warren Bundy came to this 
township in tlie earh^ part of 1857, and in 
July of the same year, in company with S. 



HISTOET OF WASECA COUNTY. 



597 



S. Goodrich, laid out the town site of Otisco. 

Orrin enlisted during the war, and died 
in the service. 

S. S. Goodrich and his two brothers came 
here in 1857, and in July of that year S. S. 
was one of the parties engaged in laying out 
the village of Otisco. They were also con- 
nected with the store in the village, but 
removed from liere to Lyons County, Minn. 

A man by the name of Yosberg settled 
here in 1857, and while here married a Miss 
Goodrich, and when his father-in-law re- 
moved to Lyon County, went with him. 

Among the others who came to this town- 
ship in 1857 was a man by the name of Wy- 
man, who resided here but a few years, 
when he removed to McLeod County. 

William Ashley Jones, a South Carolinian, 
took up a claim on section 5, at a ver}' early 
da3% but never made any improvements, and 
soon removed to Winona. 

Two Germans by the name of Michael 
Wanka and Wilhelm Wilke, came here in 
1857, and purchased land on section 16, where 
they lived some years. They are both now 
in Olmsted County. 

Peter Lindsay took up some land in this 
town in 1857, but his residence was erected 
in Woodville. 

S. S. Griggs was one of the pioneers of 
the year 1858. He, in connection with Obert, 
at one time owned the sawmill at Otisco. 
About the year 1861 he removed to Kasota. 
He never was a farmer while here, being en- 
gaged only in the lumbering business. 

John Nelson came to this township in 
1858 and settled on section 28, on which he 
now lives. He is a native of Sweden, born 
March 6, 1830. He came to the United 
States in 1853, and remained in Indiana for 
some years, working among the farmers of 
that State. From there he came to Cannon 
Falls, Minn., where he arrived May 25, 1858, 
and remaining in that place until the 24th 
of the following October, he then came 
here, taking up eighty acres of land with a 
land warrant, to which he has added forty 



acres more on section 21, purchased of the 
railroad company. He was married in 
Sweden, in the year 1852, to Annie John- 
son, and they were the parents of one child, 
Hattie, born April 27, 1853, now the wife of 
Frank Lombard, living in this town. On 
the 1st of February, 1854, his wife depart- 
ing this life, he lived alone until October, 
1856, when he and Charlotte Peterson were 
united in marriage. They have had born to 
them the following children : P. August, 
born in 1863 ; Charles, born April 1, 1871, 
died February 6, 1873; Caroline, born 1873, 
and William in 1874 . 

Joseph Minges made a settlement in this 
township m 1858, and is still a resident of 
the same. He is noticed at length in Chapter 
VIII of this work. 

J. D. Andrews came to Waseca Countj^ in 
1858, and on the 3d of July of that year 
settled in Otisco. Some time after this he en- 
tered into the drug business at Wilton, buying 
the E. A. Smith store. In later years he 
was engaged in the drug business in Duluth, 
but he came back to this county and was 
in the same line in Janesville, among the 
pioneer merchants of the new town of that 
name. He died at Madison, D. T., June 
11, 1887, having removed to that Territo- 
ry in the fall of 1878. 

Edwin S. Weed, who does a general farm- 
ing and stock-raising business on the eighty 
acres of land which he owns on section 31, 
in this township, is a native of Wisconsin, 
having been born in Fond du Lac County, 
September 20, 1858, and came to this county 
with his parents the same year, when but an 
infant six weeks old. He has remained in 
this county ever since. Hei'e he was reared, 
here he was educated, and hei-e, March 16, 
1885, he was married to Lida Kellogg, and 
here their child Jennie Laura was born. 
Mrs. Weed was born in Jackson County, 
Iowa, April 18, 1857. Mr. Weed is a Eepub- 
lican in politics, and is held in high esteem 
by his fellow citizens. 

Albert Anderson, who has a a fine farm of 



598 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



160 acres of land on section 11, is a native of 
Indiana, born January 10, 1857. His parents 
were both born in Sweden, the father in 
December, 1830, and the naotlier in January 
of the same year. When Albert was but 
two or three years of age the family came 
to Otisco Township, and here he grew to 
manliood.. In the year 1878, he was united 
in marriage with Ida Christine Johnson, who 
was born in Sweden, July 8, 1859. They 
are the parents of three children : Joseph 
Ali)iia, born May 5, 1879 ; Arnst Walford, 
October 19, 1880, and Johanna Maria, 
April (i, 1882. They belong to the Lutheran 
Church, and Mr. Anderson is a Republican 
in politics. 

Moses Plummer, whose sketch is given 
below, nuule a settlement here in the sjiring 
of 1860. 

Moses Plummer (deceased), one of the early 
settlers of this township, and one of the indus- 
trious, intelligent and thrifty farmers who 
have done so much to develop the resources of 
the county, was born among the granite hills 
of New Iliunpshire, in the town of Sanborn- 
ton, Belknap County. The date of his birth 
was December 23, 1817. He was reared in 
that county, farming part of the time in his 
native town, and part of the time in the ad- 
joining one of Meredith. On November 11, 
IS-t-l-, he was united in marriage with Matilda 
S. Gate, a native of Meredith, N. H. Shortly 
after their marriage they moved to a farm 
near Saubornton, where they resided a few 
years and then removetl to another place 
near by, where they livoil until 1859. Mr. 
Plummer then sold out there and moved to 
Minnesota and located at first in Clinton, 
Steele County, whore tliey remained that 
winter, in order to allow their son George to 
attend school. In March, 1860, they came 
to Otisco Township, this county, where Mr. 
Plummer purchased the farm on sections 3 
and 4, where Mrs. Plummer now resides, and 
which contains 180 acres. In 1850 Mr. 
Plummer was in the town hall at Meredith, 
N. II., when part of the floor gave way, pre- 



cipitating a part of the 300 people present 
into the abyss, killing several and injuring 
many, among the latter Mr. Plummer, who 
then received injuries that eventually killed 
him. For some live years previous to his 
death he was completely paralyzed and 
totally helpless, until released from suffering 
by death on the 20th of September, 1883. 
Mr. and Mrs. Plummer were the parents of 
three children : George C, born October 17, 
1845, who died March 17, 1865; Charles M., 
born March 1, 1866, and died November 21, 
1866, and Georgia born Januray 20, 1870, now 
in Owatonna attending scliool. Mr. Plum- 
mer's death was sadly mourned b\' not only 
the family, but a large circle of acquaint- 
ances. He was a man of high moral char- 
acter, and patiently bore sutl'erings which 
would have shaken the faith of other men. 
In his day he was an active and influential 
citizen, and in his affliction the county lost 
the services of a worthy man. 

Knud Hanson was also one of the set- 
tlers of the year 1860. He is a native of 
Norway, born August 24, 1824. He re- 
sided in the land of his birth until he was 
thirty-six years old. March 15, 1860, he 
was united in marriage with Mary Tollif- 
son, and the 29th of the following July 
sailed for America and came direct to Otisco 
Township and settled, as above stated, and 
bought 160 acres of land on section 35, 
where he now lives. In 1862 Mr. Hanson 
enlisted in Company F, Tenth Minnesota 
Infantry, and participated in the Sibley ex- 
pedition. During the winter of 1862-3 the}' 
were stationed at the Winnebago agency, 
and in the spring started after the Indians, 
defeating them five times. In October he, 
with the regiment, went to St. Louis to guard 
prisoners, and from there to the front, where 
Mr. Hanson participated in the battles of 
Guntown, Miss., and Nashville, Tenn. After 
the last battle he was taken sick, contract- 
ing rheumatism, which troubles him much 
to the present time, and was confined to the 
hospital until he was discharged, when he 



HI8T0EY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



699 



came back home. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson 
had born to them nine children: Hans, 
married in June, 1882, to Anna Hanson; 
Peter, Mar^^ Barbara, Annie, CaroHne (de- 
ceased,) Matilda, Caroline and Tollef M. Bar- 
bara was married December 3, 1886, to Ernest 
Oleson. Mrs. Hanson died May 22, 1886. 
Mr. Hanson is a Republican in politics. 
Halvor Thorson was also a settler of 1860. 

HISTORIC ITEMS. 

The first birth in the township was that 
of a child of Michael Anderson, born in 
July, 1856. 

The first marriage was that of William F. 
Armstrong and Sarah F. Farrington, which 
took place July 2, 1858. 

The first death was that of Lillie J. Can- 
field, who died August 18, 1859. 

ORGANIC 

At the first organization of the county, 
in the spring of 1857, all the territory now 
embraced in the townships of New Richland, 
Byron anil Vivian, together with the south 
one-third of what is now AVilton and Otisco, 
was oro-anized into one civil town under the 
name of Otisco, but on the 5th of April, 
1858, what now constitutes the town was set 
off and retained the name it bears. The 
first election was held at the house of Owen 
Salisbury, and that gentleman, H. G. Mosher 
and S. S. Griggs were the judges of the 
election. 

WATEKLYNN. 

Early in the summer of 1856, Watters and 
Chamberlain, taking advantage of the trouble 
between the settlers and the proprietors of 
the town of Wilton, purchased the claims of 
William and George Robbins, on the east 
side of the river, and there laid out a town 
wiiich they christened b}' the above name. 
This was right opposite the site of Wilton 
and tiie owners expected it would prove a 
formidable rival to the prospective town 
above named. A store and a hotel were 
erected that summer, the latter part frame 



and part log. But it never amounted to 
anj'thing ; the hotel was burned down in 
1858, while occupied as a residence of Wil- 
liam Murphy, and a fine farm is now found 
upon the site of this embryo town. 

VILLAGE OF OTISCO. 

A village of the above name wp.s laid out 
in July, 1857, by Warren Bundy and S. S. 
Goodrich, but it never amounted to very 
much. Although, doubtless, the proprietors 
indulged in golden di'eams of the prospective 
importance and business prosperity of the 
place, its history can be summed up in a few 
words. Where once they hoped to hear the 
busy whir of machinery, or the ceaseless hum 
of commercial activity, now I'esounds only 
to the low of kine or whistle of the plow- 
boy at his work, and is covered with nod- 
ding corn or bending grain. In its infancy 
it was nothing, and at its prime it had but 
the sawmill, a store and the postoffice. 

The sawmill was erected in the fall of 
1857 by Daniel and Gould Grover, two sons 
of Silas Grover, who ran it but a short time, 
when it was purchased by Griggs & Obert. 
After a time it again passed into the hands 
of Gould Grover, who was killed in the mill, 
when it became the proi)erty of Eno & 
Beatty, but they becoming unpopular left it, 
and the dam going out, the mill fell into de- 
cay and went to pieces. 

A small store, the stock consisting of gro- 
ceries, clothing, etc., was started by the 
Goodriches, at Otisco, in the latter part of 
1857. It was but a small affair and did not 
last any length of time. 

The postoffice was established in 1857, 
and Owen Salisbury was the first postmaster. 

PROMINENT PEOPLE. 

Sketches of some of the more prominent 
representative people of Otisco Township are 
given here as indicative of the general popu- 
lation. 

Roger B. Wood, one of the enterprising 
and intelligent agriculturists of this township, 



600 



HISTORY OF WASECA COrNTT. 



resides on section 31, on the farm, part of 
which he purchased in 1869, and which con- 
tains 354 acres, he having sold some six acres 
to the railroad company. He is a native of 
Stormont County, Ontario, born June 1, 
1842, and was reared in the country of his 
birth. In 1862, he came to the United 
States, and for two years remained in Eiga, 
Monroe County, N. Y. From there he re- 
moved to Oil City, Pa., where he was en- 
gaged in the blacksmith trade for some two 
years, when he came west and worked at his 
trade in Owatonna, for Philip Shuester, but 
only staved one month, coming to Waseca 
Village where he opened a blacksmith shop 
of his own and there lived until April 1, 
1871, when he moved on his farm. Decem- 
ber 15, 1869, he was united in marriage with 
Parmelia Smith, in Byron Township. She 
was born at Oak Grove, Dodge County, Wis., 
February 1, 1852, and came to Minnesota 
Avith her parents in 1866. The family settled 
in Goodhue County, but a year later came 
to Byron Townsiiip, this county, where the 
father died in February, 1881 ; the mother 
lives near Alma City. Mr. and Mrs. Wood 
have been the parents of the following chil- 
dren : Jessie J., born August 27, 1871 ; Ben- 
jamin W., born January 19, 1873; James 
A., January 13, 1875 ; John W., born Octo- 
ber 26, 1881, died November 12, 1883 ; Roger 
G., born March 28, 1878 ; Edna Jennie Grace, 
July 1, 1883, and Robert A., December 7, 
1885. Mr. Wood is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. He and his wife 
are members of the Wesleyan Church, and 
are ardent prohibitionists. 

Samuel Leslie, one of the leading farmers 
of this town, is a native of Essex County, N. 
Y., born September 9, 1837. He came to 
Minnesota in November, 1866, and helped 
plat the city of Waseca in the spring and 
summer of 1867, and lived in that beautiful 
city until about 1870, when he moved to 
Otisco Township, on section 4, where he now 
resides, and where he has 240 acres of ver}^ 
fine land. His buildings are first class, and 



are surrounded with a fine grove and orchard. 
All this jjrosperity is the result of his own 
industry, he having settled here on the wild 
prairie, and by labor and perseverance he has 
made a beautiful home. He was married 
September 23, 1860, to Mar}' E. Sisson, and 
the}' have been the parents of ten children, 
seven of whom are living : Jennie M., born 
December 6, 1861, married to C. G. Mosher, 
February 10, 1886, and has one child, Ruth 
F., born in December, 1886 ; Frank J., born 
October 6, 1863; Herbert J.. February 7, 
1866; Ptalph B., Apnl 7, 1869; Mark P., 
June 6, 1871, and Ella, July 12, 1S75. 

Joseph T. Dunn, who resides on his highly 
cultivated farm on section 4 in this township, 
is a native of Park County, Ind., born No- 
vember 21, 1855. He is the son of Will- 
iam and Mary J. (Baird) Dunn, both natives 
of Ireland, the former born March 31, 1823, 
and died March 20, 1884; the latter born in 
1819, and died in September, 1871. When 
Joseph was but one year old the family came 
to this county, settling on section 35, Wood- 
ville Township, where they were among the 
earliest settlers. In this county he was 
reared, and he remained at home with his 
parents until after the death of his mother, 
when he commenced life for himself. March 
21, 1877, he and Lena Beck were united in 
marriage, at Owatonna. The following sum- 
mer he rented a farm in Wilton Township, 
where he raised one crop, and then bought 
eighty acres of land in Woodville Township, 
where he lived until the spring of 1881. He 
then purchased 120 acres on section 24, 
Otisco, but five years later he bought the 
place where he now lives, selling the farm on 
section 24 to James M. Dunn. Mr. and Mrs. 
Dunn are the parents of three children : 
Joseph II.. born January 9, 1878; Anna, 
December 31, 1879, and Martha, November 
2, 1SS3. Mr. Dunn does a general farming 
and stock-raising business, and owns a fine 
horse of the Norman Percheron breed. 

H. O. Robbins was born in Jefferson 
County, N. Y., April 15, 1844, and re- 



* 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



601 



sided with his parents until he was twenty- 
one years of age, when he moved to Wiscon- 
sin, but after five years' residence there he 
came to Wilton, Minn., where he spent about 
eighteen months. From there he went to 
the city of Waseca, where he remained two 
years and a half. The next three years were 
spent on his father's farm on section IG, this 
township. He then removed to Meriden, 
Steele County, but two years later came back 
to the farm, which he is now working for 
his father on shares. He is doing a general 
farming and stock-raising business, and has 
a herd of some twelve head of cattle, two 
horses, besides other stock. He was united 
in marriage July 20, 1871, in Waseca with 
Sarah Ellis, who was born November 21, 
1852. They have been the parents of three 
children: Oora A., born April 19, 1872; 
Edwin II., October 4, 1873, and Erskine A., 
August 14, 1882. Mr. Robbins has filled the 
offices of school director and clerk, and con- 
stable and road overseer, and is a Prohibi- 
tionist. 

Asa Robbins, father of H. O. Robbins, was 
born in the State of New York in 1811. On 
the 5th of February, 1838, he was married to 
Hulda A. Chapman. She was born January 
9, 1815, and died on the 10th of December, 
1885. 

William Kugath waS born in Germany, 
April 27,1857, and came to the United States 
in 1873. He came to Chicago on first land- 
ing, and there he remained for six years, and 
then came to Waseca County, and worked 
for different parties inOtisco Townsliip until 
1883, when he purchased 160 acres of land 
on section 12, in this town, where he now 
lives. His parents came to this country in 
1881, and are now keeping house for him. 
He was a poor man when he came here but 
lie now has a good farm, well improved and 
well stocked, and is in good shape financially. 
He is a Republican in politics and a Luth- 
eran in religion. 

Gustaf Johnson was born in Sweden, 
November 25, 1831, and lived in that coun- 



try until coming to the United States. He 
was united in marriage with Johanna John- 
son, a native of Sweden, born in 1831. 
They came direct from their native land to 
Otisco Township, where Mr. Johnson pur- 
chased eighty acres of land on section 2, 
where he now lives. They are the parents 
of six children : Christina, born July 6, 
1859; Charles, born April 24, 1861; Oscar, 
born January 28, 1864 ; Hilda, born August 
21, 1866; John, born February 5, 1871, and 
Edwin, born December 15, 1872. All are 
living in this township except Oscar, who is 
in Idaho. Mr. Johnson is a member of the 
Lutheran Church, and a Republican in poli- 
tics. 

Otto Hanson was born in Norway, March 
16, 1850, and came to the United States with 
his parents in 1867. His father died here 
October 1, 18S5, his mother in 1869, and 
both are buried in Otisco cemetery. He was 
married in Wisconsin, March 15, 1874, to 
Ellen Thompson, when he moved to eighty 
acres of land on section 24, that he had 
previously bought. He lived there awhile 
and then sold it and purchased 360 acres on 
sections 14 and 23, on which he has put up 
a fine house and a barn 32x88 -feet in size, 
with a wing to it 16x24 and granary and 
other outbuildings. When he came here 
he was a poor man, having nothing and 
owing $35 for his passage over the water, but 
he went to work for a farmer and worked 
three weeks for $5. He then hired out to 
work through haying and harvest for $13 
per month, and from that on up until he is 
now in good comfortable circumstances, 
brought about mainly by his own industry 
and thrift. He and Mrs. Hanson are the 
parents of five children : Martin, born July 
7, 1875; Helena Sophia, born September 27, 
1876; Emil, born May 19, 1878; Mena, born 
January 16, 1880, and Henry Oscar, born 
January 13, 1884. lie and his family belong 
to the Lutheran Church. 

James Irwin was born in County Armagh, 
Ireland, in May, 1828, and came to the 



602 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



United States for the fii-st time, in 184-9. He 
worked on a farm in New Jerse\', near Had- 
donfield, for five years, and then returned 
to" Ireland, but one year Later came back, and 
came west to "Wisconsin, where he bought a 
farm of John G. Pease, at La Prairie, south 
of Janesville. April 31, 1860, he was mar- 
ried at Watertown, Wis., to Sarah Fitz- 
patrick, and moved to his farm, where he 
had built a house and sunk a well eighty-one 
feet deep. He lived there awhile when he 
sold out and purchased eighty acres of land 
near Watertown, where he lived for a number 
of years. He enlisted in the Sixteenth Illi- 
nois Infantry and went to the front. While 
at Chickasaw, Ala., they lost fifty-two men 
by the close fire of the rebels, but he escaped 
scot-free. He was discharged in April, 1865, 
and having no money Capt. Warren of his 
regiment took his discharge and an order on 
the paymaster, and let him have the money, 
jjromising to send liis discharge, which he 
has failed j'et to do. He came home, arriv- 
ing there about a week before the assassina- 
tion of President Lincoln. He remained 
on his farm in Wisconsin until 1870, when 
he came to this county, arriving here April 
IS, and purchased the northwest quarter of 
section 25, this town. Tliey have had five 
children born to them : George, born May 
3, 1861; William John, born February 20, 
1863 ; Mary Ann, born October 8, 1865, died 
July 29, 1880 ; James, born January 28, 
1868, and Patrick Thomas, born March 14, 
1870. These were all born in Wisconsin. 
The family are all members of the Catholic 
Church, and he is a Democrat politically. 

Johnny Larson was born in Sweden, 
April 2, 1849, and came to the United States 
with his parents in 1853. They remained 
for a short time at West Point, Ind., and 
then removed to Attica, in the same State. 
From the latter place they moved to this 
county, where the father purchased some 
forty acres of land on section 21, this town- 
ship. Here Johnny Larson lived with his 
father, working on the farm until he was 



twenty-one years of age, when he was mai'- 
ried to Clara Matilda Johnson, and pur- 
chased 160 acres of land Avhere he now lives. 
At that time the place was but little im- 
proved, but he now has nearly ninety aci-es 
under cultivation, with a good house, barn, 
granar}', etc., and the buildings are sur- 
rounded by a fine grove. Mr. and Mrs. 
Larson have one child, Charles Arvid, born 
March 14, 1871. Mr. and ]\Irs. Larson are 
members of the Lutheran Church. He is a 
Republican. 

C. Bauman who has a fine farm of 200 
acres on sections 19 and 20. this township, 
is a native of West Prussia, Germany, 
born August 12, 1833. He lived in the land 
of his nativity for many years, and there, 
July 2, 1860, he was united in marriage 
with Wilhelmina Tesch, who was born in 
the same part oT Europe, February 7, 1837. 
They immigrated to America in 1871, and 
came at once to Waseca County, and rented 
a farm for some three years, when he bought 
his present place. When they came over to 
this country, many of the passengers had 
cholera, and some eight3'-five of them died, 
three of their children, John, Anna and 
Mary, among them. Mrs. Bauman died June 
3, 1885, leaving six children : Otto, born 
December 2, 1861 ; Frank, born October 4, 
1863 ; Carl, born March 4, 1873; Elizabeth, 
born Jul}' 2, 1876 ; Clara Augusta, born 
August 2, 1878, and Gustave, born Septem- 
ber 2, 1886. 

Mrs. Christine Spoonburg, widow, whose 
maiden name was Johnson, was born in 
Sweden, February 4:, 1837. She came to 
America in 1869, with her brother and sis- 
ter, tlie former of whom lives in Davenport, 
Iowa, and the latter in Waseca. Christine 
Johnson was mai-ried to John Spoonburg, 
in New Richland. He, also, was a native of 
Sweden, born October 12, 1838, and came to 
this country in 1869, and purchased eighty 
acres of land on section 34, where his widow 
still resides. They had born to them six 
children: Abbie Althie, born September 17, 



HISTOEY OP WASECA COUNTY. 



603 



1871 ; John Andrew, born February 21, 
1873 ; Ellen, born October 12, 1871, died 
April 6, 1882 ; Caroline Virginia, born July 
17,1876; Oscar Emil, born March 1,1878, 
died June 6, 1882, and Herman L., born 
March 21, 1880. Mrs. Spoonburg is a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church. 

John A. Tolin was born in Sweden, April 
29, 1859, and came to the United States in 
1881, coming directly to Waseca County, on 
landing on the shores of this great republic. 
He remained in the city of Waseca, about a 
week, and then went to St. Peter where he 
remained two years, and then came to this 
township and bought eighty acres of land on 
sections 1 and 2, and built him a house on 
tlie last named. Mr. Tolin was united in 
marriage with Hilda Johnson, and they have 
one child, Hannah. Mr. Tolin carries on 
his farm and works at the trade of carpenter, 
when there is a demand for that kind of 
labor. 

Fi'ederick Lundquist was born in Sweden, 
July 3, 1837, where his parents died. He 
came to the United States in 1806, and for 
the first year made his residence in Illinois, 
after which he came to Otisco Township, 
this county, and purchased 125 acres of land 
on section 2, where he now lives. January 
3, 1869, he and Sophia Maria Larson were 
united in marriage, and they are the parents 
of four children : Ida Melvina, born February 
21,1870; Simon Ludwig, January 1, 1872 ; 
Adla Lyustina, November 3, 1876 ; Hannah 
Albertina, September 17, 1881. Simon Lud- 
wig died November 4, 1882. When Mr. 
Lundquist came to America he was a poor 
man, but by industry and energy he has ac- 
quired a fine property, and is on the high 
road to an easy competency. He is a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church, and a Repub- 
lican. 

John Youngberg was born in Sweden, 
October 5, 1811, and -when, in 1866, he immi- 
grated to America, he came direct to Otisco 
Township, Waseca County, and worked as a 
farm hand for different parties until 1868, 



when he bought 120 acres of land on section 

27. He has since sold eighty acres of this, 
but purchased the same amount, and still 
owns 120 acres, on which he now carries 
on farming operations. Mr. Youngberg 
was married to Mary Hanson, who was born 
in Norway, June 15, 1852, and came to this 
country with her parents. They have had a 
family of twelve cliildren : August John, born 
June 12, 1870, deceased ; Alfred, born April 
1, 1871 ; Hulda Christina, born Februar}' 23, 
1873 ; Agnes Josephine, born February 19, 
1875 ; Carl Oscar, born May 12, 1877 ; Lud- 
wig, born December 13, 1879, deceased ; 
Otto Larson, born December 19, 1880, de- 
ceased ; Lena, born December 13, 1881 ; 
Samuel, born February 9, 1882, deceased; 
Tena, born May 10, 1883, deceased ; Theo- 
dore, born July 6, 1885, and Victor, born 
October 9, 1886, deceased. Mr. Youngberg's 
parents ai'e still living in the old country. 
Their name is Larson, but Mr. Youngberg 
changed his name owing to there being so 
many of the name of Larson in the vicinity, 
and the confusion in mail and other matters. 
He has three brothers and one sister in 
America, August J., in Nebraska, the others 
in the Black liills, Dakota. Their names are 
Gabriel, Otto and Mary. 

Mrs. Louisa Peterson, widow, whose maid- 
en name was Anderson, was born in Sweden, 
October 16, 1827. During the year 1856 she 
was united in marriage with John P. Peter- 
son, a native of that country, born in 1828. 
In 1857, they, in company with Mrs. Peter- 
son's mother, came to the United States, 
setthng in Princeton, 111., where they lived 
for seven j'ears, Mr. Peterson bemg engaged 
in working on farms for others. They then 
came to this county and settled on section 

28, where he bought eighty acres of land, 
afterward addinji' 160 acres to it. In De- 
cember, 1867, their Iiouse was burned down, 
so they dug a hole in the ground, in which 
they lived some six years, then built a good 
house, in which she now lives with two of her 
children, and carries on her farm, her hus- 



604 



HISTORY OF WASECA COITNTY. 



band having been killed by the cars in Feb- 
ruaiy, 1883, close to his home. Mr. and Mrs. 
Peterson were the parents of seven children : 
Andrew Oscar, born in Sweden, January 27, 
1857, married and lives in this county ; Mary 
Louisa, born in Illinois, January 6, 1859, 
married ; Carl, born in Illinois, October 10, 
1861, died in Princetown, July, 1857 ; Frank 
Victor, born October 2, 1862, married, and 
lives in Minneapolis ; Emma Sophia, born in 
Minnesota, October 1, 1865 ; Charles Lean- 
der, born December 6, 1867, and Anna 
Charlotte, born June 10, 1871, married. 

Chai'les Gustafson was born in Sweden, 
April 17, 1845, and came to the United 
States in 1868. The same year he came to 
Waseca County and worked for different 
parties at farm work, which he followed for 
two or three years, when he purchased 120 
acres of land on section .35, in Woodville 
township, on wbicli he built a house, barn, 
etc., and where he lived for a time. He 
then sold part of this and purchased eighty 
acres in section 2, of this township, where 
he now lives. His father died in this town 
in June, 1876, but the mother is still living 
hei'e. Mrs. Gustafson is also a native of 
Sweden and they have a family of seven 
children : Charles Emil, born April 10, 1876 ; 
Emma Otilla, born April 19, 1877; Alfred 
Theodore, born December 2, 1878 ; Joseph 
F., born June 27, 1880 ; Johanna Christine, 
born February 4, 1882 ; Fi'ank Ludwig, born 
November 21, 1884, and Oscar Simon, born 
January 5, 18S7. Mr. Gustafson is a Ee- 
publican in politics and is a member of the 
Lutheran Church. 

Frederick ZeU and his brother Louis have 
a very fine farm of some 240 acres of land 
in this township, and although they were 
poor men when they came here, yet by per- 



severance and industrj" they have acquired 
property worth about $8,000. Frederick was 
born in Prussia, January 12, 1846, and with 
with his brother came to America in 1872. 
For a year they remained in New York, and 
then came to this county, settling in Otisco 
Township. The}^ are Eepublicans in poli- 
tics and are members of the Lutheran Church. 
Louis was married in the faU of 1884, to 
Otilda Piatt, and they are the parents of one 
child, Elfrida, born September 15, 1885. The 
brothers carry on farming and stock-raising 
on an extensive scale, and they deserve to be 
ranked among the wealthy farmers of 
"Waseca County. 

Lars Peterson was born in Sweden, Sep- 
tember 28, 1S30, and lived in that country 
until he was some thirty-six years old. 
April 9, 1855, he was united in marriage with 
Mary Oleson, and the following children 
were born to them in their native land : 
Sophia, born January 14, 1856 ; Alfred, April 
23, 1858; Hadvig, May 13, 1860; Christina, 
March 27, 1802, and Halga, February 7, 1865. 
In 1866 Mr. Peterson and his family crossed 
the ocean to America, and all came direct 
to this place and settled on section 28, where 
he owns 160 acres of excellent land. Since 
coming to this country they have been the 
parents of four children : August, born Sep- 
tember 25, 1869 ; Ida, December 10, 1872 ; 
Leonard, August 4, 1874, and Hildur, De- 
cember 18, 1875. Sophia, their eldest child, 
married John Melvin, April 1, 1877, and 
resides in Swift County, this State. Mr. 
Peterson is a Kepublican in politics. The 
family are members of the Lutheran Church, 
the mission church building of that denom- 
ination standing on his farm not ten rods 
from his dwelling-. 



CHAPTER XXI. 




JANESVILLE TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE. 



[IE township of Janesville is in the 
northwestern corner of the county, 
antl embraces all of congressional 
township 108 north, range 2i 
west. It contains the least amount 
of tillable land of any in Waseca 
County, a large proportion of its 
surface being covered by the 
waters of Lake El^'sian, a beauti- 
ful sheet some five miles long, 
and in some places a mile and a 
half wide. The land is fertile and produc- 
tive, yielding a rich return to the enterpris- 
ing husbandman. The soil is the rich, dark 
mold characteristic of this portion of the 
State and apparently inexhaustible. The 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad crosses 
the town from east to west, affording ample 
facilities for the transportation of produce 
and of travel. Janesville Village, a flourish- 
ing place, lies within its bordei's and is the 
trade center of the precinct. The several 
small creeks and streamlets that flow into 
the lakes afford ample drainage to the 
countr\', and the large amount of timber, 
primeval in its source, that still covers a 
great portion of its surface, supplies an 
almost inexhaustible amount of fuel, both 
for home consumption and for sale abroad. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The land of Janesville Township lay bask- 
ing beneath the blazing sun of summer or 
clothed with the snowy mantle of winter, in 
pristine beauty and loveliness, until the year 
1855. Roamed over by parties of the red- 
men of the north, in search of the game that 
abounded in its forests or the fish in its 



lakes, its soil lay unfilled by the hand of the 
white man until the year spoken of, when 
the tide of emigration that at that time 
flowed over this fair land, came this way 
and seekers after locations finding that the 
land was fair to look upon began to take up 
claims and make a home. 

Probably the first to make a settlement 
here was John Douglas, who in the summer 
of 1855 made a claim and opened up a little 
farm. Fi'om this he removed to Elysian, 
and from there to Nebraska. With him 
came a man by the name of Hughes. 

Early in 1855 John Davis and Alfred Hol- 
stein came to this part of the county and 
located claims, Davis on part of section 28, 
and Holstein on portion of section 27. These 
two men were traders and sold goods, 
especially whiskey, to the Indians then on 
the reservation. Davis is said to have been 
a peculiarly truthful man, never exaggerating 
anything, and in telling a story, even if it 
reflected upon himself, he would tell it just 
as it was. He was a great hunter, and 
approached in that line the Indians, — a 
genuine backwoodsman. He lived here for 
some yeai'S until his folks sent him tickets to 
come home with, they having sent him money 
several times before for that purpose, which 
he spent for drink, and he finally left here for 
one of the Carolinas. 

Alfred Holstein was a partner of John 
Davis, and they were engaged in a store in 
Janesville. Holstein was deemed a straight- 
forward, honest man, and was well liked by 
all the settlers. But in their log store buildina: 
they sold goods to the Indians, trusting many 
of them, expecting to get their pay when the 



eo6 



606 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



annuities were paid from the paymaster, 
which they did for several times ; but an or- 
der was issued that only authorized traders 
on the reservation should have their money 
held back this way, and the non-payment of 
this debt broke the firm up. Sometime after 
this the government gave the Indians a lot 
of horses, and Holstein in company with a 
man from Missouri, to get even with the 
Indians, put up a scheme and stole the horses, 
some forty or fifty head, and made off south 
safely and disposed of them. But through 
the influence of his friend, he was induced 
to help steal some more, and was caught, and 
languished in prison for the offense. 

John Rowley made a settlement in 1855 
on section 9, west of the lake, where he lived 
many 3'ears. 

Jerry Hogan came from the State of Ken- 
tucky in the year 1855, and made a settle- 
ment on section 21. He lived here for many 
years, but a few summers ago he was found 
dead in his house, having died from heart 
disease wiiile alone. 

James, Thomas and John Hogan, also 
came at the same time, all of whom are 
still resident in Waseca County, Thomas in 
Alton, and James in Janesville. John re- 
turned to Kentucky, but after a time retui'ned 
here and is now a citizen of this town. 

Patrick Moonan, now a resident of the 
city of Waseca, came here in 1855, and 
made a settlement near the lake. 

John, James and Patrick McCue came to 
tiiis locality in 1855, and " stuck their stakes." 
James died in 1885, and Patrick is a resi- 
dent of Parker's Prairie, this State. John 
removed to Missouri, and has grown quite 
wealthy. He was a very peculiar and 
wliimsical man, always wanting to be ad- 
dressed as Mr. McCue, and gave them all to 
understand that he was not poor, Init a 
wealthy farmer. 

George Merrill, now an inhabitant of 
Alton, came to Janesville in 1855, and lived 
here many years. 

John Cunningham made a settlement 



in this township on section 29, in the 
year 1855, where he resided until his death, 
which occurred August 30, 1870. October 4, 
1862, he enlisted in Company B, First Min- 
nesota Mounted Rangers, and did excellent 
service in the Sibley campaign against the 
Sioux Indians, until the expiration of his 
term of service, and was discharged Novem- 
ber 9, 1863. He was united in marriage 
with Mrs. Mary Crawford, the widow of W. 
II. Crawford, one of the earl}' settlers of this 
township, who was murdered in Texas. Mr. 
and Mrs. Cunningham were the parents of 
two children : James and Maud. Mrs. Cun- 
ningham resides on the farm made by Mr. 
Cunningham in early days. 

Early in January, 1856, W. G. Allyn came 
to this part of Waseca, and took up a claim 
on section 24. He is now a resident of the 
village of Janesville. and owner of some four 
additions to the town site thereof. 

W. G. Allyn is a native of Martinsburgh, 
Lewis County, N". Y., born June 13, 1822, 
and is the son of Henry and Elizabeth 
(Greene) Allyn. In 1851 the family removed 
to Otsego, Columbia County, Wis., where W. 
G. remained until the fall of 1855, when he 
started from there with a team and drove 
to Faribault, Rice Count}', this State, arriv- 
ing there December 2, being some three 
weeks on the road. Making his home for a 
time with a Mr. Haines, who lived about 
four miles south of that town, he got 
up a house on his claim on section 24, m 
this county, where he removed in January, 
1856. This house was of rough logs, and the 
roof composed of the covering of his two 
wagons, with a quilt hung up for a door. 
Neither had it any windows, or any floor 
other than mother earth. He remained on 
the original claim some eighteen years, and 
then purchased 120 acres of land adjoining 
the town site of Janesville, on sections 33 and 
34, and there laid out a portion of it into 
what is known as Allyn's first addition to 
the town of Janesville. Since that time he 
has laid out three more additions. Of late 



HISTORY OF WASKCA COUNTY. 



609 



years he has attended to his farm, and the 
sale of his lots, but for one year was in busi- 
ness in the village. He was united in mar- 
riage with Laura A. Williams, and they have 
three children : William Henry, George W. 
and Fannie J. Mr. and Mrs. AUyn are act- 
ive members of the Methodist Church, hav- 
ing been members of the same for over forty 
years. 

Paul Wandrie and his son Charles, came 
to this township in 1856, and took up claims. 
Both of them are now dead. 

With them came William and Martin 
Stanke, who also took up claims, and lived 
here some time. They afterward removed 
to Blue Earth County where they are living 
now. 

These all settled at the old town of Janes- 
ville, and were the first real settlers of that 
place when the town was started. It is told 
of Martin Stanke, that, during the war, he 
enlisted in the service, but could not learn 
to march or keep step, even if tried in an 
awkward squad of two or three, and after 
trying for some time he was discharged as 
incompetent for a soldier. 

Michael Silkey, a German by birth, came 
soon afterward, in the same year, and made 
a settlement at the old town also. 

In 1856 J. AV. Ilosmer, the present com- 
modore of the Lake Elysian fleet, made a 
settlement at the old village of Janesville, 
then but a town on paper, and became half 
owner thereof. 

J. W. Hosmer came to this county in 
1856, and located in what is now the town 
of Iosco, opening a store there, where he re- 
mained but a short time, when he came to 
this town and purchased the half interest in 
the old town site of Janesville as mentioned. 
He there built a large sawmill, which was 
of great utilitv to the settlers. He after- 
ward was engaged in the mercantile trade 
at that point, and traded some with the In- 
dians, of whom there were ])lenty around 
here in those days. After the new village 
was laid out and the business removed there 



Mr. Hosmer remained on the old place and 
ran the mill until it was burned, and then 
devoted his attention to bee culture, produc- 
ing one season some nine tons of honey. He 
is now engaged, principally, in stock-raising 
and during the summer months in runnino- 
his steamboat on the lovely waters of Lake 
Elysian, or hauling sand from its banks in 
his sand-barge, from whence he derives his 
nickname of " Commodoi-e." He is a native 
of Genesee County, N. Y., born May 19, 
1824-, and is the son of Elisha and Clarissa 
(Rowley) Hosmer. About the year 1826, 
the famih' removed to Chautauqua County, 
N. Y., where J. W. was raised, and wiiere 
he lived until he was some eighteen years 
of age, when he went to Wisconsin and re- 
mained there until coming here. 

W. G. Mathes came to Okaman in 1856. 
He was one of the owners of the town site of 
that village and resided there for some years, 
when he moved to Minneapolis, where his 
death occurred some years afterward. 

N. E. Strong, now of California, came here 
from Iosco in 1856. He remained here for 
some time, interested in the sawmill at Janes- 
ville, and was identified with the official life 
of the county, and the business interests of 
Waseca, before he left the county. 

John Put made a settlement in 1856. 

Thomas McHugo was among the hardy 
pioneers of the year 1856, he having come 
from the State of Ohio to a new-found home 
in Minnesota. He is still a resident of the 
township, living just east of the village of 
Janesville. 

CtBsar DeRegan, a Frenchman, made his 
appearance here in 1856, and located a claim 
on what was afterward the site of old Janes- 
ville. He laid out a town site, part of it on 
the ice of Lake Elysian, which was sold to 
non-residents, and taxes were paid on those 
" water lots " for some years. It was at his 
house that the polls for the southern part of 
the township were fixed at the first election 
on the organization of the town. DeRegan 
left here shortiv after the starting of the 



33 



610 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



town, but later returned but made no ex- 
tended visit, owing to some transactions he 
was mixed up in. 

W. H. Crawford came to Waseca County 
in 1856 and settled on the west bank of 
Lake Elysian, where he remained two years, 
when he removed to Texas. At that time the 
feeling against Northerners was quite strong, 
and upon some one examining Mr. Craw- 
ford's mail and finding therein a Waseca 
County paper which advocated Ilepublican 
principles, the self-styled vigilance commit- 
tee called upon Mr. Crawford, without warn- 
ing, and killed him in sight of his wife with- 
out compunction, nor had she anj"^ recourse, 
lie was a native of Bath, Me., and in 1852 was 
united in marriage with Mary Furfey. They 
were the parents of three children : Will- 
iam, John and Jennie. After his death Mrs. 
Crawford returned to Wilton, where she 
remained one year, and then returned to her 
people in Maine. In 1866 she returned to 
Waseca County and was united in marriage 
with John Cunningham, an early settler 
of this township, whose history has al- 
ready been given. She is still living on the 
Cunningliam homestead, where her husband 
died in 1870. 

Shortly after these came quite a number 
of others, prominent among which were the 
following: William Wind, now dead ; John 
Bradish. who occujtied the position of count}' 
attorney in an early day, and is still a resident 
of Janesville; Eichard Dreever, who after- 
ward removed to Iosco Township, where he 
died in 1885, and George Dreever, still a 
resident of the town. 

Thomas Cahill came to this township 
in 1857, and settled where he now lives. 
He was born in Ireland in November, 
1825, and remained in his native land un- 
til 1847, when he came to America. On 
arriving here he first settled in Ken- 
tucky, but from there moved to Webster 
County, Iowa, where he purchased a farm, 
but only remained a short time, when he 
came to this locality, and on April 9, 1857, 



took up a claim on section 27, and where he 
now owns on that and adjoining sections 
795 acres of most magniticent land, all lo- 
cated near Lake Elysian, well sup]ilied with 
timber, and is one of the best adapted for 
stock farming of any in the count3\ In 
March, 1855, he was united in marriage with 
Mary Harney, at New Albany. She was 
born in Ireland, August 15, 1831. They have 
had a famil}' of five children, one of whom 
is dead. Those living are: John, born June 
22, 1859 ; Bridget, June 8, 1861 ; William K., 
November 6, 1862, and Thomas Edward, 
June 8, 1864. The family are members of 
the Catholic Church. 

James Roberts, one of the owners of 
Okaman, located there in 1857, and resided 
in that place for about two or three years. 

R. C. Wilkins was another early settler. 
In a few years he removed from here to 
Northfield, where he lives at the present. 

John Hrown .settled here about the year 
1857. In a drunken frolic at Elysian, 
whither he had gone, he killed a man and 
was sent to the ])enitentiary, and having 
served out his term, is now a resident of St. 
Paul. 

B. S. Hall, a son-in-law of John Buckhout, 
came to Okaman in 1857 with that, gentle- 
man, and was concerned in the planting of 
that village. He resided at the village for 
some years, and then went to St. Paul. 

George H. Bisliop, also an owner of the 
town of Okaman, settled at the village in 
1857. He entered the army during the late 
war, and died at the siege of Yicksburg in 
1863. 

Frederick Roberts lived at Okaman for a 
time. He was interested in the town, but 
left here about 1859 or 1860. He settled 
here in 1857. 

Nicholas Allen made a settlement here in 
1857. He was an Irishman by birth. He 
finally started for California, and it was 
rumored perished with his family during the 
horrible massacre at Mountain Meadow, but 
it is believed that the report is not true. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



611 



J. W. Crawfoi'd, G. M. Bernard and 
Charles Colestock came here during the 
year 1857. Crawford settled on section 10, 
but removed from this county in a very 
early day ; Bernard did not remain long, nor 
did Colestock. 

Among others who located here in 1857 
were : E.. Brown, Alexander Johnston, John 
Buckhoiit, Frank Johnson, Gottlieb Grams, 
James Heming, James and David Colledge 
and Patrick Hackett. 

Alexander Johnston was connected with 
the early history of the press in tliis county, 
and is noticeil in that connection. 

John Buckhout, an old conductor on the 
New York ife Erie Railroad, came to what 
was afterward Okaman, and put up a saw 
and grist mill, which became quite famous 
afterward as one of the best gristmills in the 
county. When he died, October 21, 1881, 
the mill ceased running and is now idle. 

Frank Johnson is still a resident of Janes- 
ville village. 

Gottlieb Grams came to this township in 
the fall of 1857, and made a settlement on 
section 8, where he still resides. He is a 
native of Prussia, Germany, born September 
7, 1828. He was reared in that country, 
and there received his education. When he 
had attained the age of manhood, he was 
called upon to serve in the army, and during 
the two years and a half that he spent thus, 
saw some active service. In 1853 he immi- 
grated to America, locating at first in Mil- 
waukee, Wis. He resided there for some 
four years, and then came to this county. He 
has a fine farm of 173 acres of land ; the fine 
brick residence where he lives is upon the 
banks of Lake Lily. His home is a most 
pleasant one. October 16, 1855, Mr. Grams 
and Louisa Wandrie were united in mar- 
riage. She is a native of Prussia, also a 
daughter of one of the old settlers of this 
township, and was born in 1843. They have 
a family of four children, born as follows : 
Charles, born June 22, 1863; Ottila, born 
July 4, 1865; Eliza, born March 15, 1868, 



and Pauline, who was born August 2, 1873. 
James and David Colledge did not remain 
here long, removing to a more southern lo- 
calitA'. 



ORGANIC. 

The most of the territory now embraced 
within the limits of the township of Janes- 
ville was included in that of Empire, organ- 
ized in March, 1857, and it continued to 
form a part of that precinct for about a year. 
In May, 1857, however, that portion of the 
town lying west of the lake was organized 
into a separate precinct, under the name of 
Elysian. On the 5th of April, 1858, the 
county commissioners, however, organized 
the present township and gave it the name of 
Okaman. At this time the board appointed 
two polling places, on account, no doubt, of 
the distance from one settlement in the town 
to the other, and the rivalry between the 
two parts of the town. The one at Okaman, 
at the house of H. Tattle, where Alexander 
Johnston, G.H. Bishop and W. N. Buckhout 
presided as judges of election ; the one at 
Janesville, at the residence of Caesar De- 
Regan. Here the judges were R. Brown, 
John Cunningham and C. DeRegan. By some 
misunderstanding the two rival towns, 
both of which then expected to become 
large places, each elected a full set of offi- 
cers, but this being declared illegal, those 
chosen in the north half of the town never 
qualified. The first oflicers of the township 
were ; John Davis, chairman, and Thomas 
Cahill and Gottlieb Grams, supervisors ; M. 
S. Green, clerk; J. W. Hosmer, treasurer; 
Richard Dreever and John Bradish, justices 
of the peace ; James Heming and Alfred 
Holstein, constables. Richard Dreever, when 
he attempted to try his first suit, became 
disgusted, and resigning his oflBce, J. W. 
Hosmer was appointed justice in his place. 

OTHERS. 

Follow^ing are given sketches of many of 
the representative men of the township, 
biography being the pith of history. 



612 



HISTOET OF WASECA COUNTY. 



C. Hover is a native of Chemung County, 
N. Y., born February 21, 1831. He lived in 
that State until 1864, when he came to Minne- 
sota," locating on section 29, Janesville Town- 
ship, this county, where he stiU resides. His 
place is on the west bank of that beautiful 
sheet of water, Lake Elysian, across whose 
pellucid waters the view extends from his 
house. The buildings on his farm are com- 
modious and even elegant, and are among 
the finest in the county. October 21, 1852, 
Mr. Hover and Maria English were united in 
the bonds of matrimony. She is a native of 
Bradford County, Pa., born April 5, 1833. 
They are the parents of one son, N. D., who 
was born October 10, 1854, and who, on the 
1st of January, 1873, took unto himself a 
wife in the person of Anna IVIorse, and they 
have a family of four children : Cora I., 
born December 12, 1875 ; Clarence I., born 
March 16, 1877; Earl C, born August 25, 
1879, and WiUiam D., April 30, 1881. N. 
D. Hover lives on section 28, this township. 

Joseph Warner is a native of Northamp- 
tonshire, England, born February 9, 1847. 
He came to the shores of America with his 
parents in 1855, and they settled in Coluifi- 
bia. Wis., where he remained until 1865. 
That 3'ear the family removed to Le Sueur 
County, this State, where he made his home 
until 1873, the date of his coming to Waseca 
County. He purchased the farm on section 
4, where he still resides, at that time, The 
same year, in July, he was married to 
Evaline Swann, who was born in 1851, and 
who died in 1879, leaving two children : 
Blanche, born January 19, 1876, and Thomas, 
born July 23, 1878. Mr. Warner's father, 
Thomas, was born in England in 1812, and 
died in Le Sueur County, this State, in 1872 ; 
his mother, Martha, is now living with her 
son. She is also a native of England, born 
in 1812. Joseph Warner's place comprises 
some 216 acres of land in this and Le Sueur 
counties, and on it he has a fine sugar bush 
of some three hundred trees. 

W. Talmadge was born in Grant Countv, 



Wis., December 31, 1857. He hved there 
until 1872, when he came to Minnesota, lo- 
cating in Watonwan County, and remained 
there about four years. He then went to 
Le Sueur and engaged in the drug business, 
which he continued for about two years. In 
1887 he came to Waseca County, locating in 
Janesville Township. On July 23, 1877, he 
was united in marriage with Nellie Jewison, 
a native of the Badger State, born December 
19, I860. They have two children : Myrette 
Ella, born August 9, 1879, and Grace E., 
born October 19, 1882. Mr. and Mr. Tal- 
madge are both members of the Episcopal 
Church. 

A. Willis, one of the old settlers, was born 
in Connecticut, August 15, 1816, where he 
lived for manj'^ years. For twenty-two years 
he worked in a woolen factory in the State 
of New York, after which he came to Illi- 
nois, where he lived for several years. He 
then came to Waseca County, Minn., locat- 
ing in Janesville Township, taking a claim 
on section 8. Here he remained and made 
improvements, then moved his family to the 
homestead, where he now lives. In 1836 he 
was united in marriage with Hulda Treat, 
who died in 1842. June 5, 1847, he was 
united in marriage with Hannah Allen, a 
native of Otsego County, N. Y., born April 
22, 1824. They are the parents of ten chil- 
dren: Emily A., born October 24, 1848; An- 
nette, born March 6, 1851, died in June, 
1854 ; Ellen, born March 10, 1852, died Au- 
gust 31, 1880; Eliza, born November 24, 
1853; Mary J., born February 14, 1856 ; Ed- 
ward, born April 20, 1857 ; Anna E., born 
May 19, 1860; John A., born January 12, 
1862, and Frank and Fred., twins, born Sep- 
tember 20, 1863. When Mr. Willis came to 
the county they had their household goods 
shipped from Illinois, but as railroads were 
things of the East instead of the West, by 
some means or another all these goods were 
lost. 

Edward Willis, the si.xth child of A. and 
Hulda (Treat) Wilhs, was born in Iowa, 



HISTOET OF WASECA COUNTY. 



813 



April 20, 1857, while his parents were on 
their journey from Illinois to this place. Com- 
ing to Waseca, an infant in arms, he has 
been reared and educated among the familiar 
scenes that first awakened his childish ideas. 
Here he attended the rough log schoolhouse, 
around whose hallowed walls fond memory 
throws so many halcyon thoughts. Here on 
the 26th of December, 1880, he and Emma 
Record took upon themselves the marital 
vows. Here have been born to the couple : 
Bessie May, born October 11, 1881 ; Arthur 
Adrian, born March 23, 1883 ; Herbert Allen, 
December 19, 1884, and John Sherwood, 
January 13, 1887. Here with his young 
family growing up around him, in the quiet 
and beautiful modern cottage which he has 
erected near his father, on the same piece of 
land, he lives happ}^ and contented. The 
farm, which he has brought to a high state 
of cultivation, lies on the banks of beautiful 
Lake Willis, a charming situation, and most 
excellent land.* Mrs. Willis is a member of 
the Baptist Church, and a sincere Christian 
woman. 

Floj'd Martin came to this part of Waseca 
County in 1862, and carried on the cooper 
ti-ade, until October, 1886, when he retired 
from that business and purchasing a farm on 
section 29, near the site of the old village of 
Janesville, took up the " trade " of farmer. 
He is a native of Antwerp, Jefferson County, 
N. Y., born June 30, 1843. He was united in 
marriage, January 13, 1878, with Maggie 
Haubrles, a native of Kenosha County, Wis., 
born July 28, 1855, and a daughter of Hubert 
Haubrles, one of the early settlers of the 
county. They are the parents of two chil- 
dren : Hubert, born January 9, 1879, and 
George E., born September 29, 1885. Mr. 
Martin is the son of John Preston Martin 
and his wife. The former was born in Jef- 
ferson County, N. Y., December 10, 1818. 
Mrs. Martin's father, Hubert Haubries, was 
born in Germany, June 18, 1831, and came to 
this county in an early day, and reared a fam- 
ily of fifteen children, all of whom are living. 



Thomas Savage came to the township of 
Janesville in the year 1866, and settled where 
he now lives, on section 15. He was born in 
Leeds, Yorkshire, England, December 9, 1841, 
and remained in his native land until 1855, 
when he came to the United States, locating 
for the time near Oconomowoc, Wis., where 
he remained until coming to this county. 
He has a fine farm of 160 acres of land, on 
sections 10, 11, 14 and 15. His residence 
stands upon the east bank of the beautiful 
Lake Elysian. In Mapleton, Wis., November 
11, 1868, he and Elizabeth Hicks were united 
in marriage. She is a native of Devonshire, 
England, born October 11, 1844, and came 
to this country, with her parents, when but 
a small child. They have been the parents 
of four children, all living : Thomas H., born 
October 3, 1869 ; Mary E., November 19, 
1872; William W., August 24, 1874, and 
Emma Alice, October 17, 1876. When Mr. 
Savage settled hei-e this land was extremely 
wild, but with his own hands he has cleared 
it up and now has a fine farm, one that is 
always productive. Mrs. Savage, who is 
quite artistic in her tastes, gave considerable 
attention to painting in her younger days, 
and distinguished herself in that line, and 
from an inspection of her work one is com- 
pelled to regret her neglect of its pursuit, as 
artists of her ability are far from plentiful. 

S. F. Shephard came to Waseca County 
in 1874, and settling in the village of Janes- 
ville, entered into the grain business, which 
he continued for the succeeding ten years, 
when he purchased the interest of A. W. 
Jennison, in the firm of Miner & Jennison, 
general merchants, of Janesville, and in com- 
pany with F. H. Miner, carried on that 
business until 1886, when he sold out to his 
partner, and removed to the farm where he 
now resides, on section 36, just across the 
line in Blue Earth County, the road lying 
between his place and this county. He is a 
native of New Hampshire, born among its 
granite hills, November 23, 1837. In 1860 he 
went to the Eocky Mountains, where he re- 



(il4 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



nicained some eleven years. "While there he 
Avas engaged in mining and stock-raising, 
and, in 1868, was the first to winter cattle in 
the Wind Eiver Valle3',Wyo. T. Coming back 
he located at "Worthington, Minn., in 1871, 
where he was one of the very first settlers. 
He ran a feed store there until 1874, when 
he came to Waseca County. August 2, 
1876, he was united in marriage with Helen 
Comstock, a native of Chautauqua County, N. 
Y. They are tlie parents of five children : 
Helen, George, John, May and an infant. 
Mr. Shephard is a member of Janesville 
Lodge, No. 12-4, Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons ; Waseca Chapter, No. 26, Eoyal 
Arch Masons, and Mankato Commandery, 
No. 4, Knights Templar. 

William Jewison is a native of Yorkshire, 
England, born January 1, 1846. In 1848 the 
family immigrated to America, and settled 
at Mapleton, Waukesha County, Wis., where 
William was reared and educated, also at- 
tending- theschoolsat Ajipleton and Horicon, 
in that State, fitting himself for a teacher, 
which profession he followed for some years. 
In 1865, he went to the Lake Superior re- 
gions, where he remained some tliree years, 
and in 1868 came to this county. Wlien he 
was but nine years of age, he had the mis- 
fortune to lose a leg, but notwithstanding 
that, has labored so diligently that he has ac- 
quired a fine property, and an excellent home. 
November 14, 1870, he was united in mar- 
riage with Ellen Hughes, of Mapleton, where 
she was born, April 18, 1848. They are tlie 
parents of five children : Olive, who died 
when quite young ; Grace S., born Septem- 
ber 12, 1872; Pearl, born July 4, 1879. died 
January 2, 1883 ; Fannie M., born October 
12, 1883, and William, born January 2, 1886. 
G. W. Fanglit was born in Indiana. April 
28, 1821. He remained in that State until 
1863, when he came to Minnesota, settling 
in this county. He has a beautiful place on 
the west bank of crystal Lake Elysian, 
where he devotes his time to the cultivation 
of sorghum^cane, and the manufacture of sy- 



rup from the same ; the quality of the latter 
being extremely fine, and in which he takes 
a just pride. January 28, 1842, he was uni- 
ted in marriage witii Miss Lloyd, a native of 
Kentucky, born September 19, 1828. They 
were the parents of eleven children : Eliza 
J., born November 14. 1844 ; Taylor, ]\Iarcli 
18, 1847, died December 21, 1847 ; Aurelius, 
December 8, 1848, died June 4, 1886 ; Elijah, 
May 27, 1851, died June 11, 1851 ; Mary E., 
May 20, 1852 ; John H., Marcli 15, 1855 ; 
George W., July 12, 1858 ; Lenora, February 
11, 1861, died December 14,1881; Abraham 
L., born October 1, 1863; Laura F., Decem- 
ber 19, 1865, and Isabel, September 28. 1869. 
William Burnett is a native of the Do- 
minion of Canada, born in 1842. He is the 
son of Henr\' and Annie Burnett. When he 
had attained the age of fifteen years he 
thought to start in the world for himself, 
commenced farming and has followed that 
line of occupation ever since. In 1862 he 
was united in marriage with Charlotte Raven, 
wlio was also a native of Canada, and they 
were the parents of four cliildren. In 1865 
tiiey came to Waseca County and located in 
tiie old village of Janesville, where they 
lived about three years, when, in 1869, he 
j)urchased the farm on section 31, wiiere he 
now resides. After the death of his wife in 
1882, he returned to his Canada home, where 
he spent two years, and then returned to 
this place, and took up his residence on his 
homestead, where he has a pleasant place. 

THE <1LD VILLAGE OF .JANESVILLE. 

During the year 1854 a government sur- 
veyoi'. tlien employed in his vocation in this 
portion of the State, laid out the plat of a 
town on section 28 for Father La Valdo, a 
French Catholic priest, which the owner 
called Beopolis. This was on the north half 
of what was afterward the town site of old 
Janesville. According to the custom of the 
day Father La Valdo advertised his town in 
Eastern pajjcrs to some extent and sold some 
lots, but the place never had an inhabitant, 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



615 



except wild animals. Like many others in 
that time of mad speculation in real estate 
that helped bring on the financial crisis of 
1857, it was but a town on paper, and was a 
prototype of those so graphically drawn by 
Dickens, and which were the theme of many 
writers of that day. 

In lS5t), Ctesav DeRegan, a Frenchman, 
who at that time came here, laid out a town 
site upon the ground occupied by the old 
village of Janesville, and upon the waters of 
Lake Elysian, which, at first, he called St. 
Cjesar's but changed the name afterward to 
New Albany. Shortlj^ after this J. W. 
Hosmer came here and purchased a half 
interest in the town site, and in a short time 
a new name, Janesville, was given it by 
Mr. Ilosmer, after the town of the same 
name in Wisconsin, from which he had come. 
The village was located upon the west half 
of section 28, in a beautiful situation on 
the banks of Lake Elysian. Here quite a 
village sprang into existence and flourished 
for years. 

Previous to the time when Mr. Hosmer 
took hold of the place, but one building was 
upon the town site, and that was but a pole 
shant}' placed there by the owner to hold 
the claim, and in which he lived. In 1858 
Mr. Hosmer built a store building and a res- 
idence. This was the pioneer business house 
of the town. In the winter of 1861-2 Mr. 
Homer and N. E. Strong put up a steam saw 
mill, which was the only one " for many miles 
around," and settlers came often from tift}^ 
to seventy-five miles after lumber. 

As an instance of the lack of sawmills it 
is told that, on the opening of the Winnebago 
reservation in 1863 or 1864, a man hastened 
there, staked out his claim, and leaving his 
family in his wagon-box upon the ground, 
covered only by its canvas, tent-like covering, 
started off for lumber to put up a cabin. 
He first went to Mankato, then on up to 
Faribault, and from thence to other places, 
but could not even hear of any lumber to be 
had, and when finally he did reach Hosmer 



& Strong's mill, he had been nearly two 
weeks on the hunt, and had not secured a 
single board. He filled up his wagon and 
started for his claim, which he found all 
right, and his family patiently awaiting his 
return. 

This mill was a very large one for the time 
and the country, being 32x60 feet in size, and 
two stories in height, besides the basement. 
They had finished the upper floor for a hall, 
and in it were held the first religious services 
in the village. These were conducted by a 
man by the name of W. G. Alexander. On 
the day in question, there being a large 
sugar camp in operation run by Mr. Alexan- 
der, and the saj) running freely, the dishes 
and troughs soon filled, and as it was neces- 
sary to gather it or lose a large amount of 
the sugar-making sap, the settlers, I'ather 
than have him sustain the loss of his sugar, 
to induce him to work on Sunday told him 
that they would not go to church until they 
had collected the sweet, and although he 
was a man very rigid in his religious ideas, 
he was compelled tosuspend the service until 
that was accomplished or have no congrega- 
tion ; so making a merit of the necessity, he 
gracefully gave in, and the sap was gathered 
When that was finished, all filed into th( 
Iniildinir and tlie church service held, with a 
full attendance. So strict was Mr. Alexan- 
der in his ideas of the observance of the 
Sabbath, that a story was current that he 
had shut up his bees in their hives on that 
day, that they might not violate the com- 
mandment against working. 

The first store in the village was ])ut up 
by J. W. Hosmer, as has been already re- 
lated. Shortly after this, a merchant of 
Waterville, by the name of Tidball, put in a 
branch store of the general character usual 
in new settlements, where the " store " sold 
nearly every thing from a needle to a crow- 
bar, sugar, calico, whiskey, quinine, etcet- 
era, particularly the latter. "Elder" Perkins 
was the manager of this enii)orium. Davis 
& Holstein were the next merchants, deal- 



616 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



ing largely with the Indians as already 
related. Several saloons were started, and 
at one time this branch had as many as 
eighteen representatives in existence. 

J. O. Chandler opened a general store 
there in 1866, whicli was the most extensive 
the town ever had, up to that time. 

Dr. E. O. Craig was the pioneer physician 
of the village, " hanoino- out his shingle " at 
that place in 1866. 

Besides the sawmill spoken of, another was 
erected west of the bridge just over the hill. 
by a man by the name of Waterburv. This 
was afterward bought by James Cummins 
and his brother, who ran it for some time. 
It was destroyed by fire, as was the Hosmer 
mill. 

J. W. Hosmer was the postmaster here for 
many years, but in 1867 J. O. Chandlei- held 
that office, and in 1869 removed it to the new 
village that has just spi-ung into existence. 

In 1869 and 1870, the whole of the little 
hamlet removed to the present village of 
Janesville, the presence of the railroad at that 
)>oint drawing trade there, and the old site is 
left in loneliness now. 

OKAMAX. 

The now extinct village that bore the 
name of Okaman was laid out on the north- 
east quarter of section 1. The site of the 
town was laid out by W. P. Mathes, B. S. 
Hall, S. M. Cooley, F. E. Koberts and G. H. 
Bishop, in May 1857. F. E. and James 
Roberts laid out an addition to the town 
site the same month. ]\Iuch was expected 
of the new town at that time, but it, alas, 
has passed away, and is numbered with the 
things that were. 

ELYSIAN. 

A small part of the village of Elysian lies 
on a portion of the northwest quarter of 
section 2. Nearl}"- all the town lies in La 
Sueur Count}', but little of it lying in Wa- 
seca. A histoi'v of that village will be found 
in the annals of the county in wliicb it 
lies. 



trast ^anesVill 



e, 

or the new town of Janesville, is situated 
on the east half of section 3.3 and the west 
half of section .34, and was laid out originally 
by J. W. Sprague, general managei' of the 
Winona & St.Peter Railroad, inAugust, 1869, 
S. H. Mott being the surve^'or. Nine additions 
to the town plat have been made since by J. 
W. Sprague, W. G. Allyn, Adna Carpenter 
E. II. Gosper and George French. This is 
official and taken from the records of tlie 
county. 

On the foundation of this town, at the 
time of the building- of the railroad througli 
here, most of the business men of the old 
town moved to this point. 

The first building was erected by H. D. 
Baldwin, inAugust, 1869, the first load of 
lumber for which was hauled by J. AV. Cum- 
mins. Tliis building, in an unfinished condi- 
tion, was used as a boarding-house and a 
hotel by the " Judge" for a year or two, 
when it was purchased by Frank Johnson, 
who finished it, made considerable additions 
and improvements, and after its remodeling 
opened it as a hotel with the name of the 
Jolmson House displayed, a name that it 
bore until it was destro\'ed b^ lire in 1887. 
Mr. Johnson leased the building afterward 
to James Fisher, who was landlord until suc- 
ceeded by B. II. Hanaford. W. W. Day 
was the next host of this hostelry, and was 
succeeded by John Church, the genial pro- 
prietor of the DeGraff House, who was the 
occupant of the old hotel at the time of its 
destruction. 

J. O. Chandler came to the new town in 
the fall of 1869, and, putting up a building, 
removed his stock of goods from the old 
town and adding to it opened the first store 
in the town. This stock was of the miscella- 
neous character that is known by the name 
of general merchandise. The second was 
put up by A. W. Jennison and F. H. Miner. 
D. J. Dodge & Co., J. D Andrews and 
Denzil Vai's were among the pioneer busi- 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



617 



ness houses of the town. D. J. Dodge & 
Co. dealt in hardware and goods of that 
description ; J. D. Andrews dispensed drugs, 
medicines, paints, oils, etc.; and Denzil Vars 
ran a butcher shop. 

These were the pioneers in their respective 
lines. 

All, or nearly all, of the buildings in the 
old village were removed to the new one 
during the winter of 1869-70, and when 
spring had come, in the latter year, the place 
had already put on the looks of a thriving 
village, and promised a good healthy gro-\vth. 
From that time on it has gradually increased 
both in size and business importance, until 
to-day it ranks only second to the city of 
Waseca, in the county. In 1885, by the 
census then taken, it had a population of 
1,051, and has probably added another hun- 
dred to that since that time. 

With the spring of 1870 building com- 
menced, and rapidly, as if by magic, edifices 
of all kinds sprang into being ; although lots 
were, by the good judgment of the proprie- 
tors kept at reasonable figures, still the town 
had a " boom," to use a current expression. 

Dr. K. O. Craig was the first physician 
in the village of Janesville. Dr. M. J. Taylor 
is the present leading physician, R. O. Craig 
no longer practicing his profession. 

John Bradish was the pioneer attorney of 
the town. This profession is represented at 
present by A. J. O'Grady and L. D. Rogers, 
both of whom are mentioned in the chapter 
devoted to bench and bar of the county, in 
this volume. 

The present business interests of the town 
of Janesville are represented by the follow- 
ing firms, who nearly, if not quite all, are 
doing a flourishing business : J. F. Cordry & 
Co., F. H. Miner, Chase & Day and Finley 
Bros., in general merchandise ; Bailey & 
Watkins and F. L. Hagen, hardware; Craig 
*fe Chandler and Emerson & Emerson, drugs ; 
J. G. Smith and W. Merrill, jewelry ; il. 
D. Cameron, furniture ; E. Dieudonne, J. 
A. Tyrholm and Carpenter & Morrill, deal- 



ers in agricultural implements, etc. ; F. M. 
Long and the Laird-Norton Co., lumber ; 
Gutfleisch & Britton, clothing and gents' 
furnishing goods and custom tailoring ; H. J. 
Cummins, grocery ; E. H. Gosper, meat 
market ; F. A. Selover and J. F. Gilday, 
restaurant. 

F. H. Miner came to this county in the 
fall of 1 863, and for the first four years was 
a citizen of New Richland, but at the expir- 
ation removed to the then new village of 
Waseca, where he was engaged in the wheat 
trade and the sale of agricultural machinery 
for some two years. On the laying out of 
the new village of Janesville, he came hither, 
and entering into partnership with A. W. 
Jennison, put up the second store building 
in the town, and put in a general stock of 
merchandise, under the firm name of Jenni- 
son & Miner. They remained together 
for fourteen \^ears, when Jennison sold his 
interest to S. F. Shephard, and the firm of 
Miner & Shephard carried on the business 
for two 3'ears, since which time Mr. Miner 
has been carrying on the business alone. 

Mr. Miner is a native of the State of New 
York, born in 1810. When quite young the 
family removed to Vermont, where they re- 
sided but about two years, and then moved 
to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1863, 
when he came to Minnesota as above men- 
tioned. He married Addie Wookey in 1869. 

Charles Gutfleisch, of the firm of Gutfleisch 
& Britton, is a native of Germany, born in 
1856. When about seventeen years of age 
he emigrated to America, and came direct 
to the city of Waseca, where he worked at 
the tailor's trade from 1872 until 1878, when 
he removed to the village of Janesville and 
opened a tailor shop for himself, being one 
of the sufl'erei's by the fire of 1887. He 
shortly afterward formed a partnership with 
R. L. H. Britton, and they erected the brick 
building where they carr^f on the clothing 
and men's furnishing goods trade, Mr. 
Gutfleisch having charge of the merchant 
tailoring department. 



618 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtTNTY. 



R. L. H. Britten came to this county 
November 18, 1871, witli his father, who 
located on section 16, Alton Township. He 
remained with him until the spring of 1886, 
when he came to the village of Janesville 
and engaged in the sale of agricultural im- 
plements, which business he continued until 
the spring of 1887, when the present firm of 
Gutfleisch & Britton was formed. Mr. 
Britton is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born 
February 24, 1854. When he was about a 
year old the family removed to Kentucky, on 
Hunter's Bottom, opposite Madison, Ind., 
where they lived five years, and then re- 
turned to Hamilton County, Ohio, whei-e 
they resided until coming here. His mother 
died there February 13, 1879. She was a 
native of Long Island, born in February 
18(19. His father is a native of New Jersey, 
born January 20, 1803, now living in Alton. 

James Cummins was born in Bristol, 
Kenoslia County, Wis., March 5, 1840. He 
remained in that locality until 1857, when he 
came here, and for a time was backward and 
forward between this and Blue Earth coun- 
ties. In 1858 he had a government contract 
to break 100 acres of land on the reservation 
for the Indians, part in each county. He 
then came to the old town of Janesville, and 
for a time worked in Hosmer & Strong's 
sawmill, and later, with his brother, bought 
another mill, just west of the former, and 
ran that for a while. He has been entensively 
engaged in railroad contract work, getting 
out timber and ties, and other work. In 
1876 he came to the new village of Janes- 
ville and entered in the meat-market business. 
Later he ran a hardware store, but is now in 
the grocery trade witli its accompaniments. 
June 19, 1862, he was united in marriage 
with Miss H. J. Coddington. 

Henry Chase came to the county of 
Waseca in the year 1863, and settled in the 
town of Freedom, on section 33. On the 
starting of the village of Janesville he came 
liere and for a time ran a dray line, and 
later opened a livery stable which he carried 



on for a time. He then sold out and went 
East, but in 1875 returned here, and in com- 
pany with J. E. Cordrey, went into the 
general merchandise trade. In 1SS4 he sold 
out his interest there to Chandler & Craig, 
and the same season, in partnership with 
Fred. Williams, opened another store in the 
same line. In the fall of 1887 the present 
firm of Chase & Day was formed. Mr. 
Chase is a native of Vermont, born in 1842, 
and is the son of Jacob and Mary (Morse) 
Chase, both born in Vermont. He remained 
with his parents until 1862, when he enlisted 
in Company E, Ninth Vermont Infantry 
under Col. Stannard, but in the first engage 
ment, at Winchester, Va., he was taken 
prisoner, and after four montlis in Libby 
prison, was released on parole. He received 
his discharge in Februar\% 1863, and the 
same year came to Minnesota. 

W. W. Day came to Waseca County in 
1878, settling in the village of Janesville, buy- 
ing out the livery business of Hubbard tt Cum- 
mins, and five years later the stable of Chan- 
dler Bros., combining the two into one. This 
he ran until March, 1887, when he sold out 
the same, together with his dray line, to J. 
C. and P. J. Murphy, and, building a neat 
brick building on the west side of the main 
street, formed the copartnership with Henry 
Chase, and under the firm name of Chase A: 
Day opened a general merchandise stoi-e. 
Mr. Day is a native of Michigan, born in 
July, 1856, and is the son of W. C. and Alma 
L. Day. He remained with them until com- 
ing to Minnesota. March 19, 1875, he was 
united in marriage with Lois J. Lobdell, a 
native of Buffalo, N. Y. They have two 
children : Arthur and Mabel. 

E. H. Gosper came to the county of 
Waseca in 1869, and located in the then new 
village of Janesville, where for a time he 
had charge of a lumber yard and a sawmill 
in. the old village. In connection with these 
businesses he had charge of the sale of the 
town lots here, and had the control of them 
until 1873. In 1872 he opened a general 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



619 



merchandise store and continued in that line 
until 18S2. In 1883 he opened the meat- 
market which he is at present running. E. H. 
Gosper is a native of the State of New York, 
born in 1842. He is the owner of a farm, 
which he carries on in connection with his 
other business. 

Josejjh Davidson came to Waseca County 
in 1862, locating in Byron Township. Later 
he enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy 
Artillery, Battery D, and served in the 
war under General Thomas, until September, 
1865, when he received his discharge at 
Chattanooga, Tenn. He then returned to 
"Waseca County. When the village of Janes- 
ville started, in 1869, he came to this place 
and helped to erect some of the first build- 
ings. Joseph Davidson is the son of James 
and Ella Davidson. He was born in the 
State of New York in 1834, and there he re- 
mained with his parents until twenty-one 
years of age, when he went to Green Lake 
County, Wis., and worked at carpentering, 
being a contractor and builder. There he 
remained until he came to Waseca County 
in 1862. 

James C. Murphy is a native of Dodge 
County, Wis., born July 14, 1861. When he 
was some four years of age, in 1865, his par- 
ents, Patrick and Ellen (Campbell) Murph}^ 
came to Waseca County and they purchasetl 
a farm on sections 21 and 22, Alton Town- 
ship, where they still reside. There James 
was reared and educated. He taught school 
for some three winters in district No. 66, 
working on the farm in the summers. In the 
spring of 1887 he and his brother, Patrick 
J., purchased the livery business of W. W. 
Day, of Janes ville, and are now running the 
same, James having chai'ge. James C. Mur- 
phy and Margeret L. Callahan were united 
in mari'iage. May 25, 1887. She was born 
near Montello, Marquette County, Wis., and 
came with her jiarents to St. Mary, this 
county, where they now live. 

Patrick J. Murphy was born in Dodge 
County, Wis., December 20, 1864, and came 



with his parents to this county in November, 
1865, and now resides with them on the farm 
in Alton Township, although engaged with 
his brother James in the livery business. 

The first bank in the village was estab- 
lished b}^ Hill Bros, in 1879, and continued 
by them for about three years. It was then 
purchased by O. P. Smith, who managed it 
until 1884, when it passed into the hands of 
Jennison Bros. & Co. The latter firm were 
burned out in the great fire of April 12, 
1887, and for a time carried on their bank- 
ing business at the office of the mill. They 
are now the occupants of a neat and tasty 
brick building, erected by themselves in 
the summer of 1887, on the east side of 
Main street. It is quite commodious and 
fitted up with counter, safes, etc., in excel- 
lent shape. John W. Jennison is cashier. 

A. W. Jennison, one of the firm of Jenni- 
son Bros., bankers, millers, etc., is a native 
of the State of Vermont; born in 1839, 
and is the son of Jason H. and Lydia 
(Gage) Jennson. He remained in the Green 
Mountain State until 1860 when he came 
west and located in Green Lake County, 
Wis., where he purchased a farm and oper- 
ated that until 1866, when he removed into 
the village of Kingston and entered into 
mercantile trade. In 1868 his store was 
burned out, he meeting with a loss of some 
$5,000. The fall of that year he came to 
the village of Waseca, where he remained 
until October, 1869, when he removed to the 
rising village of Janesville, and, in company 
with F. H. Miner, put up a store building, 
the second in the place, and putting in a stock 
of merchandise, continued a member of the 
firm of Jennison & Miner until 1883, when 
he sold out. Previous to this, however, he 
had taken charge of the lumber yard of Laird, 
Norton & Co., and had the management of 
that until 1886. In 1883 he purchased ft,n 
interest in the Banner flouring mill, and since 
that time has devoted his time to the mill 
and banking business as already related. 

The Banner Hourin«' mill was erected in 



620 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



1873 by the firm of Stokes, Kimball & Co., 
who operated it for some time, when it passed 
into the hands of Stokes Bros. & Co. In 
1886, the latter tirm disjjosed of it to Jenni- 
son Bros., the present owners. 

The Diadem flouring mill was removed 
to Janes vi lie from Taopi, Mower Count\', 
this State, by Ilarn, Snyder & Co., about the 
year 1877, and rebuilt in a substantial man- 
ner. After operating it here for about two 
years, misfortune overtook them, and failing 
in business, the mill was allowed to stand 
idle for about three years, when it came into 
the possession of Hillyer & Tillotson, who 
ran it for some eighteen months, and then 
disposed of it to J. S. Sutcliffe, who is now in 
Minneapolis engaged in the grain commis- 
sion business. December, 1886, it was pur- 
chased by the present owners, Jenuison 
Bros., who now oi)erate both mills. These 
two manufacturing enterprises ' under one 
management are turning out about 4.50 
barrels of flour per day, which they ship 
to eastern markets. They are both fully 
equipped with roller machinery; with all the 
necessary adjuncts that go to make up first- 
class mills, and are a credit to the business 
enterprise of the able firm of Jennison 
Bros. 

J. M. Gordon, the miller of the Banner 
flouring mill, came to Waseca County with 
his parents in 1867. They settled about 
half a mile .south of the village of Janesville 
on section 5, where they still live. J. M. 
remained at home with them until he was 
al)out fifteen years of age, when he went to 
Dodge County, this State, where he worked 
on a farm. Later he was employed in a 
brickyard at Mankato, but in October, 1881, 
came into the Banner mill, then operated 
by Stokes Bros., where he has since re- 
mained, taking charge of the same as head 
miller and superintendent in October, 1886. 
He is the son of William and Mary Gordon ; 
was born June 6, 1860, and was married Oc- 
tober 1, 1881, to Eudora Clark, a daughter 
of Joel and Lavina Clark. Mr. and Mrs. 



Gordon are the parents of two children : Guy 
and Vern. 

A gristmiU was put up at this place in 
1876-7 by Waterbury & Wagoner, who ran 
it for a time, when A. Carpenter purchased 
the interest of Mr. Waterbury. The new 
firm of Carpenter & Wagoner repaired it 
and remodeled it and operated it for a short 
time, when it became the property of A. 
Carpenter, who managed it a little while by 
himself, but in 1880 it was destroyed by fire. 
It is said to have been a very fine little mill 
and well equipped with excellent machinery. 

About the year 1872 Hurd Bros., erected 
a sawmill at this point and ran it for a 
time. One of the proprietors being killed 
by an accident it was sold to II. P. Pack- 
ard, now of Redfield, D. T., who added a 
stave factory to it. It was afterward sold 
to Jennison Bros., and finally swept out 
of existence by fire. On its site Mills Gil- 
more erected a sawmill and wood-bending 
works. He sold it to Kichard Ash, the pres- 
ent owner. 

Hosmer, Gosper & Packard at one time 
ran a mill for the manufacture of broom- 
handles, oak staves and clothes pins, but 
they discontinued the business, and the 
buildings went to rack and ruin. 

A barrel and tub factory was put up by 
L. V. B. Welch, who ran it for awhile, when 
he was succeeded in the business by S. C. L. 
Moore, but in the course of time it became 
again the property of Mr. Welch, who 
finally closed it up. The building is now 
useil as the cooper shop connected with the 
rtourmills. 

The upright part of the elevator was 
erected by the Winona <k St. Peter Pail- 
road Company, on their reaching this point 
in 1869. This was added to, in 1874:, by the 
then owners, Shabut et Lewis, of Mankato. 
Shephard ife Sanborn purchased it next and 
operated it until S. F. Shephard bought out 
Lis partner and ran it alone. The next firm 
was Jennison Bros. & Co., who operated it 
for about four years, but in May, 1886, Jen- 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



621 



nison Bros, obtained complete control and 
are now tlie owners. P. M. Enright is the 
superintendent and manager. 

P. M. Enright came to this county in 
1874, and settled in the village of Janesville, 
where he still lives, engaging in the wheat 
business for G. W. Van Dusen & Co., of 
Rochester City, Minn., and has been in 
that line of trade ever since. He was born 
in Montreal, Canada, December 23, 1848, 
and is the son of Jeremiah and Mary (Sulli- 
van) Enright. He lived with his parents, 
working on a farm until 1870, when he came 
to the United States, locating at that time 
at Fort Wayne, Ind., where he worked for 
the railroad company for about two years. 
From there he removed to Columbus, Wis., 
at which place he was in the grain business 
for about a year and a half, and then came 
to Janesville. February 3, 1876, he was 
united in marriage with Miss A. W. Ilofel- 
man. They are the parents of five children: 
Hattie, Barney, Minna, Amy and John. 
He held the office of street commissioner of 
Janesville for two years, and is now a mem- 
ber of the board of education. 

The De Graff House, the only hotel in the 
village, was built during the summer of 
1887. John Church, who was running the 
Johnson House at the time of the fire, put 
up the present fine structure, which deserves 
more than a passing notice. It is a brick 
veneered building having a handsome por- 
tico in front, and is finished in a tasty 
manner, both inside and outside. It con- 
tains a large and commodious reception 
room and office, sample rooms, dining room, 
Avash room, ])arlor and twenty bedrooms, 
and will be well furnished throughout as 
soon as Mr. Church, the genial and efficient 
landlord, can get the furniture into the new 
building. 

The postoffice was removed to this village 
from the old town in the fall of 1869 by J. 
O. Chandler, who was the postmaster at 
that time. The following year he was suc- 
ceeded bv J. W. Vars, who held it for a 



time, Avhen he was followed by D. A. Ran- 
dall. In 1873 Clarence E. Graham was 
made the postmaster, which he ran in con- 
nection with the Argus until October 24, 
1881, when he was succeeded by J. A. 
Henry. J. W. Tefft is the present incumbent 
of the office, but it is under the management 
of Mr. Henry, who is the able editor of the 
Argus. 

The first schoolhouse was erected in 1871 
at a cost of $2,800, and it is still used for 
educational purposes. This structure was 
sufficient for the needs of the village until 
1877, when another was built. This is now 
used by the Good Templars as a hall of 
meeting. The present brick schoolhouse 
was erected in 1885, at a total cost of about 
$7,000; in this are four schoolrooms and a 
library. All three of these structures are on 
one block. Prof. Wheaton, from Caledonia, 
Houston County, with a corps of four teach- 
ers. Misses Co}^, Sackitt, Baker and Ilaginau 
preside over the elevation of the youthful 
minds. 

The first church building in the village 
was erected by the Free Will Baptist Soci- 
ety in 1870, and is still in use by the same 
congregation. The church cost some $3,000. 
Rev. Mr. McElroy is the present pastor. 

The next to put up a building were the 
Episcopalians in 1877, at a cost of about 
$2,000. Rev. Mr. Cornell is the rector at 
this writing. 

The Roman Catholic congregation erected 
a fine church edifice here in 1876, at an ex- 
penditure of about $6,000. At that time 
Rev. Father Herman had charge of the par- 
ish, and continued here until 1879. Rev. 
Father P. J. O'Niel, the present pastor, is a 
native of the north of Ireland, born in 18.58, 
and is the son of Francis and Ellen (Higgins) 
O'Neil, natives of that country. He received 
his education in the seminary in Langford, 
remaining there the years of 1877 and 1878, 
in classic studies, and in All Hallows for- 
eign missionary college, where he remained 
for five years. He then came to America, 



«22 



HISTOKY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



locating at Minneapolis, this State, where 
for one year he acted as assistant to Kev. 
Father James McGuh'ick, and then was ap- 
pointed to his present charge, coming to 
Janesville in August, 1885. 

In 1880 the Methodist Episcopal denomi- 
nation erected a fine brick structure for re- 
ligious purposes, at a cost of $i,000. 

The Lutheran Evangelical Church was 
erected at a cost of $3,500, during the year 
1885. 

A large building 45x100 feet in size, was 
erected in 1878, and is used as a town hall. 
It is a fine building of brick, and cost in the 
neighborhood of $5,000. 

Janesville Lodge, No. 124, Ancient Free 
and Accepted Masons, was organized under 
dispensation, August 10, 1875, with the fol- 
lowing ofiicers : E. O. Craig, W. M. ; E. H. 
Gosper, S. W. ; F. H. Miner, J. W. ; E. M. 
Eedfield, S. D. ; J. W. Tefft, J. D. ; S. C. L. 
Moore, S. S. ; C. H. Younglove, J. S. ; E. 
Heritage, Tyler. Besides these officers there 
were the following members at the date of 
organization: E. N. Sackett, Kelsey Curtis, 
Darling Welch, and J. O. Chandler. The 
charter was issued to this Lodge February 
11, 1877, and the following officers installed : 

E. O. Craig, W. M. ; E. H. Gosper, S. W. ; 

F. H. Miner, J. W. ; C. Hallack, T. ; J. W. 
Tefft, S.; S. C. L. Moore, S. D. ; C. H. 
Younglove, J. D. ; A. Carpenter, S. S. ; D. 
Welch, J. S. ; E. Heritage, Tyler. 

The lodge has a present membership of 
forty-tlD'ee brethren of the square and com- 
pass, and holds regular communications on 
the second Wednesday evening in each 
month. The officers for 1887 are the follow- 
ing named brethren : W. J. Baker, W. M. ; 
D. J. Dodge, S. W. ; P. M. Enright, J. W. ; 
J. W. Jennison, S. ; J. V. Kee, T. ; W. W. 
Day, S. D. ; J. A. Willis, J. D. ; L. D. Eog- 
ers, S. S. ; W. F. Gottschalk, J. S. ; J. W. 
Tefft, Tyler. 

The village of Janesville was incorporated 
May 10, 1870, when the following officers 
were elected ; E. O. Craig, J. O. Chandler, 



and A. W. Jennison, trustees ; H. D. Bald- 
win, justice of the peace. This election was 
held at the hotel of the last named individual. 
At the first meeting of the village board, at 
the office of E. O. Craig, William Huse was 
chosen town clerk, H. D. Cameron, treasurer, 
and Henry Chase, marshal. The present 
officers are as follows : E. Dieudonne, presi- 
dent; D. J. Dodge, treasurer ; W. H. Kidney, 
recorder ; Paul Avers, marshal ; M. J. Gor- 
don, commissioner, and George A. AVilson, 
justice. 

fiee! 

On Tuesday evening, April 12, 1887, a 
large share of the beautiful village of Janes- 
ville was laid waste by fire, which has no 
parallel in the history of the count3^ 8ays 
the Argus of April 18: "In the short space 
of two hours, the homes and property of over 
one hundi'ed people were swept away, leav- 
ing a scene of distressing desolation. 

"At five minutes past nine, the sound of 
the Banner mill whistle and the ringing of 
bells was heard, bringing people out, all cen- 
tering in one direction — toward the rear of 
the Northwestern Hotel, whei-e a vast sheet 
of fire and smoke were pouring from the toj) 
of the building. The fire was located in the 
loft, which was pretty well filled with hay, 
and it was only a few moments ere it had 
spi'ead, with almost lightning rapidity, to 
adjoining buildings, the Northwestern Hotel, 
Kleeman's building, Tom Moonan's building, 
occupied by Mr. Gorman, and the Johnson 
House. 

" Efforts to stay the progress of the fire 
were useless. Everything on that side of the 
street was doomed. The flames spread over 
the block, reaching theu' fiery tongues in 
every direction. On the north from the 
Johnson House and across the street, is loca- 
ted Emerson's drug store. For a short time 
it seemed as if this too must succumb, but b}' 
dint of haril work it was saved, and with it 
the block. From the south the flames com- 
municated to the McCabe building, burning 
with it Tyrholm's machinery, from thence to 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



623 



Dieiidonne's store and \varehouse, where sad 
havoc was made. Machinery of all kinds 
was drawn into the street, only to be licked 
up by the devouring flames. Ilogan's saloon 
next succumbed, followed by Charles Gvit- 
fleisch's building and the lumber yards. In 
the meantime, barns and outhouses were in 
flames, to which no attention was paid. The 
liver}' stable barn was saved, but how, and 
by what means, seems to be a miracle. For- 
tunately for tliat and the elevator, the direc- 
tion of the wind favored them. 

" But ere this, the flames had leaped across 
the street and were wrapping ever^'thing in 
their deadly embrace. The first to feel its 
efl'ects was F. L. Hagen's large hardware 
store. To the north. Chandler & Craig's 
building, occupied by Haggerty & Fitzgerald, 
and south, Powell Ayer's grocery, occupied 
by W. G. AUyn, went quicklj'. South of 
Allyn's came C. Guior's saloon, the postofBce 
and Argus office, Kruger's saloon, Hallack's 
building, occupied 1)\' Chas. Hohen as a har- 
ness shop, the bank, and Britton's office. 
From Chandler & Craig's building the flames 
leaped and struggled and roared, in a vain 
endeavor to penetrate the brick hardware. 
Several times the windows were on fire, the 
flames reaching inside, but as man}' times 
they were extinguished. They reached over 
tlie building almost from the Johnson House, 
setting fire to Miner's store and Gilday's sa- 
loon. But here was stationed a large bucket 



brigade, and the hand engine, and it was by 
prompt and efficient work that the progress 
of the fire was stopped. 

" To the rear of these buildings were 
several ice houses. Dodge's large warehouse, 
and several outbuildings that went up. 
Peters' wagon and blacksmith shop was saved, 
by earnest and persistent work. The town 
well was located here, and by this means the 
building was saved. 

" The loss was extremely heavy, aggregat- 
ing some $46,000, on which there was the 
trifling insurance of about $6,200." 

" Too much praise cannot be accorded the 
women of the town, for their heroic and en- 
ergetic efforts in saving goods and material. 
They were out in force and labored like 
Trojans. 

" The origin of the fire is unknown. It 
was discovered in the loft of the barn, as pre- 
viously stated, but just what was the cause, 
no one knows. A small bonfire had been 
kindled during the day in the vicinity of the 
barn, but it was stated positively that it was 
thoroughly extinguished." 

But what was a great, and to some extent 
an irreparable loss, has been the gain of the 
community, for on nearly all of the lots left 
vacant by the fire have risen brick buildings, 
that give a look of substantiality to the vil- 
lage that, together with its beauty of location 
and bright business outlook, will attract those 
seeking a home, to this place. 



CHAPTER XXII. 




WOODA^LLE TOWNSHIP. 



[lIE teiTitorj' known as Woodville 
lies in the second tier of town^ 
ships from the north line of the 
county, on its eastern margin. It 
embraces all of congressional 
township 107 north, range 22 
west, and contains about 23,000 
acres, 2,000 of which are covered 
with the pellucid waters of the 
lakes that dot its bosom. The 
surface is most beautifully diversified ; gently 
undulating in some places, it becomes nearly 
flat in others ; prairie interspersed with tim- 
ber, and in some places, notably in the vicin- 
ity of the lakes, heavy groves make up a 
picture of great natural beauty. The lakes, 
most of them of considerable size, are gener- 
ally of clear water and enhance the peace- 
ful loveliness of the scenery. The principal 
of these bodies of water. Clear Lake, lying 
partially in sections 8, 9, 16 and 17, is about 
a mile and a half long by about three-quar- 
ters of a mile wide. Loon Lake, half in sec- 
tion 7 and half in section IS, is less in size. 
Goose Lake occupies part of sections 11, 14 
and 15, and Rice Lake, part of which, onl3% 
is in this township, fills up a portion of sec- 
tions 3 and i ; Watkins Lake on sections 2 
and 3, Gaiter Lake, on the corner between 
sections 16, 17, 20 and 21, and two smaller 
ones lying between sections 20 and 29, make 
up the complement. The soil, equal in pro- 
ductiveness and fertility to any in the State, 
is the dark, rich loam that predominates in 
this portion of Minnesota. 

Woodville has the best railroad facilities of 
any township in the county, the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad crossins' it from east 



to west, on sections 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 
18, and the Minneapolis & St. Louis from 
north to south, on sections (i. 7, 18, 19, 30 
and 31, intersecting on the northeast quar- 
ter of section 18, at the city of Waseca. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Obediah Powell came to this count}' from 
Rice County, arriving on the 6tli of May, 
1856. The next day he picked out a piece 
of land upon Avhich he filed his claim on the 
9th of the same month. This was the south- 
east quarter of the southwest quarter, and 
the south half of the southeast quarter of 
section 5, and the southwest quarter of the 
southwest quarter of section 4. Only a forty 
of the original homestead is now included in 
his fine farm of 160 acres, on section 5. 

Obediah Powell is a native of the State of 
New York, born February 1, 1828. He is 
the son of Hiram and Mary (Carpenter) 
Powell, both natives of the Empire State. 
His father died in Januar}', 1859, but his 
mother is still living. Mr. Powell started 
out for himself about 1850, first as a farmer 
in his native State, then in Pennsylvania. 
In 1855, he emigrated to the State of Minne- 
sota, locating for a few months in Rice 
County, when he came to this county as 
above mentioned. On the 5th of July, 1857, 
he and Miss Mary Jane Gray were united in 
the bonds of holy matrimony. Mrs. Powell 
is also a native of New York, born March 
22, 1836. They are the parents of nine chil- 
dren: George, born May 11, 1858; Norton, 
born July 25, 1860; Amalyor, born March 5, 
1863 ; Julia, May 7, 1865; Hiram, June 10, 
1868; Frost, December 15,1870; Augusta, 



eat 




•»«l«* 



*-¥- 



^O-^-'T.-^,^ 



?h. 



W 




HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



627 



March 30, 1867; Elmer, April 20, 1873; 
Rutherford, March 4, 1877 ; Hattie, June 8, 
1879 ; Mary, May 23, 1875. Of these two 
are deceased. Augusta, died April 11, 1867, 
and Mary February 26, 1876. Mr. Powell 
has been quite prominently identified with 
the interests of Waseca County, was chair- 
man of the board of supervisors of the county 
in 1858 and 1859, and has served for five 
years as county commissioner for the 1st 
district. He is one of the leading Republi- 
cans of this county, and merits and retains 
the respect and esteem of all with whom he 
comes in contact. 

Eri G. Wood and his brother, Loren Clark 
Wood, came here early in 1856, and took up 
claims. The last named, enlisting in the 
army for the suppression of the rebellion, 
contracted disease from the effects of which 
he died. 

Eri G. Wood, a native of Franklin 
County, N. Y., was born in 1832, and is the 
son of ISTathaniel and Almeda (Cochrane) 
Wood. His parents removed to Iowa in 
1845, and settled in Clayton County. Eleven 
years were spent there, and in 1856, when he 
was some twenty-four years of age, in com- 
pany with his brother Loren became to what 
is now Woodville Township, taking some 
good land. A portion of this claim is that 
upon which considerable additions to the 
city of Waseca are laid out and built upon. 
In point of fact Mr. Wood lives upon the 
same spot where he first built his pioneer 
cabin. He was, while a resident of Iowa, 
united in marriage with Mary L. Stevens. 
They are the parents of seven children : 
Loren G., who was born August 5, 1856, who 
is now married and resides in Waseca ; Sum- 
ner E., Luman L., Isabel, Robert Q., Flor- 
ence A. and ]Srelhe,born August 6, 1878, died 
February 7, 1879. 

Henry Watkins also made settlement in 
this town in the same year, coming here 
with the Wood family, and working for 
them during the summer of that year, and 
afterward taking up a claim on section 3, on 



the banks of the lake to which he gave his 
name— Watkins' Lake. Later he opened up 
a farm south and east of this. During the 
early part of the " seventies " he removed from 
this locality and is now living in Iowa. 

In the summer of 1856 C. B. Lyman came 
here and took up some land on section 18, it 
being lots along Loon Lake. Before cold 
weather set in, however, he sold his claim 
and returned to New York. 

Alfred C. Smith, who had come to Wa- 
seca County in 1855 with his father and lo- 
cated in Blooming Grove Township, although 
he had taken a claim in Woodville, moved 
to this town in 1856, and took up some land 
on section 5, opened up a farm whe)-e he 
lived until after the death of his father in 
JSTovember, 1872, when he removed back to 
Blooming Grove, where he now lives. 

Another very early settler was E. K. Carl- 
ton, who came here with his family in May, 
1856, and took up a claim on sections 5 and 
6, where he immediately built a cabin and 
moved. This shanty was, undoubtedly, the 
first one in the township covered with shin- 
gles. However, before this, the family had 
managed to live in it through a dry spell 
with a bark roof, but the first rain drowned 
them out, and shingling was deemed neces- 
sary. E. K. Carlton is a native of Otsego, 
N. Y., born February 5, 1811, and resided 
there and in that neighborhood and in Con- 
necticut until coming to Minnesota. He 
was married in 1842 to Mary Burdick, of 
Hornellsville. They have had seven children : 
Mary Eliza, Gertrude C, Horatio N., Lu- 
ceba, Lucius, Edgar and Emily. Mrs. Carl- 
ton died July 27, 1878, but her husband is 
still a resident of the county. 

Jacob Myers came here in the fall of 1856 
and made a claim on sections 17 and 18, the 
site of the city of Waseca, which he after- 
ward preempted. In 1867 he sold this piece 
of property to Ira C. Trowbridge, who laid 
out the town, and emigrated to the golden 
shores of the Pacific, and is now living in 
California. 



628 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTi'. 



William Dunn, a native of the Emerald 
Isle, came to this part of Waseca County 
from Indiana in 1856, and settled on section 
35. He died in this county in March, 18S4 ; 
his wife died in September, 1871. 

Daniel Egan, a native of Ireland, came to 
this place and located in 1857. He took up 
a claim and opened up a farm, where he died 
many years ago. 

Patrick Farrell came to Woodville Town- 
ship in 1857, and made a settlement on sec- 
tion 6, where he still resides. He is a native 
of Ireland, born March 17, 1832, and is the 
eldest son of William and Julia Farrell, who 
were the parents of eight children. For 
many years Mr. Farrell remained in the land 
of his birth, but finally concluded to seek his 
fortune in the new world, so accordingl}' set 
sail, and landed in New York. June 9, 1857, 
he was united in marriage with Julia Agen, 
born in 1832. They have been the parents 
of ten children: Lewis, Mary, Julia, Will- 
iam, Mary, Daniel, Mary Ann and Maggie. 
Of these the two first Marys are dead, the 
others are all living. Mr. and Mrs Farrell 
are members of the Catholic Church, and lie 
is, politically, a Democrat. 

Luman S. Wood came to the town of 
Woodville about 1857. He was a brother of 
Eri G. Wood, and a native of St. Lawrence 
County, N. Y., born in 1836. He resided 
with his parents until about twenty-five 
years of age when he enlisted in the First 
Minnesota Infantry. On the expiration of 
his term of service, he re-enlisted in the heavy 
artillery and served until the close of the 
war. About 1867 he was married to Fannie 
Lansdale, and prior to leaving for Oregon, 
in 1872, where he now resides, one child, 
Edith, was born to them. 

William M. Green, a millwright by occu- 
pation, came to Waseca County about the 
year 1857. He located in this township, and 
during his stay here followed his trade and 
ran a sawmill for about two years. He then 
removed to Warsaw, Rice County, and later 
to Wasioja, Dodge County, this State. 



Quite a number of settlers made their ap- 
pearance here in 1857, among whom were 
James Nitcher and W. H. Houck, the latter 
locating on section 2 ; John Morton, on the 
southwest quarter of section 30 ; Andrew 
Jackson, who settled in the eastern part of 
the town ; Frances Corr, Charles Domey, 
Austin Vinton still a resident of the town, 
located on section 36 ; S. II. Drum and 
Samuel Knutson, who settled on what is 
now known as the Roessler farm. 

FIRST ITEMS. 

The first birth in this township was that 
of Loren G., son of Eri and Mary L. Wood, 
born August 5, 1856. 

Probably the first religious services in the 
town were held at the house of E. G. Wood, 
in 1857, by Elder Moreland. 

A school was held in a log shanty close to 
Clear Lake, on section 17, during the sum- 
mer of 1859, of which Emma Cook was the 
teacher. 

The first cemetery was instituted on the 
east side of section 17, where some few were 
interred before the ground was survej'ed. 
Andrew Hicks who did the sui'veying 
being the first to be buried there after it \vas 
laid out. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Woodville was organized as a separate 
civil township, at a meeting of the county 
commissioners on the 5th of April, 1858. 

The first election was held at the house of 
Eri G. Wood, on section 17, that gentleman 
assisted by Jacob Myers and William Green, 
acting as judges of election. 

WASECA. 

A village was laid out upon section 31, in 
this township, early in 1856, by some Winona 
parties who gave it the Indian name of 
Waseca. They undertook to lobby in the 
State Legislature to have it made the seat of 
county justice, but failed in their object, al- 
though the name was given to the county. 
There never was any building on the town 
site except a pole claim shanty. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



OAK HILL STOCK FAJ{m. 

In speaking of the results of the develop- 
ment of Waseca County, we must not ne- 
glect to mention this, one of the leading stock 
farms of this part of the State. It lies upon 
sections 35 and 36, of Woodville Township 
and sections 1 and 2, of Otisco, and contains 
YOO acres of land. It is devoted to the breed- 
ing and raising of Percheron and French 
coach horses and Durham cattle. The place 
is laid out with great judgment for conveni- 
ence in carrying on the business for which 
it is intended, and the buildings are all that 
coukl be desired in that line. The house, 
a model in its way, was erected in 1882. to 
replace one built by Mr. Dunn on coming 
here in 1867, which although but 16x24, was 
then the best house in the county. It is 
used by James M. Dunn, the proprietor, as a 
granary. On the place are two large barns, 
one being 32x72 feet upon the ground,' 
with IS foot studding; the other is 32x42 
feet in size, 2(i feet high, with basement 
underneath. Besides this are machinery 
sheds, etc. Mr. Dunn is the owner of Brill- 
iant, No. 2,831, an imported Norman Perch- 
eron horse which weighs some twenty-three 
hundred pounds, and for points, is deemed 
one of the best of his class in the State; 
Apollo, No. 1,505, also an imported Norman 
Percheron, and LeDuc, an imi^orted French 
coach horse that excellent judges pronounce 
the equal of anything in the line of horse 
flesh of that character in Minnesota; besides 
a number of other thoroughbred and high- 
grade horses and mares, numbering some 
thirty-five head. 

In the way of short-horn Durham cattle, 
Mr. Dunn has a henl of about thirty-five 
head of thorough and high grades with Lone 
Star, a bull of fine strain and imported stock, 
at the head. At the county agricultural 
fair of 1887, Mr. Dunn took some seven first 
and two second premiums, being about all 
for which his stock was entered for compe- 
tition. 

James M. Dunn, the proprietor of Oak 



629 

Hill Stock Farm, is a native of Dumfrieshire 
Scotland, and was born March 5 1839 He 
is the son of Thomas Dunn and Isabella 
(Lindsay) Dunn, both natives of the same 
place, who had a family of ten children- 
Ann. James, Isabella, William, George! 
Walter, John, Eliza, Andrew and IsabeUa! 
ihe first named Isabella was drowned hence 
the repetition of the name. All are livino- 
except John and Isabella. In 1840 the fain 
ily came to the United States, first locatino- 
in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where the 
lather was engaged in farming and lumber- 
ing. In 1856 the family removed to Lee 
County, 111. While hving there, September 
16, 1862, the father of the family was killed 
by a stroke of lightning. The mother and 
the balance of the family came to Minne- 
sota in the fall of 1866, and in the sprino- of 
the following year J. M. purchased eiglity 
acres of land on section 36, in Woodville 
Township, part of his present extensive 
farm. From this humble beginning has 
grown the Oak Hill Stock Farm. Mr. Dunn 
was the leader in the movement to raise the 
grade of stock to a higher standard, bring- 
ing into this county the first imported 
stallion and mare. He is a Eepublican in 
politics, and a member of Tuscan Lodge, No. 
77, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; 
Waseca Chapter, Eoyal Arch Masons ; Gy- 
rene Commandery, No. 9, Knights Tem'plar 
July 18, 1868, J. M. Dunn and Matilda 
Turnacliff were united in marriage. She 
is a daughter of Ferdinand Turnacliff, one 
of the pioneers of this county, and is a native 
of Ohio, born March 16, 1848. They are the 
parents of six children : Thomas, born July 
5, 1871; Mary, born April 11, 1873; John, 
born March 13, 1879, and Isabella, born 
June 29, 1881, all living ; and Addie May, 
born April 25, 1879, died June 27, 1886, of 
scarlet fever, and an infant. 

MAPLETON STOCK FARM. 



This is one of the institutions of the town- 
siiip, -and is lieadquarters for finely bred 



630 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



stock. It contains some 262 acres of land 
situated on sections 16 and 21, and is but a 
mile and a half from the city of Waseca. It 
is the property of H. J. Young, M. D., one 
of the leading physicians of the latter place, 
lie has'a fine place here and is continually 
improving it. He has here a fine herd of 
short-horn cattle of some of the finest and best 
strains Ivnown, and particular attention is 
given rather to quality than to size, as the 
proprietor deems that paramouut. At the 
head of the herd is the bull, Knight of 
Maplewood. He has one of the best thor- 
oughbred trotting stallions in the State, 
Mambrino Eclipse, who has a record of 2:31-, 
and a trial record of 2:30, and unites in him- 
self some of the best blood in the world, be- 
ing descended from Mambrino Chief, the sire 
of Lady Thorn, and from Abdullah and im- 
ported Messenger. He is pronounced by 
excellent judges to be the peer of any horse 
in the State. Besides him the Doctor has 
other stock, all of a valuable nature, and 
calculated to do the county a large amount 
of good in raising the grade of the stock 
therein. Poland China hogs of pure strains 
are here carefully raised and brought to per- 
fection. Take it altogether the place is a 
great credit to any community, and although 
the proprietor is in full practice as a 
physician, he manages to give his stock farm 
a good deal of personal attention. 

., REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. 

A few biographical sketches of some of 
the leading agriculturists are here given as 
representing tlie people of the township. 

N. J. Leavitt, the proprietor of Lake View 
Stock Fann, is a native of Washington Coun- 
ty, Vt., born November 19, 1841, and is 
the son of Jonatlian and Sarah C. (Gilman) 
Leavitt. His father was born in Vermont, 
and his mother in New Hampshire, and they 
were the parents of six children, two boys 
and four girls: Zelotus, Sarah Jane, Nehe- 
miah J., Phylura, Agnes and infant daugh- 
ter. Nehemiah J. was but eleven years old 



when he began the world for himself, working 
at farm work, afterward learning the trade 
of carpenter, which he followed for about 
four years. On the 20th of November, 1861, 
he enlisted in Company C, Eighth Vermont 
Infantry, under Capt. Foster, as private. 
He participated in the battles of Fort Bis- 
land, those of the Red Kiver campaign, 
Alexandria, Port Hudson and others, and 
was discharged September 4, 1S63, for dis- 
ability, with the rank of sergeant. He re- 
turned to Vermont and engaged in wag-on- 
making for about a year, when he took up 
farming. Four years later he emigrated to 
Wisconsin, and in one year fi'om tliat time, 
to Waseca County, Minn. May 1, 1864, 
he was united in marriage with Lizzie P. 
Sterling, who was born in Vermont, August 
10, 1845. Tliey have two children : Her- 
bert, born August 30, 1865, and Frank, boi'u 
June 5, 1870, both of whom are living with 
their parents. Mr. Leavitt is an extensive 
raiser of thoroughbred Holstein cattle, and 
has a very fine herd of those animals on his 
extensive farm on section 1 6. He is a Re- 
publican politicall}'. 

William H. Gray was born in Lake Coun- 
ty, 111., July 22, 1840, and his parents were 
old settlers of Waseca County. Tlie family 
removed to West Union, Fayette County, 
Iowa, in 1853, and in' June, 1855, came to 
this count}^ settling on section 35 of the 
town of Blooming Grove, where the father 
died in 1872. William II. remained at home 
with his parents until April 25, 1862, when 
he enlisted in the Fifth Minnesota Infantry, 
under Captain E. A. Rice, and with his regi- 
ment participating in many engagements, 
among which were the siege of Corinth, 
battle of Corinth, Jackson, siege of Vicks- i 
burg, battle of Mechanicsburg, Fort De ' 
Russey, Clarksville, Bayou Roberts, Nash- 
ville, Spanish Fort, Tupelo, etc. After his 
discharge he came back to Waseca Count}', 
and m June, 1865, he was united in marriage 
with Rosalia E. Ketcham, who was boi-n in 
Ohio, May 24, 1846. They have been the 



HISTOEY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



631 



parents of six cliildren : Lura, born Novem- 
ber 11, 1866; Isora, March 6, 1870; Emer 
"W., March 11, 1873, died when nine months 
old; Orrilla Orlett, JSTovember 15, 1874; 
Fred. W.,May 9, 1877, and Lelace Henrietta, 
January 2, 1881. Mr. Gray is a member of 
McKnne Post, Grand Army of the Eepubhc, 
and is a Repulilican in politics. 

George H. Wood, an intelligent and thrifty 
farmer living on section 22, this township, 
is a native of Wisconsin, born September 29, 
1849. He is the son of Ezra H. and Cather- 
ine (Gamble) Wood, the former a native of 
Massachusetts, born May 1, 1814 ; the latter 
of New York, born September 15, 1820. 
They had a family of six children: Theo- 
dore, Emma, George Henry, Orry E., Ella 
A. and Alfred A. Mr. Wood's father died 
October 11, 1885, of consumption ; his mother 
September 29, 1886. George H, began life 
for himself when he was twenty-one years 
of age, engaging in farming on the place 
where he now resides. He was united in 
marriage July 4, 1877, with Jennie Deverell, 
who was born in Wisconsin, December 22, 
1857. They have a family of three children : 
Casper A., born Februarj' 2, 1879 ; Augusta 
A., January 6, 1883, and Frank G., Septem- 
ber 29, 1885. Mr. Wood was elected clerk 
of school district No. 45, in 1870, and held 
that position for t^velve years. 

John Curran was born near Milwaukee, 
Wis., November 28, 1847, and is the son of 
John and Mary (Roney) Curran, natives of 
Ireland, who came to this country in 1837, 
first locating in Milwaukee, but a year after- 
ward moved to Michigan. Later they re- 
turned to Milwaukee, where the father died 
May 12, 1860. In March, 1874, the family 
came to Waseca County, Minn., locating on 
section 29, this townshijj, where the mother 
still resides with her son James. When 
John Jr. had reached the age of eighteen 
years he started out in life for himself, en- 
gaging first in the sawmill business, which 
he followed for seven years. He then came 
to Waseca County and visited for about two 



months, going from here to Minneapolis. 
Later he went to the Red River country, 
where he was engaged in the lumbering bus- 
iness, and then came back to this county and 
settled on section 28, where he now resides. 
He carries on general farming and stock- 
raising. November 9, 1876, he and Mary 
Carraody were uniteil in marriage. She was 
born December 21, 1857. They are the par- 
ents of five children : Arthur, born Septem- 
ber 20, 1877; John, September 23, 1879; 
Thomas, March 1, 1882; Harry, May 6, 1884, 
and Mary, Fel^ruary 28, 1887. In 1884 Mr. 
Curran was elected school district treasurer, 
which office he still holds. 

James Curran, another son of John and 
Mary (Roney) Curran, resides on section 29, 
in this township. A sketch of his parents is 
given above, as a part of the personal history 
of the elder brother. James was appren- 
ticed at and learned the carpenter trade, 
which he occasionally follows now. He de- 
votes the greater part of his time to the 
various details of general farming and stock- 
raising. Mr. Curran is a native of Wiscon- 
sin, where he was born Sejjtember 11, 1857, 
and where he resided until 1877, when he 
came to Waseca County. He is unmarried, 
his mother living in the same house with 
him since her husband's death, and attending 
to the household duties thereof. In 1883, 
Mr. Curran was elected town supervisor and 
still holds that office. 

Andrew L. Dunn, whose farm of 104 acres 
lies on section 35, of this township, came to 
this county in 1866. He was twenty-two 
years of age when he began life for himself 
on his present place, as a farmer, and that 
vocation he has followed ever since, giving 
considerable attention to stock-raising. 
March 8, 1883, he was united in marriage 
with Carrie Rens, a native of Marion County, 
Iowa, and a daughter of John and Sarah 
(Fettgather) Rens, who were natives of Ger- 
many. Her father died in 1871, but her 
mother is still living in Wisconsin. Mr. and 
Mrs. Rens were the parents of four children : 



r)32 



HISTORY OF WASKCA COUNTY. 



Edith, Carrie, Arthur and Frank. Mr. Dunn 
is a Republican in politics. 

Lor in A. Gage, an enterprising farmer 
living on section 4, this township, is a na- 
tive of the State of New York, born April 
11, 1838. In 1852 he with his parents re- 
moved to the State of Illinois, where they 
lived for many years and then came to 
Waseca County. His father died at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty years. His mother 
has also been called to her rest beyond the 
dark river. They had a family of six chil- 
dren : Clarissa, Mary Jane, Jackson, Lorin, 
Olive and Harriet. Lorin A. Gage's wife is 
a native of Ireland, Catherine Collins by 
name. They have a good farm in an excel- 
lent state of cultivation and Mr. Gage shows 
by close attention to business that he un- 
derstands how to farm to obtain the best 
results for his labor. 

William Hover, who has a fine farm on 
section 8, in this township, is a native of the 
State of New York, born April 30, 1S2-I-, 
and is the son of Cornelius and Eunice 
Hover. He resided in the Empire State 
until 1854. In 1863 he came to Waseca 
County and located on a farm on section 
27, Vivian Township. On the 5th of No- 
vember, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, 
Fifth Minnesota Infantry, participating in 
most of the engagements in which that reg- 
iment was employed. He served his country 
at the front until September, 1865, when, re- 
ceiving his discharge, he came back to his 
home in Vivian Township, where he re- 
mained until 188('), when he sold out there 
and purchasing his j^resent place, removed 
thither. November 8, 1845, he was united 
in marriage with Susan Hill, who was also a 
native of New York, born August 21, 1826. 
Mrs. Hover died in Vivian, January 8, 1878, 
having been the mother of two children: 
Lucina D., born August 27, 1846, ami Lewis 
D., born December 25, 1847. In politics 
Mr. Hover's views coincide with those of the 
Republican party, which ticket he usually 
votes. 



Thomas Kennedy was born in Ireland, 
May 28, 1848, and is the son of Patrick and 
Mary Kennedy. The sanie year he was 
born the family emigrated to America and 
settled at St. Johns. N. B., where they re- 
mained some three years, when they re- 
moved to Vermont. Two years later they 
came west to Wisconsin, where Patrick Ken- 
nedy engaged in farming. Thomas Ken- 
nedy started out for liimself at the age of 
twenty-two, and has always followed farm- 
ing. October 11, 1862, he was united in 
marriage with Rose Reynolds, also a native 
of Ireland, born December 28, 1844, and is 
the daughter of Bernard and Catherine 
Reynolds. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy are the 
parents of eight children : John, Mary, 
Rose, Thomas, Bernard, Joseph, William and 
Edward, all of whom reside with their 
parents. The family are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

Henry Buker is a native of Germany, born 
May 14, 1837, and is the son of Henr\' and 
Gertrude (Gotmon) Buker, who had a family 
of five children : Christopher, Eliza, Henry, 
Jerry and Marv. His father died in the 
old country, and in 1861 the mother with 
her family came to America, first settling in 
Clayton County, Iowa, where they remained 
some ten years. Henry Buker commenced 
life for himself at the age of fourteen years, 
and has always followed farming. In Octo- 
ber, 1865, he was united in marriage with. 
Lena Make, who was born October, 8, 1841*. 
In 1874 they moved to Waseca County, where 
they settled on section 33, in Woodville Town- 
ship, where they now live, and where Mi'. 
Buker owns some 510 acres of as tine land as 
lies out doors. He and his wife are the 
parents of six children: AVilliam, born June 
24, 1866; Katie, October 16, 1867 ; Henry, 
August 15, 1870; John, March 15, 1871; 
Mar}', October 23, 1872, and Anna, Decem- 
ber 19, 1877. All the children live with 
their parents. The family are members of 
the Lutheran Church. Mr. Buker is a 
Republican in politics. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



633 



Henry F. Lewer is a native of Germany, 
born December 6, 1853, and is tb,e son of 
Henry and Margeret (Orns) Lewer, who had 
a famity of seven children, three boys and 
four girls, only one of whom is dead; the rest 
are living in the United States. In 1866 the 



family 



came 



to America, locating at La 



Crosse, Wis., where they only remained a 
few months, after which they came to Steele 
County, but seven months later moved to 
this county, settling in Vivian Township, 
where ■ they mostly still live, engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. Henr}^ F. com- 
menced life for himself on his marriage, 
November 14-, 1879, to Lena Scholljegerdes, 
who was also a native of Germany, born 
December 4, 1855. He moved to the farm 
on section 27, this township, where he now 
lives. In 1885 Mr. Lewer was elected town- 
ship assessor and still holds that office. He 
is a Eepublican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lewer have a family of two children : Henry, 
born October 28, 1883, and John, born Feb- 
ruary 9, 1886. The family are members of 
the Lutheran Church. 



Isaac Vickere, an enterprising agriculturist 
on section 33, this township, is a native of 
Somei'set County, Me., and was born March 
12, 183Jr. He is the son of Joseph and Susan 
(Small) Vickere, botli natives of the same 
county and State. The father died Novem- 
ber 18, 1876; the mother who was born in 
1806, is still living. At the age of twenty- 
one years Isaac began the world for him- 
self, first engaging in the lumbering business 
in Wisconsin, which he followed for some 
eighteen years. From there he came to 
Waseca County, locating on the farm on 
section 33, this town, where he now resides, 
and where he has some 240 acres of well im- 
proved land under high state of cultivation. 
September 15, 1869, Mr. Vickere and Addle 
Seager were united in marriage. She was 
born in the State of New York, July 19, 
1849. They have a family of two children : 
Albian, born March 8, 1875, and Mont R., 
born March 26, 1879. Mr. Vickere is a 
Republican in politics and a representative 
man of this township. 




CHAPTER XXIII. 




NEW RICHLAND TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE. 



I HE township of New Richland 
lies in the extreme southeastern 
corner of Waseca County, and 
embraces all of congressional 
township 1(>5 north, range 22 
west, and contains 22,653.47 
acres of lanti, most of which is 
capable of use for agriculture 
and 7,925 acres of which is now 
improved. None of the land is 
too level, and in the east two ranges of sec- 
tions, being included in what is called the 
morainic belt, is mostly covered with mounds, 
swells and hills, thirty to fifty feet above 
the intervening hollows. The western part 
is gently undulating, with prolonged, smooth 
swells, the highest of them being ten to 
thirty feet above the neighboring sloughs 
and lakes. The Le Sueur Riv^er intersecting 
this township, with its tributaries, affords 
ample drainage, which is largely assisted b\' 
the contour of the ground. Tiie soil is the 
black, unctuous, alluvial loam so common to 
southern Minnesota, which under favorable 
circumstances yields such a large return to 
the laboring agriculturist. Some of the best 
land in the county is found in this township, 
the rich lands ofthe valley of the Le Sueur 
having became almost proverbial. 

EAKLY SETrLEMENT. 

On the fith of May, 1856, a band of Nor- 
wegian emigrants left Rock Count\', Wis., 
bound for the North Star State and new 
homes in the, then, wilderness. These were 
Anthony Sampson, H. H. Sunde, K. O. 
Rotegard, H. T. Handgrud, Ole Iv. Hagen, 
W. Anderson, Christian Knudson and E. O. I 



Strenge. They had all left their home in 
Norway for a home in the " land of the free," 
and had settled in Rock County, but at the 
above date started out anew. They had 
with them twelve yoke of cattle, thirty cows, 
about fifty head of young cattle, and about 
$600 in gold. Slowly toiling on, on the 10th 
of June they came, after a tiresome journey, 
to what is now the town of New Richland, 
then an uninhabited land. Only a few In- 
dians hunting the game that abounded were 
to be seen. 

They at once commenced their labors 
toward a permanent occupation of the ter- 
ritory, each taking up 160 acres of land, and 
making up two breaking teams of working 
cattle each consisting of four yoke, began 
bi'eaking up the virgin sod. In this manner 
four acres were prepared for each family, 
which they immediately planted with flint 
corn, but when it had come uj) the gojihers 
and blackbirds took it nearly all. For two 
years the}' had a hard time, for they could 
raise but little and flour was $11 a barrel, 
and then they had to go seventy-five miles 
after it. But still they persevered and suc- 
ceeded in establishing themselves. One of 
the mainstays of life among them was the 
fish that abounded in the lake and river, and 
had it not been for this food supplj', living- 
had been almost impossible for a time. 

Of tliis colony it may be said that they 
never had any great dissension amono- them. 
Whenever there chanced to arise an}' difi'ei'- 
ence among any of them, two or three Avould 
get together and settle the matter satisfac- 
torily to all concerned. There never has 
been one of them in a lawsuit in this county. 



834 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



63.5 



Ole C. Knudson is a native of the town of 
New Kichland, "Waseca County, Minn., born 
November 12, 1857. He is unmarried, and 
lives on his farm on sections 13 and 15, where 
he has about 115 acres of land. His father, 
Christian Knudson, was born in Norwa}'', but 
came to America in 1853, and was one of the 
party who made the first settlement in this 
township in 1856, as given. He took up a 
claim on sections 13 and 2i. He died here, 
October 11, 1888. Ole's mother is now Mrs. 
Margaret Christianson, wife of Nels Chris- 
tianson. The children of Mr. and ]\Irs. Chris- 
tian Knudson were as follows : Betsy Soren- 
son, born October 11, 1845 ; Knudt Chris- 
tianson, born in 1852, died in 1881 ; Julia 
Oleson, born in 1855 ; Ole C, born in 1857 ; 
Christian, born in 1859, now deceased ; Mary 
born in 1863; Gustaf, born March 2, 1865 ; 
Nena, in 1868, and Teena in 1871, died in 
December, 1886. The family are members 
of the Lutheran Church. 

Ole Oleson Hagen is a native of this town- 
ship, having been born on the farm where he 
now lives, on section 2, October 29, 1858. 
His father, Ole K. Hagen, a native of Nor- 
way, came to this county in 1856, as stated, 
and settled on this, the well known Pioneer 
Farm, putting up one of the first houses in 
the township. The farm now comprises some 
240 acres of land on sections 2 and 3, on both 
sides of the Le Sueur River, and includes 
some 20 acres of fine timber. His house is 
a good comfortable modern cottage, and his 
barn is an immense one, with good stone 
basement. Grain, cattle and horses are tlie 
principal products of the place. July 16, 
1880, Ole Oleson Hagen and Ingeberg Chris- 
tofson were united in marriage. She w.is 
born in Norway, January 29, 1853. They 
have a family of five children : Sielie, born 
May 24, 18S1 ; Bereth Oienia, May 19, 1S82 ; 
Clai"a, January 22, 1884; Marit, June 6, 
1885, and Olda Emilia, February 22, 1887. 
They are members of the Lutheran Churcli. 

N. C. Koffstad, Martin Anderson and 
August Miller came to this county about 



two weeks after the arrival of the Sampson 
colony. Koff'stad is still a resident of the 
townshi)) ; Miller, after a residence here of 
five years, removed to Berlin, Steele County, 
where he now lives ; Anderson migrated to 
Albert Lea, after living here about seven 
years. 

Knute Christenson came here in the fall 
of 1856, and resided here until September 1, 
1871, when he died. 

Nels Christenson was also a settler of this 
year. 

Nels Christenson was born in Norway, 
September 16, 1828, and emigrated to 
America in ] 853. He settled in Illinois, near 
Chicago, where he remained until 1856, when 
he came to this township, and took up a 
claim on government land, where he still re- 
sides. He now has, besides his farm, about 
thirty acres of good timber land, and has a 
never failing spring of excellent water. He 
has a herd of about sixty head of cattle, and 
eight horses, and is one of the county's solid 
farmers. He has also a fine residence, and 
spacious barn, with excellent surroundings. 
He has been twice married, his first wife 
being Miss E. Johnson, who was born in Nor- 
way, June 15, 1843, to wliom lie was married 
in 1859. She died in 1876, having been the 
mother of eleven children, three dying in in- 
fancy, and eight are now living, whose names 
are: Christiannia, bornMa}'^ 11, 1861 ; John, 
May 28, 1863; Randine, December 29, 1864 ; 
Eline, November 19, 1865; Peter, February 
18, 1867 ; Mary, March 4, 1870 ; Otto, March 
28, 1871, and Nena, April 1, 1875. Mr. 
Christianson's second wife was Mary Knud- 
son, born in Norway, January 10, 1826, to 
whom he was married July 29, 1885. The 
family are members of the Lutheran Church. 

In the spring of 1857, Halleck Peterson 
settled near by, and continued there until 
1862, when he removed from the county. 

April 1, 1857, Hans O. Sunde came to 
New Richland Township, and made this his 
home until December 16, 1874, when he died 
of old age, being ninety-two years old. 



636 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



J. S. Rice was a settler of the year 1857, 
also. He at first located in this town, but 
afterwai'd removed to the village of Wilton, 
about 1860. He was about that time ap- 
pointed county treasui'er, and served two 
years. On the expiration of histei'm of office, 
he entered the service of the general govern- 
ment, to aid in suppressing the rebellion, and 
on his discharge, settled in Iowa. 

In 1858 Ole Hogaas made a settlement in 
this township, and lived here until his death, 
in June, 1885. 

John Benson is a native of Norway, born 
in March, 1S33. He came to the United 
States in 1853, and settled in Rock County, 
Wis., where he remained until 1858, when 
he came to this county and settled Avhere he 
now lives, on section 26, where he has most 
excellent improvements in the way of resi- 
dence, barns, granary and a fine grove. He 
was united in marriage with Marie Olson in 
1855. She was born in Norway, December 
26, 1833. They have been the parents of 
six children : Peter, born January 22, 1856 ; 
Anna Marie, March 22, 1860 ; Henry, No- 
vember 7, 1863 ; Martin, August 1, 1866 ; 
Theodore, April 6, 1868, and Betsy Oline, 
June 21, 1881. Mr. Benson now owns and 
cultivates one of the finest farms in this sec- 
tion of the county, having 400 acres of land. 
He is giving much attention to stock-raising, 
having some forty head of cattle, eleven 
horses and eighty sheep. The family are 
members of the Lutheran Church. 

Nels Tyrholm, now a resident of the vil- 
lage of New Richland, came here in 1858 
and settled on a farm, the place now owned 
by E. E. Verplank. He is the present fur- 
niture dealer of the village. 

Torkel Lund and Ole H. Sunde, both still 
residing here, made their settlement in 
] 858. 

H. J. Hanson came to this township in 
1858 with his parents, who settled on section 
1 1 , near the Lutheran Church. He is a native 
of Norway, born September 27, 1848. In 
1856 his father brought the family to Amer- 



ica, and for two years thereafter they re- 
sided in Rock County, Wis., and then came 
here. Mr. Hanson bought part of the farm 
where he lives, on section 32, in 1868, but now 
owns land in all three sections — 32, 33 and 
29. May 2, LS69, he was united in marriage 
with Anna F. Hedenstadt, who was born in 
Norway, February 10, 1848. They have 
been the parents of nine children, only four 
of whom are living : Paulina Amelia, Alfred 
Julian, Paulina Sophia, Olave, Carl Oliver, 
Peter, Carl Martin, Gearhard and one that 
died in extreme infancy. His father, Ole 
H. Sunde, was born in Norway in Novem- 
ber, 1816, and is still living in this county. 
Mr. Hanson enlisted in Company L, First 
Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and was in 
active service until the close of the war, par- 
ticipating in many battles, and was dis- 
charged October 9, 1866, at Nashville. lie 
had three comrades who enlisted with him, 
and of the four he only survived. Mr. Han- 
son has an excellent place, good dwelling, 
barn, etc., surrounded with a thrifty grove. 
He has twentj'-four head of cattle, four 
horses, besides over thirty swine. 

S. W. Franklin was among the pioneers of 
New Richland, coming here in 1857. He 
is still a resident of this town. He is a 
native of Essex County, N. J., born Febru 
ary 18, 1823. He was reared in Pennsylva- 
nia, and came here from Illinois, and set- 
tled on section 5, of this township. Novem- 
ber 19, 1866, he married Eva Melissa Free- 
love, of Manchester, Iowa. 

David Skinner, one of the pioneers of this 
settlement, located in New Richland Town- 
shi]i during the year 1858. He resided here 
until the breaking out of the war, when he 
enlisted in Company F, Fifth Minnesota In- 
fantr}', and while in the service, died at St 
Louis, Januarj' 13, 1863. 

John Thompson made a settlement in New 
Richland Township in 1858, and resided here 
until about 1880, when he removed to Albert 
Lea. He represented this district in the 
Legislature two terms. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



637 



In the fall of 1858 came Eric Christianson, 
A. N. Berg, A. J. Stensvad and Ole John- 
son. Tlie latter died here on his farm in 
1870. 

J. E. Christianson was born in New Eich- 
land Township, on section 28, on the 27th of 
August, 1858, and was reared here. He was 
united in marriage, June 21, 1879, with 
Otilda Peterson, who was also a native of 
this county, born June 18, 1860, but who 
died July 21, 1883, leaving one child, Joseph- 
ena Cecelia, born August 9, 1880. Mr. 
Christianson is by trade a mason and plas- 
terer, doing all kinds of work in that line in 
all their various branches, and is an adept at 
it. He is a consistent member of the Luth- 
eran Church, like many others in this town- 
ship, and is a straightforward business man. 

Andrew N. Berg, the proprietor of Oak 
Hill Farm, is a native of Norway, born No- 
vember 12, 1835. He came to the United 
States in 1855, and settled in Rock County, 
Wis., and from there removed to Fillmore 
County, this State. Later he came here and 
made a permanent settlement, and now has a 
magnificent farm of 710 acres of land under 
excellent cultivation, and with an elegant 
residence, fine spacious barns and other fine 
buildings, all located in a beautiful grove. 
He has 110 head of fair grade cattle, and 
twenty-one head of horses, and is in excellent 
circumstances in every way. April 28, 1861, 
he was united in marriage with Isabell John- 
son, who was also born in Norway, June 12, 
1S13. They are the parents of fourteen 
children : Anna Jorgine, born February 1, 
1862 ; Ingeborg Sophie, July 10, 1863; An- 
drew, December 23, 1864 ; Inge Maria, April 
21, 1866 ; Ly verine Matkea, January 3, 1868 ; 
Elise Nicohne, July 3, 1870; Syvert, March 
10, 1872; Otto, May 11,1873; Nils Edward, 
February 5, 1875; Martin, September 21, 
1878 ; Ingoburg Allette, February 13, 1879, 
Thea Johanne, September 2, 1881 ; Darthea 
Elizabeth, May 13, 1884, and Christian 
August, September 11, 1886. The family 
are members of the Lutheran Church. 



PEOMINENT CITIZENS. 

Sketches, more or less biographical, are 
given here of some of the leading citizens of 
this town, they being good representatives of 
the population of the same. 

J. H. "Wightman is a native of the State 
of New York, born February 3, 1822, and is 
the son of Rufus and Mary (Potter) "Wight- 
man. His father died when J. H. was about 
<i year old, and he resided with his mother 
until 1849, when he went to Chicago, where 
he learned the tinner's trade, and since that 
time has been engaged in business on his 
own account. In July, 1857, he came to 
Waseca County from Wisconsin, driving 
throujrh, bringins: with him his wife and 
family, then consisting of three children. 
He then settled on section 24, in the town of 
Byron, where he remained until the spring 
of 1863, when he removed to the village of 
Wilton, where he went into the hardware 
business with P. C. Bailey. Two years later 
he sold out to G. W. Watkins, and bought 
out a boot and shoe store and carried on 
that line of trade for five years, when he 
closed out and removed to a farm in Otisco 
Township. After two years spent there, he 
bought the dry goods and grocer}^ store of 
Forrest & Stevens, at Wilton, and returned 
to that village and carried on that business 
at that point until the village of New Rich- 
land had commenced, when he removed tlie 
stock to the latter jjlace, bringing also a full 
line of hardware. He continued here in 
business until 1885, when he sold out to A. 
J. Newgard, and moved to his farm on sec- 
tion 16, where he now lives. He was mar- 
ried in 1853 to Mary Robinson, a native of 
New York. They have been the parents of 
fourteen children. 

J. F. Hunt, a true representative of the 
refined and thrifty farmer of his native State, 
was born in Niagara County, N. Y., Novem- 
ber 19, 1848. When but a boy the family 
removed to Wisconsin, where he remained 
until tlie fall of 1881, when he came here 
and settled on the southeast quarter of sec- 



638 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



tion 9, where he now lives. April 20, 18T8, 
he was united in marriage with Ettie Board- 
man, at Fairwater, Fond du Lac County, 
Wis., where she was born January 22, 1857. 
They are the parents of three children : 
Albert E., born February 22, 1879 ; Cora 
May, born October 12, 1881, and Jessie L. 
born January 4, 1886. Mr. Hunt is giving 
considerable attention to the raising of stock, 
in addition to his other farming operations. 
He and his excellent wife are members of 
the Congregational Church. 

Andrew Breilein is a native of Washington 
Count}', Wis., born December 22, 1815. He 
came to Minnesota in the year 1873, and set- 
tled on a farm on section 9, near where he 
now resides. He now has a beautiful place 
of 200 acres of excellent land, within a mile 
of the village of New Richland, whither he 
looks forward to taking up his residence in 
the near future. He is the father of nine 
children, eight of whom are living : Mary, 
born July 3, 1870 ; Peter, born December 20, 
1871 ; Elizabeth, born July 13, 1873 ; Fred- 
erick, born February 11, 1875 ; Lena, born 
September 10, 1876 ; Ida, born October 9, 
1878 ; George, born April 7, 1880 ; Cather- 
ine, born February 11, 1882, died October, 
1882, and Henry, born June 27, 1883. 
Their mother was formerly Mary Laudert, 
to whom he was married in Wisconsin in 
October, 18('>S. She was born in Wisconsin 
May 16, 1851. Mr. Breilein [runs a thrash- 
ing machine in season, and also owns and 
operates a feedmill in the village of New 
Richland. He is a member of the Christian 
Church. 

Paul O. Qverna was born in Norway, 
October 22, 1 849, and worked in the silver 
mines and on his father's farm in that 
country until he had reached tlie age of 
seventeen years, when he emigrated to 
America, landing in this country in 1867, 
and coming direct to Waseca County. From 
here he went to Olmsted County where he 
remained some four years and then returned 
here and purchased 120 acres of land on 



sections 15 and 16, building his residence on 
the latter. July 28, 1875, he was united in 
marriage with Sophia J. Nelson, of Yellow 
Medicine County, who was born in Norwaj', 
October 1, 1851. They have a family of 
three boys: John Olaf, born May 1, 1876 ; 
Carl, born August 18, 1877, and Rudolph, 
born February 1, 1879. His father, Ole 
Sornson, worked in the silver mines for the 
govei'uraent in Norway for forty-nine years 
and now enjoys a pension in his retirement. 
Mr. Qverna has a fine herd of twenty head 
of graded cattle, and six head of horses, and 
has one of the finest farms in the town- 
ship. 

John Peterson was born in Sweden, May Kl, 
1845, and came to America in 1859, settling 
in Wabash County, Ind. He remained there 
about four years, and then came to Red Wing, 
Minn., and from there to this county, and set- 
tled upon section 4, of this township, in 1863, 
on government land. His mother resided witli 
him while he was perfecting his title. In tlie 
year 1859 he was united in marriage with 
Anna Lawson, and they are the parents of 
thi'ee children : Charles Alfred, born May 
24, 1860; Edwin Walford, born June 12, 
1866, and Hulda Lucetta, born November 
14, 1880. During the Indian outbreak he 
was a member of the Independent Company 
of Volunteers who went to Fort Ridgeley, 
and where they passed through many excit- 
ing experiences, and while on this trip saw 
and picked up many crippled and mutilated 
people and many more that were dead. He 
has a fine farm of 240 acres of land undei" 
excellent cultivation. He and family are 
Lutherans. 

Nels J. Anderson, one of the solid farmers 
of New Richland Township, has a fine place 
of some two hundred acres of land on sec- 
tion 2, of which he has over one hundred 
acres in grain and forty acres of grass, be- 
sides twenty-five acres of fine natural timber. 
He is giving some attention to stock-raising, 
having a herd of twenty head of cattle, all 
good strains, and eight head of fine horses. 



UISTOKY OF WASECA COUNUT. 



639 



He is a native of Sweden, born April 6, 1842, 
and was reared and educated in his native 
land, living there until the ye&v 1869, when 
he came to the United States, and on first 
arriving, settled at Albert Lea, Freeborn 
County, this State. In 1882 he purchased 
the place where he now lives, and moved to 
it in tlie year 1885, and has made it his resi- 
dence ever since. This is one of the best 
farms in this locality. 

E. E. Verplank was born in Cayuga 
County, N. Y., October 22, 1835, and was 
reared in that locality. In his early man- 
hood he worked in a woolen factory there, 
but in 1855 came west to Bradford, Iowa, 
but in the fall of the same year came to 
Minnesota, locating at Faribault, where he 
was engaged in the trade of painting. While 
a resident there, April 22, 1861, he enlisted 
in Company G, First Minnesota Infantr}', 
and was mustered into the service at Fort 
Snelling. The regiment being ordered to 
the front, he was struck down with a sun- 
stroke near Washington, and on the 14th of 
July, 1861, he was discharged for disability 
and returned home. October 22, 1864, he 
was united in marriage with Sophia Hanson 
Sunde, who was born in Norway, August 1, 
1844. They have been the parents of seven 
children, six of whom are alive : Edwin, 
born August 18, 1865, died September 10, 
1865 ; Edwin, October 20, 1866;Leida Olevia, 
February 6, 1869 ; Willie, October 23, 1871 ; 
Hannah Maria, May 29, 1874,. Oscar, June 5, 
1877, and Albert Martin, September 12, 
1883. Mr. Verplank made a claim in this 
county in 1856, but abandoned it and re- 
turned to Faribault. He now owns some 
eighty acres of land where he now resides. 

Joseph 1). Young is a native of Holland, 
born February 17, 1845. In 1853 the family 
came to the Uuited States and settled in 
Wisconsin, where he remained until 1873, 
when he removed to this State, and in 1875 
came to Waseca County, and now has a good 
farm on section 18, where he moved in 1880. 
January 14, 1880, he was united in marriage 



with Mrs. Anna Dietling, formerly Anna 
Lauder, who was born in Wisconsin, July 15, 
1845, and who had married John Dietling, 
October 15, 1868, and whose husband had 
died December 27, 1879, leaving her with a 
family of six children, one having died. 
Their names are : Theresa S., born Jul\' 31, 
1869; Mary Catherine, July 21, 1871; John, 
November 17, 1872 ; Jacob, August, 1874, 
died August, 1875 ; Caroline, August 19, 
1877, and Elizabeth, April 2, 1879. The 
family are members of the Catholic Church. 
Mr. and Mrs. Young- are the parents of four 
children : Joseph, born October 14, 1881 ; 
Peter J., March 11, 1883 ; Agnes Mary, July 
4, 1885, died May 14, 1887, and Georgie, 
August 12, 1887. ' 

Ole Knudson Eekke is a native of Norway, 
born April 14, 1839. He came to America 
in 1852 with his parents, who settled at 
Spring Valley, Rock County, Wis., where 
they remained until 1856, Avhen they came 
to this county and township. March 2, 1863, 
he was united in marriage with Margeret 
Knudson Hagen, who was born in Novem- 
ber, 1838. The same year they moved to 
the farm on section 2, where they now reside, 
and where Mr. Rekke owns 160 acres of good 
land, and where he carries on general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, having sixteen head 
of cattle and six head of horses. Mr. and 
Mrs. Rekke are the parents of two children : 
Carra, born November 26, 1863, and Knud, 
October 31, 1865. They are members of the 
Lutheran Church. 

Thomas Lajord is a native of Norway, 
born February 26, 1842. He was educated 
for a teacher, and being a Lutheran, was 
confirmed at Hamarstiff in 1857, and that 
year attended school to complete his educa- 
tion for his life work as teacher. He began 
his career in his native land January 10, 1859, 
and followed teaching there until April 4, 
1870, when he immigi'ated to America and 
landed at New York. Ten days after his 
arrival he came to Goodhue County, this 
State, aiul from there to Dakota County, 



6-±f) 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



where he occupied his time in teaching until 
1875, when he came to this count}' and pur- 
cliased forty acres of land on section 12, New 
Tiiclilund Township, where he still resides, 
lie held the position of teacher and choir 
leader in the church here until 1885, when 
some of the members thinking that he was 
too outspoken in his manner in regard to his 
views as to the way Christian people should 
live, and dissensions creeping into the church, 
he resigned his stewardship. June 26, 1869, 
Thomas Lajord and Maren Kattvold were 
united in mari'iage, and they have been the 
parents of four children : Thorstein, born 
October 27, 1876; Ingeborg, June 6,1879; 
Clara, July 8, 1882, and Hannah, March 3, 
1887. Mrs. Lajord is a native of Norway, 
born December 24, 1850, and with her hus- 
band is a consistent member of the Lutheran 
Church. Mr. Lajord was the doorkeeper in 
the Legislature at the session of 1887. He 
is an upright Christian and a worthy citizen. 

Knudt Olson Hagen was born in Norway, 
September 12, 1851. In Jul}', 1852, his par- 
ents brought him to this country, and settled 
at Rock Prairie, Wis., but four 3'ears later 
moved to Minnesota, among the old settlers 
of this township, and located on section 3, 
where jMr. Hagen now lives. Here he was 
raised and educated, and hei'e, November 19, 
1874, be was united in marriage with Ella 
Tollefson, who was born in Norway, Decem- 
ber 14, 1853. They were the parents of three 
children: Salma Mary, born August 31, 
1875 ; Henry Otto, born October 22, 1876, 
and Tena Cecilia, born in July, 1877, died 
same month. Mrs. Hagen died November 
15, 1883. On the 25th of June, 1887, he 
was again united in marriage, this time with 
Marreth Swenson, who was born in Norway, 
May 29, 1861. His farm consists of 240 
acres of land under high state of culture, 
with good house, barn and other buildings, 
and he has a herd of some forty head of 
fine grade cattle. Tiie family are members 
of the Lutheran Church. 

Torkel Lund \vas born in Norwaj'', Decem- 



ber 7, 1829. He immigrated to America in 
1850, and settled in Eock County, Wis., 
where he remained four years, then removed 
to Fillmore Count}', this State, and after 
four years spent there, came to this town- 
ship and county, and settled on section 22, 
where he now lives. Before leaving his 
native land, in 1850, he was united in mar- 
riage with Gerete Berg, who was born on 
December 25, 1830. They have had a fami- 
ly of nine children : Tidman, born January 
2, 1851, died three weeks later; Andrew, 
born in 1852, deceased ; Tidman, born June 
4, 1853; Amelia, born October 1857, died 
February, 1863; Alfred, born November 15, 
1860 ; Martin, born October 5, 1862 ; Sophia, 
born December 15, 1864; Amelia, born Octo- 
ber 19, 1867, and Emma, born November 17, 
1869, died May 12, 1886. Mr. Lund owns, in 
connection with his sons, 320 acres of land 
under a good state of cultivation. They 
have some fifty head of cattle and five horses. 
The family are members of the Lutheran 
Cliurch. 

Ole O. Bommengen is a native of Norway, 
born August 8, 1834, and came to America 
in 1867, coming direct to this county and 
town, settling on section 23, where he now 
lives, and where he owns a fine farm of 200 
acres of land under a good state of cultiva- 
tion, fifty -four head of cattle, eight horses, 
Ijesides other stock. He was married in Nor- 
way, in 1855, to Cari'ie Mary Hanson, by 
whom he had three children; Louis Olson, 
born in Norway, May 1, 1859; Cassa, bornin 
Norway, February 11, 1865, and Edwin, born 
in Minnesota, March 25, 1871. He married 
his second wife, Martha Oleson, February 
20, 1877. The family are members of the 
Lutheran Church. He is one of the good, 
substantial fanners of this township, and is 
striving to achieve, what he merits by his 
industr}' and energy, an easy competence. 

Eev. O. A. Mellby was born in Aurdal, 
Norway, January 9, 1843. He received his 
education in his native land, graduating 
from the university of Christiana in 1872, 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



641 



and was ordained a minister of the Lutheran 
Church by the Bishop of Christiana, in Octo- 
ber of that year. He started immediately 
for the scene of his hibors in New Eichland, 
having had a call from this parish while yet 
a student. He landed in New York on the 
15th of December, 1S72, and a few days 
later was installed as pastor of the New 
Richland Church, and is the present incum- 
bent of that position. January 9, 1867, 
he was united in marriage with Sigrid 
Grundt, who was born in Norway, February 
18, 1839. The}' have had seven children : 
Carl August, born January 5, 1869, now at 
the college, Decorah, Iowa, class of 1888 ; 
Agnes Theodora, born September 25, 1870, 
now at Northfield College ; Oscar Michael 
and Marie Eliza, born April 23, 1873, and 
died September 1, 1873 ; Marie Elizabeth, 
born November 5, 1875 ; Oscar Frederick, 
born May 11, 1876, and Gisle Bernhard 
born May 24, 1879. Mr. Mellby has im- 
proved the parsonage farm since coming 
here, setting out a fine grove of ijOOO trees 
and cultivating the land highly. 

N. M. Nelson was born in Sweden tn the 
year 1848, and came to the United States 
in 1868, settling in this county at that time, 
and for the last twelve years has been a con- 
tinual resident here. He located on a farm 
of 160 acres in section 9, which he has 
brought to a high state of cultivation, and 
has a good comfortable dwelling and good 
outbuildings. He has held the office of 
county commissioner for seven years and 
enjoys the confidence of all. He was mar- 
ried to Lottie Johnson, in Waseca County, 
March 9, 1884. She was born in Indiana, 
and died January 8, 1885, leaving one child 
who was born January 2, 1885. Mr. Nelson 
carries on general farming and stock-raising 
and is in good, comfortable circumstances. 

Edward C. Sybilrud is the son of Christian 
C. Sybilrud, who was born in Norway, De- 
cember 1, 1817, and Anna Mary, his wife, 
who is a native of the same country, born 
January 8, 1822, and both of whom reside 



with their son, Edward, who has a fine farm 
of 240 acres of land on section 25. He has 
a fine modern cottage, where he resides sur- 
rounded by a fine natural grove some seven 
or eight acres in extent. He is a native of 
Norway, born July 1, 1851, and came to 
America in the year 1870, settling where 
he now lives. December 25, 1877, he was 
united in marriage with Renegarde Burtnes, 
who was also born in Norway, December 25, 
1861. They have been the parents of five 
children : Anna Mary, born February 25, 
1879; Christian, born October 27, 1880; 
Thea Carrenia, born October 23, 1882, who 
died January 20, 1883 ; Oscar, born Decem- 
ber 11, 1883, and Theo Knute, born Febru- 
ary 2, 1886. The family are active members 
of the Lutheran Church. 

Olave Anderson owns 160 acres of land on 
section 36, this township, and 175 acres in 
the adjoining county of Freeborn. He has 
about twenty head of cattle, including eleven 
milch cows and eleven horses. He is giving 
much attention to grading up his stock, and 
has among them some full-blood short-horns. 
His horses are one-half or better of Norman, 
or Clyde stock. He also owns and operates 
a steam thrashing machine. He is a native 
of Norway, born April 20, 1847. He left 
the country of his birth for the United 
States in 1867, and on his arrival came to 
Fillmore County, this State, and settling 
there remained for two years, and then 
removed to the farm where he now lives, in 
the year 1869. June 8, 1872, he was mar- 
ried to Lora Olson, Avho was born in Nor- 
way, July 1, 1852. They have had born to 
them five children : Anton, born January' 
24, 1877; Nena, born October 14, 1879; 
Netka, born January 12, 1881 ; Emma, born 
August 2'2, 1884, and Ida, born August 24, 
ISSO. Mr. Anderson's mother, Mrs. Mary 
Anderson, lives with him. She was born in 
Norway, in 1815. The family are members 
of the Lutheran Church. 

Henry Schwenke, a thrifty intelligent 
fanner, who has an excellent farm of 160 



642 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



acres of land on section 21, is a native of 
Germany. He was born September 10, 1850, 
and remained in the fatlierland until 1873, 
when he immigrated to the United States, 
and for a time lived in Wisconsin. In 1874 
he was married to Mary Steinhaus, a native 
of Wisconsin, born July 22, 1853. Later he 
removed to this county. He had learned the 
trade of miller in the old country, and for a 
year after coming to America he followed 
that occupation. He has a fine place, with 
excellent buildings and good stock. Mr. 
and Mrs. Schwenke are the parents of five 
children : Emil, Ida, Henry, Mada and Row- 
land. 

Carl Kotegard was born in New Richland 
Township, Waseca County, Minn., on the 
place where he now lives, on section 12, July 
27, 1863. His father, Knudt Oleson Rote- 
gard, was a native of Norway, born April 
14, 1813, died here November 19, 1878. His 
mother, Barbara (Oleson) Rotegard, was 
also a native of Norway, born September 7, 
1820, and still resides on the old homestead. 
Carl was reared here, and on the 29th of 
October, 1883, was united in marriage with 
Hannah Kittelson, who was born in Nor- 
way, August 13, 1861. They have one 
child, Christian Olaf, born October 18, 1885. 
Carl has a farm of eighty acres of land 
which he cultivates. The family are mem- 
l)ers of the Lutheran Church. 

Julius A. R. Kruger was born in Germany, 
December 18, 1852, and was brought to 
America by his parents in 1856. They set- 
tled at (irst in Jefferson County, Wis., where 
they remained until 1861, when they moved 
to Freeborn County, this State, where his 
parents still live. Mr. Kruger came to tlie 
place where he now lives, on section 34, in 
1884. March 11, 1885, he was married to 
Mary Goertz, a native of Germany, born 
December 1, 1864. They have been the par- 
ents of two children : Martha Louisa, born 
March 22, 1886, and died April 9, 1886, and 
Louis Robert August, born May 22, 1887. 
Mr. Kri'ger's father, Frank Kruger, was liorn 



in Prussia, May 22, 1823, and his mother in 
the same principality, November 15, 1833. 
Part of the father's farm of 430 acres is in 
this and part in Freeborn County. Julius 
owns 160 acres where he lives, has a good 
new dwelling in modern style, surrounded 
by a grove of young, thrifty trees. 

FIRST ITEMS. 

The first birth was that of a daughter of 
Ole K. Llagen, in July, 1856. She is now 
the wife of Even Tostenson, a resident of the 
village. 

The first death was that of Samuel S. 
Sampson, who died August 22, 1861. 

The first school district was organized in 

1860. John Larson was the first clerk of 
the district ; Anthony Sampson director, and 
T. Tidmauson Lund, treasurer. 

The first school meeting in the township 
was held at the residence of Nels T^^rholm. 

In 1862 the first schoolhouse was erected 
of logs, on a half acre of ground donated 
for that purpose by Anthony Sampson. 
Miss Northup was the first teacher. A spe- 
cial meeting of the district was held Julj- 6, 

1861, which voted a tax of $100 to build this 
house, which was on the southwest corner of 
section 14, on Sampson's land. 

The first church organized was of the 
Lutheran denomination, in 1861. 

The Norwegian Lutheran Church on sec- 
tion 11, of this township, was built during 
the years 1875 and 1876, at a cost of about 
$5,000. It is 36x60 feet in size upon the 
ground, and 2(i feet high. An addition upon 
the rear is 20x20 feet in dimension. The 
sjiire is 16 feet square at the base, and has 
an altitude of 96 feet. The edifice has a 
seating capacity of 550. 

The society was organized in the spring of 
1861, and in 1862 a place of worship was 
erected of logs. This was 20x26 feet in size. 
Rev. B. Muse, the pastor of a Goodhue 
County congregation, was the first to minis- 
ter to these people. After about two years, 
he was succeeded by Rev. N. A. Qvame, who 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



645 



officiated for seven years. In 1872 the 
Kev. O. A. Mellby was called from his far- 
away home in Norwa}% and is the present 
pastor. The first trustees were PI. Halvor- 
sen, Anthony Sampson and H. Taraldson. 
The society own a fine parsonage on section 
13 ; witli it is a fine farm of eighty aci'es of 
land, the land and building costing some 
$1,800. 

The first meeting of this society was held 
at the house of Ole Arneson, on section 2, in 
the spring of 1858, by Eev. Laurs Larson. 
The same people held meetings in different 
places until the organization. 

ORGANIZATION. 

At the first meeting of the board of county 
commissioners on the 16th of March, 1857, 
the three townships of New Richland, Byron 
and Vivian, and the south one-third of Otisco 
Township, as constituted to-day, were thrown 
into one precinct and called Otisco. But 
on the 2d of IS^ovember, 1858, the board 
set off and organized congressional town- 
ship 108 north, range 22 west, into a civil 
town under the name of Norway, but that 
was afterward changed to Richland, the 
New being added subsequently. The first 
town meeting for the purpose of organizing 
the township, was held on the 5th of April, 
1859, at the house of John Larson. John 
Thompson was chairman, and on the meeting 
being called to order J. S. Rice was chosen 
moderator and S. "W. Franklin, clerk. The 
polls were duly opened at 10 o'clock. The 
first officers chosen were the following- 
named : John Thompson, chairman ; J. S. 
Rice and David Skinner, supervisors ; S. "W". 
Franklin, clerk ; Anthony Sampson, assessor ; 
Nels Christianson, collector ; J. S. Rice and 
John Larson, justices of the peace ; George 
W. Legg and Andrew Johnson, constables, 
and Ole Johnson, overseer of the poor. The 
present officers are as follows : W. F. 
Discher, chairman, and E. C. Sybilrud and 
E. O. Rotegard, supervisors ; Christof Wag- 
ner, clerk ; T. T. Lund, assessor ; J. O. Sunde, 

3! 



treasurer ; E. E. Yerplank and W. F. Discher, 
justices of the peace, and George Flagman 
and Fred Heckes, constables. 

COESONDALE STOCK FARM. 

No annals of this town would be com- 
plete without some reference to the noted 
stock farm owned by Messrs. Dunwoody 
& Corson, the enterprising owners of the 
model roller mill in the village of New 
Richland. This farm, one of the important 
factors in the development of this town- 
ship, is composed of 880 acres of land, em- 
bracing the south half of section 20, the 
north half of section 29, the west half of the 
southwest quarter of section 29, and the 
northwest quarter of section 32, all in this 
township. Their farm buildings are located 
on the eastern part of this tract, about one 
mile due south of this village, upon a beau- 
tiful site, and were built with special atten- 
tion to the care and comfort of their fine 
Norman horses and thriving herds of thor- 
oughbred short-horns, Jerseys, grades and 
other stock. 

At the time this farm passed into the hands 
of Dunwoody & Corson it was compara- 
tively wild prairie land, but since that time 
it has been improved and cultivated, and is 
now divided into fields which are enclosed 
with strong wire fences. What portion is 
not required for the raising of feed for the 
stock (for no produce is marketed from this 
place) is seeded to clover and other tame 
grasses, which thrive exceedingly well in this 
country, the soil being peculiarly adapted 
to the growing of such. 

This noted farm was opened up in 1882 
and stocked in 1883 at an outlay of from 
$30,000 to $40,000. 

Their original purchase of short-horns was 
forty head ; since that time (less than three 
years) they have sold eighteen head for 
$3,000, and now have on hand sixty-five 
head of as fine looking thoroughbred short- 
horns as can be found in any herd in the 
Northwest, besides a large number of valu- 



646 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



ble grades, crosses with their common stock 
and their imported Baron Glencoe. 

In 1883 they placed on theirfann six half- 
blood Norman and two common mares, and 
since that time each of them have raised 
colts from Bon Homme, their imported 
stallion. They also have two fine carriage 
horses bred to DeGraff's Alexander. In the 
past year they have sold three colts for $-l-50 
and now have sixteen grade colts of both 
sexes, one half blood and one three-quarter 
blood Norman stallion, besides several colts 
of a recent purchase. Among these colts is 
an exceedingly promising trotter sired by 
Commodore Kittson's Blackwood Jr., dam, 
Mary Lane. 
» The house and barns are large, roomy and 

commodious, and are ^vell adapted for the 
convenience of George Stearns, the superin- 
tendent, his help and their four-footed 
charges. 

On this place Messrs. Dunwoody & Cor- 
son have their imported Norman stalhon, 
Bon Homme, brought from France by them 
in 1882, and weighing 1,750 pounds, and other 
fine horses; Baron Glencoe, an imported 
short-horn bull, than whom there is none 
better in this country, and many mares, cows, 
Poland China and Jersey Red hogs and Ply- 
mouth Rock chickens, and in fact a large 
quantity of high grade animals of all kinds 
and descriptions. Among some of the most 
noted cows on this model farm, are Orange 
Blossom of Cedar 2nd ; Tuberose of Browns- 
dale ; several representatives of Miss Wiley of 
Brownsdale ; Arabella, and many others, be- 
sides about twent}' thoroughbred Jersey cows 
and grades, among them Sunny Sister and 
Sunny Morn. 

To Messrs. Dunwoody & Corson, too much 
praise can hardly be given for their 
efforts in improving the stock in this part of 
the State, and anyone can at a glance see the 
incalculable value a few such model farms 
throughout the State would be to the rest of 
the farming community. The magnificent 
farm is well worth a visit. 



fi 



age of JNIeW Kichland. 

The thriving village that bears the name 
of New Richland lies upon the southeast 
quarter of section 17, and was laid out and 
platted in August, 1877, by Henry T. Wells. 
Four additions to the town plat have been 
laid out subsequently bv Charles Zieger, H. T 
Wells and Jane McClane. The village is beau- 
tifully situated, and neatly and well kept, and 
is a OTOwing and thrivino- village. With 
abundant forethought, many of the resi- 
dences are deeply embowered in trees, which 
lend beauty to the aspect of the place, and 
help shelter them from the icy blasts of 
winter. 

The first building in the new town was 
put up by a man by the name of Buncho, in 
July, 1877, who opened up a saloon in it and 
ran it for about eight months, and then sold 
the building to James Murphy, who converted 
it into a residence and about a year later sold 
it to M. Murphy, who rented it to other 
parties a few years, and then disposed of it 
to Fred. Laudert, who uses it for a dwelling. 

Thomas Lynch put up a building in the 
fall of 1877, which he rented. In it a saloon 
was opened, and during that winter was 
continued. The building is now occupied 
by Mrs. M. P. Lofty, as a millinery establish- 
ment. 

In the fall of the same year J. H. Wight- 
man erected a store building, and putting in 
a stock of hardware, ran it for about eight 
years, when he sold out to A. J. Newgard, 
the present proprietor, who carries a stock 
of general hardwai'e, pumps, barbed wire 
and Summit washing machines, and does a 
large and growing business. 

A. J. Newgard was born in Gjovik, Nor- 
way, February 10, 18-t4, and is the son 
of Gorgenson G. and Agneta (Gulbranson) 
Newgard. Rearetl among the scenes of his 
childhood, the free spirit that dwells in the 
hearts of all mountaineers led him in 1S69 to 
leave his home and seek a new one in free 
America. For about a year after coming here 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



64:7 



he remained in Chicago, and then came to 
"Waseca County, locating in this township on 
a farm belonging to A. J. Stensvad, where 
he remained some two months. He then 
took a farm, which he worked on shares for 
a year, after which he purchased some im- 
provements on some railroad lands of Anton 
Ciiristianson, of Steele Countj^ where he 
spent some eighteen months, selling out at 
tlie end of that time, and working at the 
carpenter's trade some eighteen months. He 
then removed to Owatonna, Steele County, 
where he was engaged in the lumber trade, 
as salesman for Thomas Kelh', for six 
months, and other emplovment in that line, 
and working at the carpenter or tinner's 
trade. In the fall of 1877 he came to the 
newly started village and opened up the 
lumber yard as detailed elsewhere, and con- 
tinued in that line until 1S85, when he sold 
out and took a pleasure trip to Europe, to 
visit the scenes of his happy childhood's 
days, and to live over once more tiie old 
life. After spending some six months in 
this way, he returned to New Richland, 
purchased the hardware stock and business 
of J. H. Wightman, commenced trade in 
that line, in which he is now engaged. 
During the year 1865 he was united in 
marriage with Marie L. Steuseth. They 
have been the parents of the following 
children : Ingulf, born July 29, 1866; Carl, 
March 10, 1868 ; Gulbran, born January 2, 
1872, died the 22d of the same month ; An- 
drew, born April 21, 1874 ; Emma, June 29, 
1876; Lars, April 15, 1879, and Georgine. 
July 26, 1883. 

The same year (1877) C. H. Hooper put in a 
stock of drugs and medicines and operated 
it for a few years, when the goods were 
closed out, and about 1880 the building was 
sold to Henry Jaehning, who is engaged in 
the furniture business and sale of undertak- 
ing goods. 

The same autumn a store building was 
moved to this town from Wilton, by Hugh 
Wilson, who rented it to Mee Bros., from 



Faribault, who put in a stock of general mer- 
chandise. They continued this business but 
a short time, when they closed out the stock. 
The building was occupied for several months 
with machinery, but in the fall of 1878 H. 
K. Stearns purchased the building and put in 
a well assorted stock of general merchandise, 
commencing business here January 1, 1879, 
and still continues in the same old stand, 
doing a lucrative business, and drawing trade 
from a large scope of countr^^ 

Ilalvor K. Stearns came to Waseca Count)' 
in 1862, and settled on a farm, on section 15, 
on the Le Sueur River, about two miles east 
of the present village of New Richland. He 
is a native of Nomedal, Norway, born De- 
cember 25, 1836. He remained in his 
fatherland until he had passed the age of 
seventeen years, when he came to this coun- 
tr}^ and settled in Rock County, Wis. This 
was in 185-t. While a citizen of that place, 
be was united in marriage April 20, 1860, at 
Rock Prairie, Rock County, Wis., with Betsy 
Sevets, who was born in Norway, June 10, 
1840. Three years before coming to this 
county he had purchased the farm where he 
made his first settlement, and when he was 
ready to come to this State he took a team 
and wagon and drove the whole distance, tak- 
ing some six weeks to make the trip. He 
had his wife and one child, all his his family 
at that time, with him, and on his arrival 
here about the 1st of June, settled at once on 
the farm. He did some plowing that sum- 
mer and fall but did not raise any crops that 
season. He remained on his farm until 
March, 1880, when he removed to the vil- 
lage of New Richland, having opened a gen- 
eral merchandise store there in January pre- 
vious, and has remained in that line of busi- 
ness ever since. Mr. Stearns served the 
county on the board of commissioners from 
January, 1874, until December, 1879, and 
always with credit to himself and the 
satisfaction of his constituents. Among the 
foremost businessmen of New Richland, he is 
a true representative of her better class of 



648 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns are the par- 
entsof six children : Knudt,born Ma>' 7, 1861, 
at Rock Prairie, Wis., died November 28, 
1882, in New Richland ; Sophia, born in 
New Richland, Aug-ust 19, 1868; Martin, 
born June 12, 1871 ; Gustav, born March 23, 
1874 ; Henrj^ born February 25, 1878, died 
August 22, 1883 : Kaia Henrj'etta, born Sep- 
tember 16, 1885. 

Johnson & Murphy started in the hard- 
ware business in September, 1877, and are 
still engaged in that line, in the same build- 
ing. They are handling all the lines of goods 
that go to make uj) a tirst-class hardware 
stock, and their business has grown to goodly 
proportions by strict attention to business. 

The firm of Murphy & Johnson was 
formed in the summer of 1877, before there 
was any building in New Richland, or the 
railroad track had reached here. Anticipat- 
ing the wants of those about to settle in the 
future village, they ordei'ed a stock of build- 
ing hardware, which they hauled from 
Waseca by team. Not having any building 
in which to set up store, they opened shop 
on a lumber pile, weighing out nails in a 
market basket, on an old-fashioned steel- 
yard. When night had come they laid down 
by their stock to protect it from marauders. 
Soon, however, they got up a building and 
from their small beginning have by energy 
and ability worked up a fine trade. They 
also carry on an extensive business in farm 
machinery, coal, wire, pumps, etc. They 
have also an establishment of the same kind 
at Hartland, Minn. 

Michael Murphy was born October 1, 1849, 
in Davis County, Ind., and is the son of 
Patrick and Margaret Murphy. He remain- 
ed in the Hoosier State until July, 1855, 
when, with his parents, he came to Waseca, 
settling in Blooming Grove Township. In 
this county he was reared, and approaching 
manhood he learned the trade of tinner' 
which he followed as journeyman until he 
came to this place and opened up this busi- 
ness, except during the years 1872 and 1873 



when he was engaged in civil engineering 
on the Northwestern Railroad. May 1, 1872, 
he was united in marriage with Lizzie De- 
laney, a native of Toronto, Canada, born Oc- 
tober 1, 1849. They are the parents of six 
children: Lettie, born March 14, 1873; 
Elain, July 5, 1875; Irean, December 25, 
1879 ; William, Januar}' 1, 1877 ; Georgia, 
May 19, 1882. 

Nels Johnson, who was born on a farm in 
Denmark, August 26, 1843, resided in the 
country of his birth until 1865, when he 
came to America. He is the son of John 
and Maggie Johnson. On landing in the 
United States he came to Minnesota, locating 
at Faribault, Rice County, where he re- 
mained until 1874, when he came to Wa- 
seca County. For about three years he was 
engaged in the hardware business at Waseca, 
when he came here. On September 27, 
1869, he was married to Mary Erickson, a 
native of Norway, born on a farm there in 
1848. They ai'e the parents of six children: 
Minnie, born May 21, 1871 ; Henry, June 11, 
1874; Albert, February 20, 1876; Nellie, 
October 7, 1880; Freddie, May 25, 1884, 
and an infant, born August 26, 1887. 

In the same month — September, 1877 — 
C. H. Brossard put up a store building, and 
putting in a general stock, continued in that 
line of trade for about two years, when he 
closed out the stock at publfc sale. The 
building was then sold to F. G. Schneider, 
who had come here from Dodge County, Wis., 
and who opened up a harness-making shop, 
therein. It is now occupied by F. G. Schnei- 
der & Co., a new firm formed in 1887, com- 
posed of Mr. Schneider and John Kreuzer. 
They handle harness, boots and shoes, trunks, 
etc., and are building up a fine business by 
attention to the wants of their customers. 

About the same time the firm of Clark & 
Swann put up a building and filled it with a 
finely assorted stock of drugs, medicines, 
fancy toilet articles, etc., and still continue 
to cater to the wants of the public in that 
line. J. R. Swann is the managing partner, 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



649 



Mr. Chu'k being a druggist at St. Paul, Minn. 

John li. Swann is a native of Sweden, 
born January 13, 1853, and came to the 
United States with his parents when he was 
eleven years of age. They settled in St. 
Paul, but are now residents of Chisago 
County, Minn. John R. lived with them 
until he was some sixteen years of age, when 
he entered the drug store of H. "W. Robin- 
son, of St. Paul, where he remained almost 
three years. From there he went to Wil- 
mar, this State, and was in the employ of his 
present partner for about five years, when 
he bought an interest in the concern. One 
year later they removed to this place. De- 
cember 1, 1877, he was united in marriage 
with Sophia B. Quale, of Hudson, Wis. They 
have a family of four children : Ella, Rich- 
ard, Sarah and Walter. 

Nels Tyrholm & Son put up a building at 
about the same time in 1877, which they 
immediately stocked with furniture, and are 
engaged in the same line of business at the 
present. 

The same fall (of 1877) a building was 
erected by John Larsen, who opened in it a 
stock of general merchandise. In this store 
was kept the postoffice, Mr. Larsen being 
the first postmaster. He continued in this 
building for about eight years, when, having 
erected the new brick store on the west side 
of the street, the goods were moved into 
that, and is now occupied by his son, M. C. 
Larsen, who carries on a general merchan- 
dise business. 

The old building formerly occupied by 
John Larsen was sold to M. A. Larsen, a 
barber, who put in a stock of general mer- 
chandise. He runs the barber shop in con- 
nection with the store. 

M. A. Larsen came to Waseca County in 
1873, settling on section 1.5, this town, where 
he remained until 1878, when he purchased 
a farm in Berlin Township, Steele County, 
where he moved. After one year's residence 
there he came to the village of New Rich- 
land and opened a barber shop, which he 



ran for about three years, and then removed 
to Minneapolis, where he spent a year, and 
then returned to this place and reopened 
his barber shop. He afterward, in con- 
nection with it, put in a stock of confec- 
tionery. He now has a stock of general 
merchandise, as related above. He is also 
local agent for six large steamship lines 
plying between this country and Europe, 
supplying tickets, drafts on Europe, etc., 
having been in that line of business since 
1873. He was born in Christiania, Norway, 
Februarj' 22, 1846, and came to the United 
States in 187:i. He was married March 21, 
1877, to Anna S. Mork, a native of Soleur, 
Norway, who died July 17, 1882, leaving 
one child, Guia Adina. 

The same fall (of 1877) a building was put 
up by Fenton Keenan, which he rented to 
W. Blake & Son, who put in a stock of ready- 
made clothing. These parties ran it but a 
short time, when they moved the stock to 
Waseca. From this time for several years 
it was used as a saloon by different parties. 
It then passed into the hands of the present 
owner, who rents it to Peterson & Peterson, 
general merchants, and who have the post- 
office. 

About the year 1881 Peterson Bros, put 
up a brick building in which they opened 
up their saloon. This is now owned and 
occupied for the same purpose by Peter 
Peterson. 

I. Sorenson, about the same time, put up a 
building, and put in a stock of groceries and 
crockery, and for a short time continued the 
business, finally closing out. The village 
afterward purchased the building, and now 
uses it for an engine house for the fire de- 
partment. 

Joseph Smith & Co. put up a building in 
the latter part of 1877, and opened a stock 
of dry goods, clothing, groceries, etc., and 
continued in business for about seven years, 
when they moved the stock to Red Lake 
Falls. This building is now occupied by 
Johnson & Sunde, as detailed elsewhere. 



650 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTS'. 



E. E. Ellifson put up a building in 1877 
also, in which he carried on the tailoring bus- 
iness for five or six years, when the building 
was-sold. It is now the property of Emma 
Bettner, who carries on the harness-mating 
business, the mechanical work being under 
the management of her father. Fred. Bett- 
ner. 

A building was put up by Hunt Bros, 
in the fall of 1877, and it was used as a 
saloon for about a year, when it passed into 
the hands of Fred. Bettner, who uses it at 
present as a residence and ice cream parlor. 

Fred. Bettner erected a building on the 
east side of the town, and ran a saloon in it 
for a while, finally removing the buildinff on 
to the main street. He used it for a residence 
for a time, when he sold it to Gill Gorgan, 
who uses it as a residence and grocery store. 

About the year 1875, J. Torgerson & Co. 
opened a store for the sale of general mer- 
chandise, on section 1, of this township. This 
firm continued in business for about sixteen 
months, when C. B. Johnson purchased an 
interest of one of the partners, and the busi- 
ness was thereafter carried on. until the 
starting of the New Richland, by the firm 
of Torgerson & Johnson. In October, 1877. 
they removed both building and stock to 
tliis place. In the following spring, Torger- 
son sold his intei-est to Paul O. Sunde. and 
the firm name changed to its present one of 
Johnson it Sunde. A few years later they 
made additions to the old building they oc- 
cupied and remained there until the spring 
of 1885, when they purchased the store 
building of Joseph Smith & Co., and are 
now the occupants of that edifice. They 
carry on a general merchandise trade, which 
draws a liberal support from the surround- 
ing country. 

Charles B. Johnson is a native of Sandsvar, 
Norway, born September 5, 1852, and came 
to this country with his parents when he was 
but eighteen months old. The family set- 
tled in Wisconsin, where they remained for 
three vears and then removed to Berlin 



Township, Steele County. Charles remained 
with his parents, growing to manhood there, 
until he started for himself on a farm of his 
own in Steele County. In 1875 he started 
the store on section 1 with James Torgerson. 
as already mentioned. He was united in 
marriage October 8, 1877. with Tena Sunde. 
They have a family of three children : Olaf, 
William and Selmer. Mr. Johnson is one 
of the leading business men of the village, 
and is also one of the most popular mer- 
chants, owing to his steady adherence to 
strict integrity in dealing with all his cus- 
tomers and his invariable good nature. 

Paul O. Sunde is a native of Norway, born 
July 25. 1851. but when he was but five 
vears of age was brought to this country bv 
his parents, O. H. and Annie M. Sunde, in 
1856. AVhen they came here they settled in 
Rock Count}', Wis., where they remained 
for about two years, and in 1858 came to this 
county, locating upon section 11, of New 
Richland Township, where the father still 
lives. The mother died there in May, 1886. 
P. O. Sunde began life for himself in 1874, 
woi'king at the carpenters trade in summer 
and spending the winter in school. This he 
followed the next year, and then was em- 
ployed in a lumber yard. In 1878 he was 
in the firm of Torgerson &. Johnson, dealers 
in general merchandise, and is now one of 
the firm of Johnson &: Sunde, among the 
leading merchants of the village. February 
26, 1880, he was united in marriage with 
Lizzie C. Tyrholm, and they have a family 
of four children : Minnie, Harry, Cora and 
Ella. Mr. Sunde was town clerk of New 
Richland for seven yeai-s, recorder of the 
village two years, and is the president of the 
village board this year, 1887. 

In October. 1877, a lumber yard was 
opened by Randall. Botter & Co.. A. J. 
Newgard being the '•company." The latter 
being the resident partner, had the manage- 
ment of the business at this point. Six 
months later the interests of Randall & 
Botter were purchased by Charles Zeigei', 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



651 



and the firm name changed to ISTewgard & 
Zeiger, who continued in the business for 
about sixteen months, when Mr. Zieger died. 
Four months from then A. J. Newgard pur- 
chased his deceased partner's interest, and 
continued the business alone for about one 
year. About 1880 the lumber yard then run 
by C. D. Haven & Co. was consolidated 
with his, and the new firm formed, which 
was known by the style of A. J. Newgard & 
Co. This continued until about eighteen 
months had passed, when Mr. Newgard pur- 
chased the interests of his partners, and for 
two years ran it alone, when he associated 
with himself C. A. Wagner, and they re- 
mained in the business about two years, when 
he sold to his partner the entire busmess. in- 
cluding all the real estate in that vicinity, 
and the latter associating with himself 
his brother Christoph, formed the present 
firm of Wagner Bros. They do an extensive 
business in this line, handling lumber, sash, 
doors, blinds, etc. They have also a yard 
at Hartland, Minn., under the management 
of J. C. Sybilrud. 

In the latter part of 1877, also, a lumber 
yard was started by Isaac Lincoln & Co., 
who continued the business about six months, 
when they sold out to A. J. Stensvad, who 
eighteen months later sold out to C. D. 
Haven & Co., who ran it until its consolidation 
with the yard and business of A. J. New- 
gard, as already stated. 

The first and only bank in the town was 
initiated by Dunwoody & Corson in the au- 
tumn of 18SU, in their office at the mill, where 
they do a general banking business. 

On the 5th of July, 1877, O. P. Olson 
started a blacksmith shop on the farm of 
Peter Ecternock, in this township, and con- 
tinued at that place until the village was 
laid out in the fall, when he removed thither 
and opened the first smithy in the place. 
He ran this for about five years, when he 
sold it to John Kreuzer. Olson then re- 
moved to Preston. Fillmore County, but 
three years afterward returned here and 



purchased his old stand, where he is now 
carrying on the business. 

T. Thompson, in the fall of 1877, opened 
a blacksmith shop in the new village. This 
was in what was known as Zeiger's addition. 
About eight years he carried on the business, 
when he sold out to John Ilestvedt, who 
immediately formed a partnership with 
Alexander Blyhl, which firm is now carry- 
ing on the business. 

At the time of the foundation of the 
village, in 1877, P. A. Holt started a wagon- 
making shop, and continued in that line 
until 1884, when he closed out all his 
material, and forming a partnership with 
others, under the firm name of Holt, Ander- 
son & Co., opened a small lumber yard. 
This firm added to their business a sash and 
door factory, and continued together for 
about six months, when Anderson sold his in- 
terest to G. N. Husely. The firm of Holt, 
Husely & Co. continued together for about 
a year, when Mr. Husely sold out to his part- 
ners. P. A. Holt & Co., the present firm, are 
doing quite an extensive business in the 
manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and 
" Favorite " washing machines. They have 
never handled lumber very extensively, but 
are able to fill all orders on short notice. 

P. A. Holt is a native of Norway, born 
May 8, 1847, and came to America in June, 
1861; came at once to New Richland Town- 
ship, where he went on a farm. From here 
he went to Decorah, Iowa, and then back to 
Owatonna, where he learned the carriage- 
making trade. In 1877 he came to the vil- 
lage of New Richland and started a wagon- 
shop and carried on that business untd 1885, 
when the present business was inaugurated. 
He enlisted in November, 1863, in Company 
G, Twelfth Iowa Infantry, and saw consid- 
erable service with that gallant regiment. 
He was married November 23, 1875, to 
Carrie Olson. They have two children: 
Emma and Anna. 

Ole S. Bokke is a native of Norway, born 
October 21, 1854. He came to America in 



652 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



1876 in compam' with his brother George, 
locating at first in Faribault, Eice County, 
this State, where he attended school for 
about a year, and afterward was emplo^'ed 
as clerk in a hardware store. He came to 
New Richland in 1877 and opened a boot and 
shoe store, remaining in that line for six 
years. After that he was engaged in selling 
farm machinery for about a year. When 
the firm of P. A. Holt & Co. was formed he 
was one of the company, and has since con- 
tinued in this business. He was united in 
marriage with Mary Larsen in New Eich- 
land, December 25, 1878. She is a daughter 
of John and Petrie Larsen. They have two 
children : Oscar Henry, born October 11, 
1879, and Anna Helena, October 21, 1882. 
Mr. Bokke is the present village recorder, 
having been elected to that office March, 
1887. 

The pioneer jeweby establishment was 
opened in the fall of 1877, by O. A. Tififany 
& Bro., Avho did all kinds of repairing in that 
line, in connection with a general stock they 
had. 

The present business in this line is re]3re- 
sented by A. S. Boice, who established the 
stand in May, 1887. 

The Washburn House was built in the 
latter part of 1877 by N. J. Eobbins. who 
ran it about a year and then disjjosed of it to 
J. O. Culver. This gentleman continued in 
the hotel business in this building for about 
six years, when it was sold to Alex. Brisbane, 
who, after but a few montlis' hotel-keeping, 
rented it to Thomas Eice. This party kept 
it for about eighteen months, wlien Brisbane 
sold it to its present owner, Sophronia Wil- 
son. The Washburn House is kept in a most 
excellent manner by the present landlord, O. 
H. Bronson. 

What is known as the Commercial House 
was erected in the latter part of 1877, by Ole 
Johnson Moe, who ran it for a few years as 
a hotel. It was then sold to F. B. Hanks, 
who kept it open for three or four years, 
when he disposed of it to Christian Hanson, 



but after a short time this landlord sold it to 
its present proprietor, Patrick Kelley. 

The American House was built by Charles 
Brunell in the fall of 1877, who rented it to 
Goldsmith & Johnson, who opened and ran 
a saloon in it for about a year, and to others 
afterward. It was sold finally to Mrs. Gib- 
son, the present owner, and is occupied as a 
residence. 

New Richland, also, has a neatly printed 
and ably conducted weekly newspaper, 
known as the JVo?-f/i Star, a history of which 
is given in connection with the annals of the 
journals of the county in this volume. 

One of the leading institutions of the vil- 
lage, and one that first strikes the eye of a 
visitor, is the Model EoUer Mill. This, which 
is one of the finest in this part of the State, 
was erected by the present proprietors. Dun- 
woody <fe Corson, in the fall of 1879, at an 
expense of $40,000. It is 40x60 feet in size, 
three stories high, exclusive of the basement, 
and is surmounted by a cupola. In addition 
to this is the engine and l)oiler house, 
30x00 feet in size. In this latter is a very 
fine engine of 200 horse power. The mill is 
one of the most complete exponents of 
the system known as that of rollers, having 
twenty-two pair of rolls and two 4-foot 
stones, and has in addition all the latest 
improved machinery in the way of purifiers, 
bolters, etc., that go to make up a first-class 
establishment of this kind. The mill, which 
has been constantly improved and added to 
since its first erection, manufactures about 
three hundi'ed barrels of the finest grades of 
flour, running night and day. 

In addition to the main building there are 
several others grouped about it, among which 
are : the storehouse, 28x48 feet on the ground, 
two stories high; baghouse, 12x18 feet in 
size ; cooper-shop, 30x50 ; barrel-house, 24x28 ; 
stockhouse, 16x24; elevator, 40x40; ware- 
house, 40x60, and an office. 16x28, the latter 
neath' and tastefully fitted up, and supplied 
with all the necessary conveniences fordoing 
business. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



663 



The elevator and warehouse spoken of 
above were put up by this firm in the fall of 
1877, on their coming here, and they have a 
combined storage capacity of 60,000 bushels 
of wheat. Large quantities of the product 
of this mill are exported to London, Liver- 
pool, Glasgow, while the markets of Phila- 
delphia and the principal cities of Iowa furnish 
a nearer market for its sale. 

During the year an average of two car 
loads a day is shipped from this mill. The 
firm gives employment to about fifteen or 
twenty men, and puts into circulation about 
$150,000 annually. 

The firm, which is composed of E. E. 
Dund woody and H. H. Corson, was formed 
in the fall of 1877. Mr. Dunwoody came 
first, quite early in the season, and started 
to put up the elevator, when he was joined 
by Mr. Corson, and the elevator and a feed- 
mill was built. Shortly after this a feed and 
flour mill was put up by them where the 
cooper-shop now stands, but this they toi'e 
down to make way for the present elegant 
and finely equipped merchant mill. At first 
this had only a capacity of turning out about 
140 barrels a day, but by remodeling it and 
additional machinery its capacity is more 
than doubled. 

E. E. Dunwoody, the senior member of 
the firm, was born in Delaware County, Pa., 
April 30, 1848, and is the son of James and 
Hannah (Hood) Dunwoody. He was reared 
among the hills and valleys of the old Key- 
stone State, around wiiich many loving mem- 
ories linger, and rem.iined there on a farm 
until he had attained the age of twenty- 
four years, when he went to Chicago. In 
that city he was engaged in the grain, seed 
and druggist glassware business for about 
eighteen months. After that he made a- 
tour through most of the eastern States, and 
then returning west, located, in the fall of 
1875, at Benson, Swift County, Minn., at 
which point he was engaged in buying and 
shipping wheat. In the fall of 1877 he came to 
the new village of New Richland and entered 



into partnership with H. H. Corson, and the 
firm thus formed has been carrying on Inisi- 
ness ever since. It can truthfully be said that 
to no other two men in the village is it in- 
debted in so great a degree for its growtli 
and development as to the membei's of 
this firm. September 12, 1883, he was united 
in marriage with Susannah E. Lewis, daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Eli/.abeth Lewis, and a 
native of the same county as her husband. 
Her parents were also natives of the grand 
old Keystone State. 

H. H. Corson, the junior partner, is also a 
native of Pennsj'lvania, having been born in 
Montgomery Count}', September 19, 1847. 
He is the son of Elias II. and Emily H. 
(Harris) Coi'son, and was reared in the coun- 
ty of his birth until he had attained his 
eighteenth year, when, having studied and 
graduated as a civil engineer, he commenced 
life in the practice of that profession. After 
coming west, in 1869, he was engaged as 
civil engineer on the Northern Pacific Rail- 
road, and was city engineer for the city of 
Minneapolis during the years 1871, 1872 and 
1873. For two years succeeding that he was 
engaged in building mills and other edifices. 
In 1875 he removedto Wilmar, Minn., where 
he commenced banking operations. In 1 877 he 
came to this village, and has been identified 
with it and its interests ever since. Decem- 
ber IS, 1872, Mr. Corson was united in mar- 
riage with Sallie Abraham, the daughter of 
Jonatlian and Sarah T. Abraham, who had 
come from Delaware County, where Mrs. 
Corson was born, to Minnesota, in 1857, 
and located in Minneapolis. Her parents 
are dead ; two sisters live at the old home- 
stead in the latter city. 

One of the promising and growing institu- 
tions of New Ricliland, which has been and 
will be of great benefit to the community, is 
the cheese factory, which was started in the 
spring of 1886, and which took the first pre- 
mium for the excellence of its product, at the 
State Dairj'men's Association, at Albert Lea, 
in the fall of the same vear that it was insti- 



654 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



tilted. This speaks well for the high grade of 
goods put on the market b}'^ the energetic 
and business-like proprietor, Henry Jaehn- 
ing.- 

In the spring of 1878 A. H. Laughlin and 
C. M. Palmer, under the firm name and style 
of Laughlin & Palmer, opened an agricult- 
ural implement depot, and continued in that 
business for about five years, when the busi- 
ness VYas closed up by John Laughlin, a 
brother of A. IL, the firm having removed 
to Lisbon, D. T., where they have grown quite 
wealthy. T. W. Laughlin. who had charge 
of this business here after the firm left this 
place, was killed here by the cars, on April 
13, 1883. 

M. C. Larsen started a hay-press here in 
1885, which is run by horse power, and is 
capable of baling ten tons of hay per diem. 
It gives emplo3'ment to ten men. 

A. J. Stensvad started a steam hay press 
in the fall of 1886, which also gives emjjloy- 
ment to about ten men, and can turn out 
about ten tons of baled hay in a day. 

Benjamin F. Weed, who is the principal 
dealer in wood for fuel in the village, was 
born in Eupert, Vt., April 3, 1834, and while 
but a child, moved with his parents to 
Genesee County, N. Y., and from there to 
Oswego County. There he lived until he 
Avas twelve years old, when he went to work, 
driving on the Erie Canal, and remained at 
that employment some three years, and at 
other business in his native State until 1854. 
He then came to Jackson County, Iowa, 
and engaged to work for Silas O. Kellogg 
on a farm for a year, for eightj^ acres of land 
and $25 in money. December 6, 1855, he 
and Nellie Brisbane were united in mar- 
riage, and in the spring of 1856 he came to 
Waseca Count}', settling in Wilton Town- 
ship, on section 23. There were not many 
settlers here at that time, and Mr. Weed is 
claimed to have taken the first prairie claim 
in the township. On going to Winona to 
enter his claim, he found that he had to have 
his wife on his land, and consequently went 



after her to Jackson County, Iowa, Kellogg 
coming back to this vicinity to keep any one 
from jumping the claim. He resided here 
until December. 1861, when he enlisted in 
Companj' F, Fifth Minnesota Infantry, and 
was mustered into the service January 24, 
1862, and served three years and four months, 
and was in some twenty engagements. He 
was discharged from the service March 23, 

1865, and returned to his Minnesota home, 
where he lived until 1877, when he sold out 
and moved up the river, and in 1884 moved to 
the village of New Richland, where he now 
lives. Mr. and Mrs. Weed are the parents 
of five children : W. Frank, born November 
28, 1856, married Susan R. Stearns, January 
7, 1878, Avho died October 13, 1883, leaving 
one child, Margaret Jennie ; Edwin S., 
born September 20, 1858, married March 10, 
1885, to Lida Kellogg ; Jennie R. born Au- 
gust 22, 1860, married George B. Stearns, 
July, 1877 ; George L., born September 16, 

1866, married Ella Brown, July 31, 1887, 
and Alexander, born December 11, 1876. 
Mrs. Weed was born in Scotland, June 22, 
1836. 

B. H. Schlosser, who deals in wines, 
liquors, cigars, etc., and has a real neat and 
tastily fitted-up establishment, came to the 
county of Waseca in 1875, and settling on a 
farm on section 22, of New Richland Town- 
ship, remained there tilling the soil, sowing 
and reaping the fruits of his labors until 
1SS4, when he removed to the village of New 
Richland and opened his present business 
place, wiiere only good goods are kept and 
evervthine; is done for the accommodation of 
his many customers. Mr. Schlosser is a native 
of Washington County, Wis., although of 
German extraction. He was born January 
21, 1857, and was reared and educated in the 
place of his birth until early manhood, when 
starting out in the world for himself he caine 
to this county and has since resided here. 

Edward Steinhaus, who has in operation 
an excellent restaurant and saloon, came to 
Waseca County in the spring of 1880, and 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



655 



was engaged in carpentering for about two 
years, that Ijeing liis trade. At the expira- 
tion of that time he opened the place where 
he is now doing business. lie has a large, 
fine room, well supplied, and is alwaj's 
ready and willing to meet his customers and 
supply their wants. He is a native of Ger- 
many, and came to this countrj'^ with his 
parents when some fourteen years of age. 
He remained with the old folks until 1862, 
when he commenced to learn the carpenter 
trade, which he followed up to the time of 
opening his saloon. 

Martin Laudert came to this township in 
1871, and settled on a farm, on section 17, 
where he lived for seven years. He then 
rented his place and removed to the village 
of New Richland. Two years later he 
started a meat market which he continued 
for two years, when he was elected city 
marshal, and held that position for three 
years. He then bought another farm on 
section 17, and moved there, but eighteen 
months later rented it and moving back to 
town started his present meat market. He 
is a native of Germany, born in 1849, and 
came to this country in 1871, and, on land- 
ing, came directly to this county as men- 
tioned above, and has ever since been a resi- 
dent here. He is an able, energetic man, of 
good business talents, and is doing his part 
toward the development of this section of 
country. 

S. E. Christianson was born in Minnesota, 
January 29, 1860, and was reared in this 
vicinity. He was united in marriage in 
1880, with Olenia Peterson, who was also a 
native of this State, born June 17, 1864, but 
who died April 28, 1881, leaving one child, 
Samel Olein, born April 21, 1881. Mr. 
Christianson is the owner of the New Eich- 
land dray line, and employs his time in that 
business. May 8, 1883, he was united in 
marriage with Sophia Hanson, born in 
America, April 27, 1869. The family are 
members of the Lutheran Church. 

D. B. Sparks, who is the village justice, 



and is also acting as insurance and collecting 
agent in this vicinity, came to this place 
in the falj of 1877, when the village was 
in its infancy, and commenced business 
as a millwright, putting in the machinery 
in the elevator and mill for Dunwoody 
& Corson, and remained with tiiat firm 
for three years, and then started in busi- 
ness for himself. In 1883 he was elected 
justice of the peace, and has filled that 
office ever since. For the last year or so 
has also handled farm machinery in addition 
to his insurance and collection business. He 
is a native of the State of Pennsylvania, born 
in the year 1833, and is the son of Ozias and 
"Wealthy Sparks. When D. B. had attained 
the age of seventeen years he commenced 
to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner, 
which he followed until he came to this 
place. In 1869 he was united in marriage 
with Clara West, of Illinois. 

William Lauder was born in Washington 
County, Wis., Januai-y 1, 1852, where he re- 
sided until 1876, when he came to Minne- 
sota and settled on section 19, New Rich- 
land Township. After some residence there 
he sold that farm and purchased some 
eighty acres of land on section 8. He made 
his liome there until recently, but now lives 
in the village of New Richland. July 28, 
1875, he was united in the holy bonds of 
matrimony with Bertha Joeeks, who was 
born in Germany, February 23, 1854. They 
have been the parents of six children, five 
of whom are now living. The names of the 
children are as follows : Mary E. M., born 
November 9, 1877; William F., born Oc- 
tober 30, 1879 ; Charles F., born November 
27, 1881 ; Ida Elizabetli, born May 26, 1883, 
died October 24, 1883 ; Clara Anna, born 
September 5, 1884, and John F., born Oc- 
tober 23, 1886. The family of Mr. Lauder, 
with himself, are active members of the 
Lutheran Church. 

The postoffice was established at the vil- 
lage of New Richland in the fall of 1877, 
with John Larsen as postmaster. He con- 



65fi 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



tinued in this position until 1886, wlien he 
was succeeded by N. L. Peterson, the pres- 
ent incumbent of the office. The office was 
made a money -order office in July, 1879, and 
the first order issued on the 7th of that 
month to O. A. Tiffany, payable to Little & 
Beresford, St. Paul, for $8. On the same 
da}'' two others, each for the sum of $50, 
were issued to John Larsen, payable to An- 
drew Wilson, Rochester, Minn. One for 
$9 was issued the same day to Frank 
Kruger, to Continental Insurance Company, 
Chicago. 

The first church erected in the embryo 
town was by the Congregational denomina- 
tion, in the fall of 1882. It was put up at a 
cost of about $1,500. The first meetings of 
this society were held at the waiting-room of 
the depot, Kev. "Wilbur Fisk officiating. This 
gentleman continued to hold services for 
some time, and it was due to his labors that 
the society was organized in 1882. Meet- 
ings were held in empty store buildings and 
at the school building until the church was 
erected. It has always had a light member- 
ship, even from the start, and has not in- 
creased materially. Tiie church building is 
a very pi-etty one, and handsomely and taste- 
full}' fitted up inside, manifesting the cult- 
ure of those who were foremost in the 
good work in putting it up and finishing 
it. The present pastor is Ilev. Eaker. 

The Norwegian Lutheran Church was 
erected in tlie summer of 1883, at a cost of 
$2,500. The first meeting of this society 
in the village was held at II. Larson's hall, 
in the fall of 1877, Rev. O. A. Mellby presid- 
ing. He continues to preach in the church 
to this day. Meetings wei'e held in the 
schoolhouse, prior to tlie building of the 
church. 

The sciiool Ijuikling was oi'ected in the 
north part of town, during the summer 
of 1878, at a cost of about $1,200. It re- 
mained in that locality until the autumn of 
1886, when it was removed to its present 
location, nearer the center of the town. It 



was then remodeled and additions made, 
until the total cost of the building is al)out 
$•3,700. The first teacher in the schoolhouse 
was O. A. Tiffany. 

Tiie first school in the village was held in 
Lai'son's hall, and it was taught for aljout 
four months by Miss Marian Dunbar, at a 
salary of $25 per month. The schoolhouse 
can accommodate some two hundred scholars 
in its four rooms, but only three rooms are 
in use, three teachers being employed. 

The depot at the Minneapolis ik St. Louis 
Railroad at this village was erected in the 
fall of 1877, and E. Davis was the first agent. 
He remained for about five years. The 
position is filled, at present, by S. V. L. Meigs. 

Strangers Refuge Lodge, No. 74, Inde))en- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted 
January 4, 1880, with the following charter 
members : C. G. Cheesebro, Henry Jashning, 
F. G. Schneider, E. Steinhaus and William 
Lutt'. The first officers were : C. G. Cheese- 
bro, N. G.; E. Steinhaus, V. G. ; F. G. 
Schneider, S. ; Henry Jtehning, T. ; C. 
Hooper, R. S. N. G. ; Chas. Brossard, L. S. 
N. G, : W. Smith Jr., W. ; Charles Brunell, 
C. ; W. Luff, I. G. 

The present officers are: C. A. Wagner, 
N. G. ; J. Kreuzer, V. G. ; O. S. Bakke. S. ; 
F. G. Schneider, T. ; C. A. Wagner, R. S. 
N. G. ; Archie Johnson, W. ; O. H. Bronson, 
C. ; Morris Ilolbrook, I. G. ; L. F. Meigs, 
R. S. V. G. ; John McGary, L. S. V. G. 

The lodge is in good shape and in very 
nourishing condition, and has a full member- 
ship of eighteen. 

Lincoln Post, No. 26, Grand Army of tlie 
Republic, was organized in the fall ofjl882, 
with the following officers: Chris. Wagner, 
P. C. ; B. F. Weed, S. V. C. ; O. H. Sutlief, 
J. V. C. ; Fenton Keenan, O. D. ; E. E. Yer- 
plank. A.; II. J. Hanson, V. M. ; P. A. 
Holt, 0. G. 

The officers are at present : Z. M. Pati'idge, 
P. C. ; O. H. Sutlief, S. V. C. ; E. E. Yer- 
plank, A. ; Chris. Wagner, Q. M. \ J. AV. 
Pierce. Chap. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COTTNTY. 



657 



In the spring of 1885 a fire company was 
organized at this village, under the name of 
Rescue, No. 1, with D. B. Sparks as en- 
gineer and M. Murphy, captain. In July of 
the same year a hand fire engine was pur- 



chased, which has places for eighteen men on 
the levers, and has done excellently well, 
paying for itself within a j'ear from its pur- 
chase, at the fire that occurred at the planing 
mill of P. A. Holt & Co. 




CHAPTER XXIV. 




VIVIAN TOWNSHIP. 



OWNS HIP 105, nortli of range 
2-i west, constitutes the subdi- 
vision of Waseca County known 
as Vivian. It lies in the extreme 
southwestern corner of the coun- 
ty, and is bounded on the nortli 
and east by the townships of 
Freedom and Byron ; on the 
south and west by the counties 
of Faribault and Blue Earth. 
The sui'face of the land in this 
portion of Waseca is nearly Hat, with onl3' a 
slight inclination to undulation. The differ- 
ence in elevation between the highest and 
the lowest portions, connected by slopes in 
some instances a mile in length, is only about 
five or ten feet. This no doubt is the most 
level land in the county, but is by no means 
marshy, or in any way unfit for cultivation ; 
in fact, some of the best farms in tiie county 
are located in this town. 

The Big Cobb River flowing in a generally 
westerly course through the southern part 
of the precinct, and an affluent of the Little 
Cobb River in the northern part, constitute 
the principal drainage system of Vivian. 
The soil, a ricli, warm, dark alluvial loam, is 
noted for its quick fertility and ample pro- 
ductiveness; while, in such places as are yet 
untouched by the plow, native indigenous 
grasses cover the ground, affording excellent 
pasturage for stock. 

EAELY SETTLEMKNT. 

The town of Vivian was one of those in 
the county that was settled up slowly, prob- 
ably owing to the general flatness of the 
land and its consequent wetness. Still, by 



persistent hard work, much of it has been 
brought into subjection to the uses of man, 
and some of the finest places in the southern 
part of the county are found in this town- 
siiip. 

The pioneer settler of Vivian was un- 
doubtedly E. S.Woodruff. He had formerly 
lived near Green Bay, Wis., with the Indians, 
and had a squaw wife and a half-breed son. 
He came here from Iowa in the summer of 
1856, and settled upon section 27, where he 
lived until the spring of 1865, when he died. 

About the same time came B. F. Haines, 
who located a claim on section 83. He had 
formerly lived at Bennington, Vt., and 
was a man of high culture, but extremely 
diffident, and somewhat of a recluse in his 
habits of life. He was, however, one of the 
most upright, honorable men that is possible 
to find, and leaves behind him the warmest 
esteem and respect of all who knew him. 
He died here in 1872. 

A man by the name of E. A. Clark came 
with Mr. Haines and " bached " with him, 
for these men had no wives or families 
with them. Clark afterward married and 
returned to Wisconsin in 1858. Haines 
bought his claim on section 28. 

Two men by the name of Edgerton came 
here from Wisconsin in the summer or fall 
of 1856, and located claims on section 28, 
and remained long enough to preempt the 
same, when they returned to the Badger 
State. One of them, Fred., died at Portage 
Citj', where he was practicing law. 

The next settler was J. B. Hill, who on 
the 2d of July, 1857, located on section 31, 
on the Cobb River. He was born at Sraithboro, 



668 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtTNTY. 



659 



Tioo-a County, N. Y., July 7, 1824, and 
when eleven years old removed with parents 
to Chemung County. In 1850 he and his 
wife, Myanda E. (Stevens) Hill, whom he 
had married in August, 1846, removed to 
Green Lake County, Wis., where they lived 
until coming here. Mrs. PliU has the honor 
of being the first white woman to settle 
within the bounds of the present town of 
Byron. Mr. Hill enlisted in February, 1864, 
in Company F, Tenth Minnesota Infantry, 
and participated in the engagements at 
Tupelo, Nashville and Spanish Fort. He 
is now living at Minnesota Lake. When he 
came here the season for breaking was 
l)ast, and but little could be done in that 
line, and the year bringing but little encour- 
agement to the new settlers, in 1859 Mr. 
Hill opened a blacksmith slio)) in St. Mary, 
but the next year returned to his farm in 
this township. 

Within a few days after Mr. Hill, S. L. 
Daggett made his appearance in this locality 
and settled here. He was one of nature's 
noblemen, and enjo\'ed the respect and 
esteem of all. He left here some years 
afterward, and died at Blue Earth City about 
the year 1863. 

Four brotiiers by the name of Shanahan 
made a settlement here in 1857 and remained 
until the Pike's Peak excitement, when they 
went to that land of golden hopes. 

An Irishman by the name of Sweeney, 
and his brother, came here about the same 
time. One of these men married a sister of 
the Shanahan brothers, and was frozen to 
death shortly afterward, in November, 1857, 
as detailed further on. 

Richard or Dick Whiting, a young man, 
took up a claim on section 31, in the summer 
of 1857, but sold out the same fall and left. 

George T. White, although not entitled 
to be called a settler in this township, came 
here in 1857, and made a claim on the soutli- 
west of section 30, 1'esiding on it long enough 
to preempt it. He was one of the coolest 
men imaginable, and his presence of mind 



and composure while at the head of his com- 
pany of the Tenth Infantry, and while mor- 
tally wounded, was remarkable. 

Joseph Thurston, in the fall of 1857, came 
to Vivian Township and bought out the 
claim of Eichard Whiting on section 31. He 
came here from Waushara County, Wis., 
and about 1860 went back to that place. 

W. H. Harmon came to Minnesota in 1857, 
from Green Lake County, Wis., and after a 
year spent in Blue Earth County, came to 
Vivian Township and settled on section 32, 
where he still lives. He is a native of Berk- 
shire County, Mass., born January 27, 1827. 
He was united in marriage in 1849 with 
Esther Smith, and the following year moved 
to Wisconsin. His wife died May 14, 1873, 
having been the mother of eleven children. 
Mr. Harmon has done much toward the 
develojmient of this part of the county, and 
has a very fine place. Mr. Harmon's present 
wife is Ellen, daughter of Aiken Mycue Sr. 

William and Irvine Clark, two young single 
men, came from the State of New York, in 
1858, and settled on sections 18 and 19, where 
they lived for a time, and then returned to 
the place of their nativity. 

Ichabod West with his family came here 
and located in this township in 1858. He 
settled on the southwest quarter of section 
9, where he resided many years. He died 
some five or six years ago. His son, J. F. 
West, settled on the south west quarter of sec- 
tion 8, and made that his home until a few 
years ago, when he removed to Kittson 
County, this State. Ammi West, another 
son, located on the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 17. He removed from here to a place 
near Janesville, but has since left the count}'. 
Some of the family still live here. 

John Dwj'er made a settlement on section 
10 of this town, in 1858, where he lived for 
some years, but subsequently moved to Eice 
County. He was a native of the Emerald 
Isle. 

John Dineen, now of Byron Township, 
came here and made a settlement in 1858. 



660 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Thomas Kyan, a native of Ireland, set- 
tled on section 15 during the year 1858. He 
is now dead. 

John A. "Wheeler, who had settled at St. 
Mary some time previous, came to this 
township in 1858 and took up a claim on sec- 
tion 4, but did not move on it for some time 
afterward. He, during the war, was a member 
of Company F, Tenth Minnesota Infantry, 
and afterward served as a captain in a col- 
ored regiment. He was quite a genius in 
his way, and considerable of an inventor. 
He built the sawmill near his property, and 
gave his name to the lake in the northern 
part of Vivian, that is known as Wheeler 
Lake to this day. He died about 1876 or 
18T7. 

Nels Sorenson, commonly known as San- 
derson, made a settlement on the southwest 
quarter of section 21, where he now resides. 

Ole Johnson, still a resident of this town, 
settled here in 1858, taking up a homestead 
of 160 acres on section 21, where he now 
lives. He was born in Norway, January 4, 
182-1. February 8, 1852 he was married to 
Betsy Nelson, who was born October 3, 1826. 
They came to the United States in 1855, and 
for three years lived in Wisconsin, from 
whence he came to this place. He was a 
member of Company F, Tenth Minnesota 
Infantry, during the war. Mr. and Mrs. 
Johnson are the parents of seven children, 
as follows : Mary, born in Norway, Novem- 
ber 26, 1854, died August 9, 1882, buried in 
Waupun cemetery ; Carl, whose history fol- 
lows this ; Harriett, born April 6, 1859, died 
June 10, 1877, buried in Medo cemetery ; 
Ella, born August 2, 1861 ; Louis, born Feb- 
ruary 5, 1864, died April 16, 1866 ; Louisa, 
born March 12, 1867 ; Jennie, April 3, 1869, 
and Matilda, February 26, 1871. 

Carl Johnson is the son of Ole and Betsy 
(Nelson) Johnson, and was born in Waupun, 
Wis., March 12, 1856. He came with his 
parents to this county in 1858, they settling 
on section 21. There Carl grew to man- 
hood, there he received his education, and 



there he continued to work for his father 
until March 10, 1882, when he was united in 
marriage with Carrie Thompson, and the 
3'oung couple went to live on a farm of 
eighty acres on section 21, that his father 
had given him. They are the parents of one 
cliild, Eva, born February 26, 1883. Carl 
has filled the office of town supervisor two 
years, that of town clerk three years, and 
school district clerk nine years. 

Quite a number of Norwegian families 
came here in the summer and fall of 1858, 
but left here in the following spring, not 
making any permanent settlement. 

Mark Moore also came in 1858 and located 
on section 19. He was a resitlent of the 
county at the time of his death, which oc- 
curred some four or five years since. 

Montraville Sias came to Vivian from 
Waupun, Wis., m 1858, and settled on sec- 
tion 18, where he lived until about 1871, 
when he removed to Kansas. 

Owen M., David and Samuel Jones, three 
Welshmen, made settlements here in 1858. 
O. M. located on section 17, where he lived 
until the summer of 1887, when he left the 
county. David located on section 20, where 
he resided some years and then moved to 
Douglas County, Minn. Samuel's settlement 
was on section 19. He, too, has removed to 
Douglas County. 

OTHERS. 

There are a few other leading agricult- 
urists in this township who are worthj^ of 
notice in these annals, and sketches of them 
are given in this conection : 

Andrew J. Henderson, one of the leading 
stock farmers of this part of the county, is a 
native of Scotland, born August 15, 1849. 
In 1854 he was brought to the United States 
by his parents, who settled in Dane County, 
Wis. He remained there until the fall of 
1871, when he removed to Nebraska, where 
he took up a homestead and engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. He was among 
the pioneers of the region where he settled 



HISTORY OF WASEflA COUNTY. 



663 



at that time. He lived there until 1882, 
when he came to this county and township, 
where, purchasing the west half of section 
34, he settled down to his present business. 
He has been extensively engaged in raising 
cattle, but is now devoting himself to the 
breeding and raising of fine draft horses, 
now owning five imported stallions and one 
imported mare, all of tiie Lord Lj'on strain 
of the Clyde breed, which is said to be the 
best of that stock in the world. He intends 
to increase these to twenty liead. His suc- 
cess in this line is marvelous, and the thrifty, 
industrious nature inherent in people of his 
country is making him rapidly a wealthy 
man. He was married in Wisconsin, May 
10,1876, to Elizabeth Muir, a native of Scot- 
land, born August 13, 1853. The}^ are the 
parents of five children, born as follows : 
Andrew, June 30, 18T7 ; James, January 24, 
1879 ; "William, September 10, 1881 ; Susan, 
January 27, 1883, and Joseph, March 15, 
1886. The three eldest were born in Nebras- 
ka, the others here. Mr. Henderson is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and is 
a Eepublican politically. 

Eodney E. Hanks is a native of Alleganv 
County, N. Y.. l)orn December 13, 1836. 
While he was young the famih' removed to 
Wisconsin, where he continued to work for 
his father until the day after he was twenty- 
one years old, when he commenced teaching 
school, pursuing that profession during the 
winters, and farming in the summers for tlie 
next ten years. Pie was united in marriage 
with Matilda Margeret Poland, September 
2, 1861, and the young couple came to the 
county of Waseca in 1864, and made a set- 
tlement here. He now has a fine farm here 
on section 24, this town. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hanks liave had born to them five children, 
as follows : Herbert E., born April 8, 1870 ; 
Albert Fisk, November 27, 1872; George 
Spencer, July 2,1874; Jesse Earl, March 6, 
1881, and May Bell, May 14, 1886. Mr. 
Hanks has held theoffices of town supervisor, 
justice of the peace and clerk of the school 

39 



district. On the 7th of January, 1873, dur- 
ing the great storm of that day, he was 
exposed to all its fury. He had started from 
Janesville for home, with a load of wood, 
but when he was about two miles south of 
Alma City the snow and wind came down 
upon him with a rush. The mules which he 
was driving wandered from the road, and 
finally refused to face the storm, so making 
a virtue of the necessity, he unloaded the 
wood, and standing it on end managed to 
make it a shelter. There he remained a day 
and two nights, with nothing to eat and 
exposed to the worst storm Minnesota has 
ever seen in the memory of man. On the 
second morning the snow abated a little, and 
although his feet were badly frozen, he man- 
aged to reach a house about a mile distant. 
He then learned that there was a house not 
more than sixty rods from where he had kept 
his sad, cold and lonely bivouac. When he 
was facing the storai he had tied an empty 
grain sack on his head, and the snow being 
damp when the storm first came up, wet it, 
as well as liis clothes, and this freezing kept 
out the piercing wind, and hence part of the 
cold. He has been unfortunate in more ways 
than that, as the roof of his house was taken 
off and landed about twenty-five feet away, 
in a storm on tJie 17th of July, 1870, which 
came up about 10 o'clock at night. The 
very next fall the prairie fire, di'iven by a 
strong wind, came i-acing down toward him, 
and burned up his hay and stables, while 
his father-in-law, Jesse Poland, just across 
the road had house, barn and everything 
destroj'ed b\^ the same devastating element. 
Aiken Mycue Sr. is a native of Canada, 
born November 16, 1807. In 1864 he came 
to the county of Waseca, and settling in the 
village of Wilton, remained there for about 
sixteen months, when, purchasing 160 acres 
of land on sections 29 and 32, in this town- 
ship, moved thither, and has made this his 
home ever since. He has given eighty acres 
of this farm to his son Aiken, who carries on 
farming there. Mr. Mycue was united in 



664 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



marriage with Mary McDonald, in the year 
1830, who departed this life March 10, 1875. 
They were the parents of nine children, born 
as follows: Caroline, born March 10, 1831, 
married Loren Harmon, and resides at 
Anoka, this State ; Ellen, born January 25, 
1835, who married Thomas Simpson, but 
he dying, she is now the wife of W. H. Har- 
mon, living in this township ; Elizabeth, born 
February 13, 1840, now Mrs. Joel Headley, 
of Luverne, this State ; an infant, born De- 
cember 11, 1847, died the 22d of the same 
month ; Elijah, born September 21, 1837, 
married Ada Preston, and lives in Mankato, 
Minn.; Daniel, born November 8, 1842, died 
August 26, 1845; Henry M., born May 25, 
1845, married Louisa Butler, and lives in 
Minneapolis ; Aiken Jr. born November 25, 
1848, married Ida Harmon, and lives in this 
township; Levi, born September 17, 1851, 
and died February 22, 1853, and Jesse. 

Herman Baldwin was born in Germany, 
January 10, 1847, and came to the United 
States in 1869. He at first settled in Pennsyl- 
vania, where he was engaged laying slate for 
about six months, and came west as far as 
Milwaukee. Two years later he removed to 
New Orleans, spending a j'ear in the latter 
place. He then came to Owatonna, Steele 
County, and worked at whatever he could 
find to do for some eight or ten years. 
About 1877 he came to this county, and now 
has a fine farm of 240 acres of land, well 
stocked and improved. April 5, 1878, he 
was united in mari'iage with Augustina 
Dumpka, in Dunbar, Faribault County, tiiis 
State. They have been the parents of five 
children : Edith, born June 6, 1879, who died 
in October, 1880; Leinhardt, born Decem- 
ber 25, 1880, and died in February, 1881 : 
Eliza, born August 24, 1883; Martha, Au- 
gust 5, 1885, and Emma, May 31, 1887. Mr. 
Baldwin's mother died in Germany, and he 
sent for his father to come out and spend the 
remainder of his days with him, but the old 
gentleman only lived six months after com- 
ing to the United States. He and his 



family are members of the Lutheran Church. 

Charles Beyer, an enterprising agriculturist 
of this township who has a small but highly 
cultivated farm on section 30, where he car- 
ries on general farming and stock-raising, is 
a native of Germany, born September 4, 
1854, and was brought to the United States 
by his parents in the year 1856. He remained 
at home with the old folks until 1875, 
when, having attained the age of twenty -one 
years, he started out in the world for him- 
self. He then came to this county, and for 
about two years woi-ked for sevei-al farmers 
in this vicinity, and in 1877 bought the place 
where he now resides. October 31, 1878, he 
was united in marriage with Louisa Peper, 
and they have been the parents of three 
children : Leona, born November 3, 1880 ; 
Emma, May 3, 1882, and Ida, November 16, 
1886. He is a member of the Lutheran 
Cliurch, and a Republican in politics. 

Mrs. Honora Dwj^er, who maiden name was 
Honora Conlin, first saw the liglit in Ire- 
land in 1837. She remained in the land of 
her birth until 1869, when she came to 
America, and to the State of Minnesota. 
Here in July, 1871, she was united in the 
holy sacrament of marriage with Thomas 
Dw3'er, wlio died January 20, 1881, leaving 
her with two daughters : Bridget, born June 
26, 1872, and Ann, born August 17, 1874. 
Both are living with their mother. She 
owns a good farm of 160 acres of land on 
section 3, of this township, on which she 
lives, although she rents the use of the land. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Vivian was organized as an independent 
civil township, after being a portion of 
Otisco precinct, at a meeting of the county 
commissioners held April 5, 1858. The first 
election was held at the house of J. B. Hill, 
that gentleman and E. Woodruff and S. L. 
Daggett acting as judges. The officers 
chosen at that time, according to the mem- 
ory of the old settlers, no record being 
found, were : J. B. Hill, chaii-man, S. L. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



665 



Daggett and E. S. Woodruff, supervisors ; 
Irvine Clark, town clerk. The present offi- 
cers are : Marshall Fowler, chairman ; Henry 
Bluhm, clerk ; "William Fisher, treasurer. 

FIRST ITEMS. 

Probably the first birth in the town was 
that of a child of Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Daggett, 
l)orn shortly after their coming here in the 
summer of 1857. This infant died in the 
fall of 1858. A child was born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Sweeney about the same time, but as 
the dates of both births cannot be had, it is 
a question which preceded the other. 

The first death was that of the Ii'ishman, 
Sweeney, which occurred in November, 1857. 
He had been to St. Mary ; there came on a 
snow storm, and being thinly clad and be- 
coming confused and bewildered, he was 



frozen to death, having lost his way, 
although his body was found but a short 
distance from his home. 

The first jiiarriage was that of the man 
Clark, who came with Haines, to Ann Stocker. 

The first schoolhouse was built in 1859, 
and here the first religious services were 
held by Elder E. S. Smith, of Wilton, a Bap- 
tist clergyman. 

In the earl}^ days a post route was laid out 
through the town of Vivian, and J. B. 
Hill was commissioned postmaster under 
Buchanan's administration, and held that 
office for many years. 

Vivian cemetery was laid out in 1869, but 
burials had taken place there as earl3' as 
1858 ; the first interment was that of a child 
of S. L. Daggett, that died the fall of that 
year. 




CHAPTER XXV. 



BTKON TOWNSHIP. 




I V ING on the central part of the 
south line of the county is the 
township of Byron. It comprises 
all of congressional township 
105, north of range 23 west, and 
contains about the usual 23,040 
acres of land. The surface, which 
is nearly level, with gentle undulations, has 
yet sufficient pitch to drain well, carried 
off by the waters of Boot Creek, in the 
eastern part of the township. The soil is a 
dark, warm, clayey loam, and, for fecundity 
and fertility, not surpassed by any in the 
county for some kinds of crops. 

EAELY SETTLEMENT. 

Owino- to several causes, the settlement of 
Byron Township was not as rapid in an early 
day as in some other parts of the county. 
The land being more level, in the wet seas- 
ons the soil was damp and cold, and until 
the surrounding country was broken up and 
occupied, immigrants sought more congenial 
places, except a few hardy pioneers whose 
foresight told them that the natural resources 
of this country could be brought out by per- 
sistent work, and who have been rewarded 
for their pains. 

The pioneer settler of this subdivision of 
the county was Jeremy Davis, a native of 
New Jersey, who located on the northwest 
quarter of section 34, in the spring of 1855, 
and built the first house in the township. 
Tiiis was destroyed by fire in the spring of 
1857. Mr. Davis resided here until Septem- 
ber 13, 1863, when he died, and his body lies 
in the Trenton cemetery, in Freeborn County, 
Minn. His first wife, Phoebe (Bowenj 



Davis, died in Cumberland Count}', N. J. 
in 1837. His second wife, Keziah (Davis) 
Davis, is now living in Chicago. He had 
two sons in the army during the war in the 
famous Fifth Minnesota, one of whom died 
in the service. 

Daniel C. Davis, a son of Jeremy and 
Phoebe (Bowen) Davis, came to what is now 
Byron Township, in 1855, and made a settle- 
ment. He preempted one farm and took an- 
other as a homestead on sections 28 and 33, 
where he now lives, his buildings being on 
the latter section. He was born in Cumber- 
land County, N. J., May 13, 1834. At the 
age of nineteen years he commenced work 
in a painting and carriage trimming estab- 
lishment at Shiloh, N. J., and remained there 
some four years. He then moved to Wal- 
worth County, Wis., where he worked one 
year on a farm, and the next year delivered 
brick at the kiln of Coleman & Davis, in 
Rock County, Wis. In 1855 he came here 
as above mentioned. July 18, 1861, he was 
united in marriage with Frances Parvin, the 
daughter of Benaiah and Elizabeth Parvin, 
who came to Minnesota in ] 860. They have 
been the parents of three children : Charles, 
born July 6, 1863 ; Mary, July 13, 1865, and 
Hattie L., April 13, 1874. Charles died Feb- 
ruary 21, 1865, and his body is interred in 
Trenton cemetery. Mary was united in mar- 
riage, September 5, 1885, with Fred. Her- 
rington, and lives on her father's farm in the 
house he built on coming here. Mr. Davis 
has devoted most of his time to his farm un- 
til within the last two years, during which 
time he has been writing life insurance, and 
has been very successful indeed in that line. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COTINTT. 



667 



Christie McGrath, no\y a resident of the 
township, made a settlement here in 1856 on 
section 4, where he now lives. 

William and David Beavins, in 1856, made 
settlements on sections 23 and 26. David is 
now a resident of Freedom Township, and 
William is still living on the old homestead. 
They came here from Wisconsin. 

Isaac Lyng came to this township in 1856, 
also, and settled on part of section 26. 
During the war he enlisted in Company F, 
Tenth Minnesota Infantry, and died during 
the year 1865, and is buried at Dauphin 
Island. His wife died here at home about 
the same time. 

C. S. Weed came to Waseca County in 
1856, and made a settlement here, and is 
still a resident of the township. 

J. H. Wightman, one of the representative 
citizens of New Richland, is one of the pio- 
neer settlers of this township, coming to this 
part of the county in July, 1857, and locat- 
ing on section 24. With him came Ira 
Dane. 

Richard Ayers, from New Jersey, came to 
this township in 1857, and located on sec- 
tion 34. He died at Janesville, whither he 
had removed, about three or four years ago. 

William Philbrook came to Byron Town- 
ship in 1857, and made a settlement. 

Mrs. Sarah Tibbets Philbrook was born 
in Brooksville, Me., May 6, 1807, and was 
married to William Philbrook in 1835. 
They came to Waseca County in 1857, and 
Mr. Philbrook bought the southeast quarter 
of section 14, in this township, where they 
lived till in 1865, when he was called from 
this world " to a mansion not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens." The widow 
still lives on the old homestead. Mr. and 
Mrs. Philbrook were the parents of five 
children, born as follows : Rowena, born in 
October, 1837 ; Roscoe, June 16, 1839; By- 
ron, January 19, 1841; Lyman F., February 
19, 1842, and George, October 31, 1846. 
When they settled in this place there was 
not a house in sight, and their nearest neigh- 



bor was a long distance away. Her son, 
Roscoe, lives with his mother, and carries on 
the farm, which is a most excellent one, and 
very productive. On the place is a very 
neat cottage, and a good commodious barn. 
Roscoe Philbrook was one of the nation's 
defenders in the late civil war, enlisting in 
the United States navy in the autumn of 
1864, and served until July, 1865, when he 
received an honorable discharge. 

Jacob W. Pierce came to Byron Township 
in April, 1857, and took up a claim on sec- 
tion 35, where he now lives. 

Jacob W. Pierce was born in Cumberland 
County, N. J., October 15, 1833. He re- 
mained in the State of his birth until he had 
reached his majority, when he commenced 
the world for himself, doing farm work and 
carpentering work. In 1855 he came west 
and settled in Walworth County, Wis., 
where he remained some eighteen months, 
and in December, 1856, he returned to New 
Jersey and stayed there until March, 1857, 
when he came back to Wisconsin, where he 
purchased some ox teams, and came through 
to Freeborn, Freeborn County, this State, 
where he followed carpentering, although 
he took up a claim on section 35, of this 
town, where he now lives. He resided in 
Freeborn until 1862, when he enlisted as a 
private in Company F, Fifth Minnesota In- 
fantry. He was a participant in many en- 
gagements, and was wounded at the second 
battle at Corinth. He served until Sep- 
tember, 1865, when he was mustered out as 
first lieutenant and discharged at Fort Snell- 
ing. He returned to Freeborn and was a 
clerk in a store there until 1866, when he re- 
turned to New Jersey to visit his father and 
spent eight months there. Returning to Free- 
born he took up his trade of carpenter and 
followed it for some years, and then turned 
his attention to his farm, of which he now has 
365 acres, with a beautiful grove surrounding 
his house and other buildings. January 1, 
1867, he was united in marriage with Sarah 
Horning. They are the parents of five 



6rtS 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



children, born as follows : Clarence E., Jan- 
uary 4, 1868 : Albertus M., March 12, 1869 ; 
Vilmer E., March 20, 1872; Bertrice M., 
March 19, 1874, and Claude A., August 18, 
1877. 

Mrs. Fierce is a lady of unusual courage 
and presence of mind, as the following in- 
cident will show : They had been annoyed 
by tramps from time to time, and as she had 
heard of several dastardly acts those gentry 
had committed, she was determined to stop 
their coming to her house if cool and deter- 
mined receptions would keep them away. 
She did not have long to wait, for one day, 
when she was alone, a burly, villainous-look- 
ing tramp came to the door and ordered her 
to get him something to eat. She quickly 
stepped into another room and picked up a 
shot-gun, which she aimed at his head, and 
told him if he did not leave instanter she 
would feed him in a way he would not like. 
He could see by her determined look that she 
meant what she said, and did not wait for a 
second invitation to leave. She has not been 
troubled in that way since. 

Garret Hope's settlement in this township 
dates from 1858. He is still a resident on 
the place where he first located. 

Garret Hope owns one of the finest farms 
in the town, on the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 6, where he has an excellent dwelling- 
house, a horse barn, cattle barn, two grana- 
ries and a machine shed. He has an artesian 
well on his place, and an orchard from which 
he has raised one year some forty bushels of 
apples, besides a large quantity of small fruits. 
Mr. Hope was born in County West Mayo, 
Ireland, August 15, 1840, and is the son of 
James and Ann Hope. AVhen he was twelve 
years old, in 1852, he came to the United 
States, locating in Bridgeport, Conn., where 
he remained until 1855, learning the car- 
penter's trade. He then moved to Beloit, 
"Wis., where he remained until 1857, when 
he came to this countj^ and in 1858 
settled in this township, where he now 
lives. The first year he was here he fol- 



lowed his trade, and for a time after loca- 
ting on his farm did something at carpenter- 
ing at odd times. On the 27th of May, 1861, 
he was united in marriage with Mary Mc- 
Grath, daughter of Patrick and Catherine 
McGrath. They have been the parents'of ten 
children, born as follows : James, April 16, 
1862; Catharine, September 4, 1863; Pat- 
rick, March 5, 1865 ; Ann, October 16, 1866 ; 
Garrett, June 4, 1868 ; Maria, July 12, 1870 ; 
Julia, November 5, 1872 ; Agnes, September 
22, 1875; Mary, February 20, 1878, and 
Charles, November 6, 1880. All are living at 
home except Ann, who is one of the Domin- 
ican sisters at Chicago, HI. Mr. Hope has 
been town supervisor and school clerk, and 
is otherwise prominent in town affaii-s. 

Omer H. Sutliff made a settlement in this 
county in 1858, but did not come to Byron 
until 1861, as related below. 

Omer H. Sutliff was born Warren County, 
Pa., May 2, 1837. When he was only sixteen 
years of age, he left home to seek his for- 
tune, and that summer worked on the Erie 
canal, in New York. The next year he 
spent on a farm in the same State, and then 
came west to Wisconsin, where he remained 
until 1856, when he came to this State, where 
he remained all winter, in the spring return- 
ing to Black River, Wis., where he was 
engaged in teaming for the mills. In 1858 he 
came to Waseca County, and helped erect the 
sawmill at the village of Otisco, and when it 
was finished, worked there for about a year. 
December 11, 1860, he was united in mar- 
riage with Mary Holbrook, and renting his 
father-in-law's farm in Otisco Township, cul- 
tivated that for a year. He then made a 
claim on the southwest quarter of section 24, 
this township, where he now lives, and there 
he built him a shanty of two wagon-loads of 
poles and a few slabs, aud as they lost the 
legs of their stove in moving, Mr. Sutlitt' 
drove stakes in the ground for it to rest on. 
In April, 1861, he enlisted in company I, 
First Minnesota Infantry, in w^hich he served 
three years and three months. He was in 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



669 



twenty-one pitched battles, besides skir- 
mishes, and had his thumb shot off. He was 
at the banquet given at Washington, and 
there received the reward of merit granted to 
all that had served through their term of 
service. He was mustered out and dischai'ged 
at Fort Snelling, in June, 1864, and return- 
ing home, purchased a house and moved it 
on his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Sutliff are the 
parents of five children : Amanda, born Sep- 
tember 9, 1864, married Dwight Hatch, in 
August, 1882, and now lives in Otisco Town- 
ship ; Minnie, born April 2, 1867, married 
in December 1884, to P>ed. Heckes, living 
now in New Eichland Township ; Morris, 
born May 28, 1869 ; Viola, born October 1, 
1872, and Dora, born August 15, 1877. Mr. 
Sutliff has now a fine farm and a fine mod- 
ern cottage, in which he lives, and excellent 
surroundings. 

Benaiah Parvin, a native of New Jersey, 
made a claim in this township, on section 33, 
and settled here in 1860. He drove the 
stage, and carried the mail from Alma City 
to Janesville for a number of years. Charles 
Parvin, a son of his, was a member of the 
Fourth Minnesota Infantry during the war, 
and died in the service. Benaiah emigrated 
to Arkansas a few years ago and died there. 
Mrs. D. C. Davis is a daughter of his. 

Jesse R. Weed was born in Angelica, Alle- 
gany County, N. Y., May 23, 1819, and 
came to Waseca County, in October, 1860, 
settling on the northwest quarter of section 
34, in this town, which he purchased pre- 
vious to coming here, on which he still lives. 
The north part of his house, one of the first 
built in this neighborhood, is the only one of 
the old buildings left. Mr. Weed has also 
eighty acres of land on section 27. When he 
was nineteen years of age, he started out in 
the world for himself, engaging in farming, 
which occupation he has followed ever since 
June 7, 1838, he was united in marriage with 
Clarinda Maxon, and they have been the 
parents of five children, born as follows : 
Lorenzo, August 29, 1843, died October 12, 



the same year ; Henry Spencer, May 31, 
1845 ; Lucy, June 30, 1847, died July 7, the 
same year; Harriet, March 31, 1850, died 
July 11, 1850 ; Susan L., May 27, 1854, died 
January 30, 1883. Mr. Weed is the son of 
James and Susan (Rogers) Weed, the father 
a native of New York, the mother of Con- 
necticut. Mr. Weed was here during the 
Indian troubles of 1862, and went to the 
Winnebago agency, and helped guard that 
place, and both nights he was there the sav- 
ages had a war dance. 

ORGANIC. 

In 1857 when the first board of county 
commissioners were districting the county 
for the first time, what is now Byron Town- 
ship was made a part of Otisco, and so re- 
mained until November 1, 1858, when the 
board ordered the organization of it as a 
separate civil town. The first officers elected, 
according to the best recollections of the 
oldest inhabitants, there being no records 
accessible, were : J. H. Wightraan, chairman 
of board of town supervisors; John Mc- 
Grath, side supervisor, and David Beavins, 
clerk. The present officers are: Christie 
McGrath, chairman , Garret Hope and 
Michael Heffernan, supervisors ; C. S. Weed, 
clerk. 

REPRESENTATIVE PEOPLE. 

Sketches of some of the most )irominent 
and enterprising people of this town are 
given here, as an index of the people who 
inhabit Byron. 

Mrs. Calista J. Wilson was born in Madison 
County, N. Y., December 11, 1831, and with 
her parents, whose names were Campbell, 
moved to Rock County, Wis., where, Decem- 
ber 11, 1849, she was united in marriage 
with Edwin A. Crumb. They remained 
there about eight years, and then removed 
to Winnesheik County, Iowa, but after three 
years' residence there, they came to this 
township and took up a homestead of 160 
acres of land, the northeast quarter of sec- 
tion 32. Since coming here thev lived some 



670 



HISTORY OK WASECA COCNTY. 



time in the village of "Wilton, where Mrs. 
Crumb carried on a millinerv establishment, 
and her husband a wagon-making shop. 
After three j'ears spent there the}' returned 
to Wisconsin for Mr. Crumb's health, which 
was failing. Eig-hteen months later thev 
returned here, and on the 20th of Januar}', 
1878, death claimed her husband. Mr. and 
Mrs. Crumb were the parents of five chil- 
dren: Xevonia A., born May 15, 1851, 
married Truman Davis in 1870, and now re- 
sides at Cartright, Wis.; John M., born De- 
cember 3, 1853, married Ada Cummings, and 
now lives in Freeborn Count}', Minn.; Lovell 
A., born February 12, 1857, died October 12, 
1877; Carloss H., born March 8, 1858, mar- 
ried Elizabeth Erb, and lives in this town, 
and Mary A. born October 12, 1864. Wlien 
they came to Byron Township, in 1864, Mr. 
Crumb was drafted, and as he had no shelter 
for his family but a rough shanty, and noth- 
ing to cover his teams, his distress was great, 
but on examination he was pronounced un- 
fit for the service, and returned here. After 
her husband's death, she remained on the 
farm with those of her children that were 
unmarried, and carried on the business. On 
the 28th of February, 1880, she was united 
in marriage with John N. Wilson, who was 
born in Canada, September 1, 1833, who, 
when he was twenty-one years of age, came 
to " the States," and settled in Rock County, 
Wis., where he engaged in farming. From 
there he removed to Colorado, where he en- 
listed in Company G, First Colorado Regi- 
ment, and served to the end of the war. At 
the time of his marriage with Mrs. Crumb, 
he was a widower with two children : Claude 
S., born February 19, 1869, and John M., 
born April 2, 1872. In December, 1881, 
the family removed to Dodge Centei', this 
State, in order to send the daughter. JNIary, 
to school, but she being taken sick, they 
brought her back, as she was anxious to see 
her old home once more, and here she died, 
April 24, 1882. 
Zalmon M. Partridge is a native of Berk- 



shire County, Mass., born January 15, 1834. 
He remained at home with his parents 
among the hills of his native place, where 
he was reared until lie was fourteen years 
of age, when he commenced life for himself. 
In 1857 he came to Minnesota, locating in 
Dakota County, where he worked at farming 
and carpentering for about three years. He 
then removed to Virginia, where he fol- 
lowed the occupation of brick molder until 
August, 1S61, when he enlisted in Company 
H, Fourth Loyal Virginia Infantry, and 
served a little over three years, and ^vas 
mustered out in 1864. On the 2d day of 
November, 1864, he was married to Narcis- 
sus Samples in Kenawha County, W. Va. 
He remained in that State for two years, 
and then removed to Dakota County, Minn., 
where he resided until 1870, when he came 
to this county and settled on the 160 acres 
of land on section 36, of this township, that 
he had purchased the year previous, where 
he is now living. At the time of his coming 
here the land was without improvement, but 
he has now a fine residence and other build- 
ings, and has 115 acres of land under culti- 
vation. Mr. and Mrs. Partridge have been 
the parents of five children : William S., 
born in Virginia, July 28, 1865 ; John Henry, 
born March 18, 1867, died April 3, 1867, 
and is buried at Castle Rock, Minn. : 
Ulysses, born May 30, 1868 ; Philip S., born 
March 9, 1S70, and Mary V., born December 
14, 1875. 

Harvey Cummings was born in Bureau 
County, 111., September 20, 1834. He re- 
mained a resident of the Sucker State 
until 1870, when he removed to Farmington, 
Dakota County, IMinn., where he rented a 
farm and resided there until 1874, when he 
came to Waseca County, and purchased 160 
acres of land, the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 31, Byron Township. At that time he 
did not build any house on his land, but 
renting the adjoining farm, which had a 
house on it. cultivated both places. In 1876 
the grasshoppers came here in great nuni- 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



671 



bers, and besides devastating- the land, 
deposited their eggs in the ground in such 
numbers that Mr. Cummings, fearing that 
there would be no crops the next year, re- 
turned to Illinois, where he remained until 
1880, when, returning here, he built his resi- 
dence and other buildings, and has made 
this his home ever since. June 29, 1856, he 
was married to Mary Donaldson, and they 
have had a family of eleven children, all of 
whom are living, except one : Ada, born in 
Illinois, April 10, 185Y, married J.M. Crumb, 
m 1877, and lives a near neighbor ; Francis, 
born January 12, 1859 ; Lilian, born October 
14, 1860, married \yarren Ladd in 1882, and 
lives in Nebraska ; Viola, born March 16, 
1863, and died the following September; 
William Henry, born January 6, 1865 ; 
Charles Henry, born November 8, 1866; 
Clara, born October 31, 1868; Melvin Ells- 
worth, born in Dakota County, Minn., Feb- 
ruary 19, 1871 ; Rilla Mabel, born December 
27, 1872; Edna, born December 22, 1874, 
and Pearl Evalina, born in Illinois, October 
17, 1879. Mrs. Cummings is a native of 
Mason County, Ky., born April 2, 1834. 

Peter Bumgerten was boi-n in Prussia, 
June 27, 1832, and lived in his German home 
until 1857, when he came to the United 
States, settling in Wisconsin, where he was 
engaged in farming for twelve years. He 
then came to Waseca County, and purchas- 
ing eighty acres of land in St. Mary Town- 
ship, lived there for about six years, and 
then purchased 160 acres of land on section 
16, Byron Township, where he now lives. 
He has since added to his farm, 160 acres on 
section 20, and has now a fine place of 320 
acres well improved and well stocked, and 
has a fine frame barn 28x48 feet in size, 16 
feet studding, which was the first frame one 
in the town. When he came to this country 
he was almost penniless, but by energy, in- 
dustry and thrift, he has accumulated quite 
a fine property. In the early days of his 
struggle with the world he cradled and 
thrashed grain for twenty-five cents per day, 



and in the winter worked for his board. 
December 13, 1864, he was married to Mary 
Schultz, and they have had a family of eight 
children : Peter, born September 17, 1866 ; 
Lena, born December 5, 1867; Tena, May 5, 
1868 ; Michael, June 24, 1870 ; John, Feb- 
ruary 14, 1872; Meda, January 10, 1874; 
Maggie, August 14, 1882, and William, Jan- 
uary 20, 1885. 

Lawrence W. Concanon was born in Ire- 
land, July 20, 1827, and came to the United 
States in 1851. He landed in New Orleans, 
where he remained until the following 
spring, and then went up the river to the 
State of Illinois, where he was engaged in 
farming some twenty-four years. In 1877 
he came to Waseca County, locating in St. 
Mary Township, but three years later he 
removed to Byron Township, purchasing 
160 acres of land on section 19, where he 
has a good house, and a well improved fai-m, 
and a beautiful grove of cottonwood, maple, 
willow and box-elder trees. He does a gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising business and 
is one of the solid men of the town. He 
was united in marriage, April 11, 1856, 
with Bridget Broderick, and they have been 
the parents of eight children : Mary, born 
July 4, 1858; William, born October 11, 
1859 ; Catherine, born March 27, 1861, died 
March 18, 1868 ; Lawrence, born February 
15, 1863 ; Bridget, born April 9, 1865 ; Ellen, 
born May 11, 1867 ; Margeret, born Ma}'^ 
10, 1869, and Honora, born A])ril 9, 1871. 
His daughter INIargeret is a school-teacher 
and Honora is fitting herself for the same 
profession. Mr. Concanon being a great 
believer in education, has given his children 
every advantage he could in that direction. 

John Dinneen was born in Ireland, in 
June, 1828, and lived in the country of his 
birth until 1850, when he came to the United 
States. He remained in the State of New 
York, where he worked on the railroad for a 
time, and then purchased a farm, which he 
tilled until 1875, when he sold out there and 
came to Waseca Countv, and took a home- 



672 



HISTORY OF WASECA COITNTT. 



stead of 160 acres on section 20, where he is 
still living. He has purchased since then 
320 acres of land on sections 20 and 29, and 
has -a fine farm of 480 acres, where he car- 
ries on general farming and stock-raising, 
giving considerable attention to the breeding 
and rearing of fine cattle. He has a fine 
cottage and several convenient buildings in 
which to shelter his horses and cattle, and 
fine machinery sheds. In February, 1856, he 
was united in marriage witli Mary Burke. 
They have been the parents of nine chil- 
dren : Maggie, born December 25, 1856, who 
died June 1,1860 ; EUen, born June 15, 1858, 
who died June 1, 1860 ; James, born May 15, 
1862; Timothy, born January 7, 1864, died 
January 22, 1879; Daniel, born October 31, 
1865; John, born January 7, 1867; Nicho- 
las, born November 31, 1869 ; Mary E., born 
February 8, 1873, and Catharine, born 
March 23, 1876. Mr. Dinneen has held the 
office of chairman of the town supervisors 
one year, side supervisor three or four years, 
school director ten years and school treasurer 
ten years. 

Peter Obrine was born in Ireland, June 
29, 1837, and remained a resident of the 
Emerald Isle until 1863, when he came to 
the United States, and after a few months' 



residence in Wisconsin, in 1864 came to 
Waseca County, and settled on the north- 
east quarter of section 17, in this town, where 
he now lives. He was united in marriage 
with Mrs. Margaret Dwyer, nee Ryan, who 
was the widow of Thomas Dwyer, and had 
at the time of this last marriage two chil- 
dren : Alice, wife of Thomas Ryan, living 
in Waseca, and Honora, born April 10, 
1847, wife of Barney Agnew. Mr. and Mrs. 
Obrine have but two children living: Cath- 
erine, born November 25, 1859, now the 
wife of Emmons Smith, of Waseca City, 
and Mary, married November 22, 1868, to 
Frank Smith, but who, having separated 
from her husband by divorce, resides with 
her parents with her two children : George 
Edward, born August 26, 1881, and Maggie, 
born August 29, 1883. In the Avinter of 
1864, Mrs. Obrine started to visit a neigh- 
bor distant about four miles, and was caught 
in a snow storm and got lost on the ])rairie. 
She wandered around from Wednesday 
until Friday evening, when she arrived 
at her sister's house. She was so badly 
frozen and so exhausted that she could not 
get into the house without help. She lost 
about one-half of each one of her feet, and 
was injured otherwise. 




CHAPTER XXVI. 



ALTON TOWNSHIP. 



jLTON Township embnices all 
of congressional township 107, 
north of range 24 west, and con- 
tains the usual 23,040 acres of 
land. The surface is gently un- 
dulating, and exceedingly fertile 
is the soil, a deep, rich, warm 
loam, that, with intelligent cul- 
tui'e, is practically inexhaustible. 
This portion of the county is well 
drained, the Le Sueur Eiver trav- 
ersing sections 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 
and 25, besides slightly touching 
several others. Buffalo Lake, cov- 
ering nearly all of section 21, and 
parts of sections 16, 17, 20 and 28, with its 
affluent creeks and runs, make up the drain- 
age system of the central and northern part 
of the town. A large part of the township 
was originally covered with timber, much of 
which remains here to day. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Lucius Kyes, now of the city of Waseca, 
was probably the pioneer settler in this town- 
ship, coming to this part of the county dur- 
ing September, 1863, and taking up a claim 
on section 32, where he lived until 1871. He 
is now a resident of the city of Waseca, he 
having gone there from his farm, and is en- 
gaged in carpentering and building. He was 
born in Medina County, Ohio, in 1837. 

William Wager, in 1863, came to Waseca 
County and located in the town of Alton, on 
section 32, and when tiie land came into 
market bought it of the government, and re- 
sided there until 1873, when he removed to 
Freedom, where he now lives. 



Elijah Hills came at the same time and 
took a claim on what is now the northeast 
corner of Alma City, and when that village 
was laid out it received its name from his 
daughter. Alma HilJs. When these two 
families came here there were but two fam- 
ihes within a radius of six miles. Both these 
two families of Wager and Hills spent the 
winter in one cabin, 14x16 feet in size, and 
built of poles and bark taken from the old 
Indian tepees and some basswood boards. 

Morris Lamb came to this township in 
1864, and located on section 36, where his 
son, M. H. Lamb, now lives. Mr. Lamb was 
one of the unfortunate Union refugees, who, 
at the time of the breaking out of the war, 
had to leave their " sunny southern home " 
for their opinion's sake. He resided in Cum- 
berland County, Tenn., and on the 17th of 
June, 1861, was compelled to seek more con- 
genial quarters. He therefore packed all he 
could on three wagons and fled for the Ohio 
Eiver, his port of safety. He came to Min- 
nesota in 1861, and in 1864 to this county 
and township. He died here December 31, 
1869. He was a native of Vermont. A 
sketch of him is given in connection with his 
son in Chapter VIII. 

Morris H. Lamb, a native of Ohio, whose 
sketch is given in detail in connection with 
legislative representation in Chapter VIII, 
came to Alton Township in 1864 with his 
father and made a settlement, and still re- 
mains one of the leading citizens of Alton. 
Perhaps it would be as well to mention in 
this connection that Mr. Lamb is one of the 
largest dairy farmers in this county, and the 
first one to appreciate the merits of the 



673 



674 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



ensilage method of preparing fodder for win- 
tering his stock. He has a large barn, second 
only in size to that on the De Graff place in 
the township, 42x90 feet in size, capable of 
holding a large quantity of hay and three 
silos of a total capacity of 350 tons, besides 
his large herd of cattle. Mrs. Lamb is famed 
throughout the county as being one of the 
best, if not the best butter maker in the 
State. Their dairy produced in 1886 the 
enormous amount of 6,535 pounds of butter, 
which was sold for $1,601.35. The quality 
is unsurpassed and readilj' finds a market. 

Mathew Casey came here in 1864, and 
made a settlement on section 2, but shortly 
after removed to section 15, which latter 
piece of land he sold the following year to 
August Kruger, after breaking some of it, 
and removed to section 26. He after this 
removed to Janesville, and from there to 
Tracy, Minn. 

Patrick Hayden made a settlement here, 
on section 13, in 1864, and is still a resident 
of the township. 

A man of the name of Hert came to this 
settlement among those who located here in 
1864. He died here in the fall of 1885. 

In the spring of 1864, Jefferson Davis 
made a settlement on section 34, this town, 
where he lived for several years, and finally 
removed to Alma City, and put in a general 
stock of merchandise in what is now the Ked 
front store, which was called Jeff Davis' 
Headquarters. There he remained a few 
years, and then moved to Vivian, and re- 
mained about three years, thence to Amboy, 
where he now runs a hotel and livery. 

C. M. Campion, Avith his two sons, John 
and Patrick, myde a settlement in Alton, in 
1864. The elder Mr. Campion located upon 
the southeast quarter of section 13, where 
he resided until his death ; John took a claim 
on the northeast quarter of tlie same sec- 
tion, and Patrick on the northeast of section 
24. Both of the latter still reside on their 
original claims. 

Col. Chas. Long made a claim on sections 



15 and 22, in 1864, where he resided for a 
time, and then returned to Ohio, where he 
now lives. 

" Uncle Sam " Larabee came to this town- 
ship in the fall of 1864. He was the owner 
of the town site of Alma City, and is men- 
tioned in that connection. 

William Maloney, who drove the stage 
through this country in an early day, made 
a claim here in 1864. He is now a resident 
of Janesville. 

Terence Lilly, who had come to Waseca 
County from Illinois some years previous, in 
1864 removed to this township, and located 
on section 1, where he now lives. 

In 1864 M. L. Devereaux made a settle- 
ment on section 34, and resided in this town 
for some time and then removed to the north 
part of this State. Later he came back here 
and lived in Alton until his death. He was 
a member of one of the Minnesota regiments 
during the late civil war. 

H. A. Clark purchased a farm on section 
9, this town, in 1865, and proceeded to make 
a settlement as detailed below. He came to 
what is now Alton Township, in 1865, and 
bought the farm on section 9, where he now 
lives, of Willard & Barney, of Mankato, and 
made a settlement. He is a native of Oneida 
County, N. Y., born January 26, 1826. He 
is a son of Herman and Martha (Warner) 
Clark, of English and Welsh descent, but both 
natives of the State of Connecticut, and who 
had a family of thirteen children, eight of 
whom are still living. H. A. came west in 
an early day, settling in Walworth County, 
AVis., where he remained some twelve years 
engaged in farming and carpentering. From 
there he went to California, where he made 
a stay of three years, and then made the 
voyage to China, and after a stay there re- 
turned by way of England, having com- 
pletely circumnavigated the globe when he 
2ot back to his old home in Wisconsin. After 
a few years spent in roving about, he came 
to this township and has been here ever 
since, engaged in farming and stock-raising. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



675 



November 2, 1865, he was united in marriage 
Avith Harriet Bennett, who was born in New 
York, July 22, 1830. 

Timothy Colby came in the fall of 1864, 
and resided in this town until 1886, when he 
was removed by death. 

M. Powers made a settlement on section 
22, in 1865, and lived here until his death. 
He was an Irishman, who came to this place 
from Waterloo, Wis. He died here about 
1879. 

Patrick Farley, now a resident of St. 
Mary town, was one of the settlers of Alton 
in 1865. He resided here until 1886, when 
he removed to his present location. 

Kichard Haggerty, in the spring of 1865, 
came to this place from Dodge County, Wis. 
He was a native of County Mayo, Ireland, 
and died in this township, on his farm on 
section 12, in the latter part of 1882. His 
wife died in 1881. 

Michael Lang in 1865 settled on section 
1, on the place where he now lives. 

Michael Kearney in 1865 made a settle- 
ment on section 13. He afterward removed 
to Faribault, where he is now living. 

Charles Lockwood came to Waseca County 
in September, 1865, from Wisconsin and 
made a settlement on section 15, this town- 
ship, where he now resides. He is a native 
of Fairfield County, Conn., born December 2, 
1821:. He is the son of Ephi'aim and Mary 
(Hendi'ickson) Lockwood, natives of Connect 
icut, also, both of whom are now dead. 
They had raised a family of seven children : 
Sarah Ann, Aaron, Charles, Jane, Melvina, 
Frank and Samantha. When Charles was 
seventeen years, he commenced a seafaring 
life, which he followed for ten years, and 
then relinquished that, and moving to Dodge 
County, Wis., began farming, which vocation 
he has followed ever since. He made his 
home in the last named place for about ten 
years and then came here, as above men- 
tioned, where he is devoting his attention to 
general farmingand raising short-horn cattle, 
in which he is very successful. September 



3, 1855, he was united in marriage with 
Louisa Merrill, who was born in Erie Coun- 
ty, N. Y., May 9, 1832, and is a daughter of 
Samuel and Rachel Merrill, natives of New 
Hampshire and New York, who had raised 
a family of six children. Her parents had 
settled in Wisconsin in an early day, where 
they lived some twelve years, and came to 
Waseca County in 1859, where the mother 
died, January 28, 1875 ; the father resides 
with his daughter, Mrs. Lockwood. Mr. 
Lockwood has been a member of the town 
board for four years, and director of school 
district No. i)Q, for eight years, and is one 
of the prominent farmers of the township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood are the parents of 
four children : Mary, born June 10, 1857, 
who wedded Fred. Dickenson in 1878, and 
lives in Janesville Township ; Frances, born 
October 30, 1860, married to Frank Dicken- 
son, and lives in the village of Janesville; 
Aaron, born September 3, 1872, at home, and 
Laura, born August 11, 1874, also at home. 
Mr. Lockwood is an Independent in political 
matters and has taken a prominent part in 
public afifairs of the township. 

Terence McBride made a claim on section 
12, on coming here in 1865, where he still 
lives. 

Jeremiah Vaughn came from the neigh- 
borhood of Montello , Marquette County, 
Wis., in 1865, and settled on a farm on sec 
tion 14. This place he afterward sold to his 
brother, James A., who still owns it. Jere- 
miah removed to Rock Island, 111., and from 
there back to Montello, Marquette County, 
Wis., where he is now living. 

E. H. Skilling was also among the settlers 
of the year 1865. He was a native of Port- 
land, Me. When he came here, he made a 
claim on section 20. He is still a resident of 
the township. 

Patrick Murphy, William Stewart and L. 
C. Bonner were among the settlers of the 
year 1865. William Stewart located on sec- 
tion 15, where he lived many years, but is 
now in the western part of the State. L. C. 



676 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Bonner's place was a part of section 19 ; lie 
moved from here to Nebraska. Patrick 
Murphy is stiU a resident here. 

Emerson Gates came to Waseca County 
in 1866, and entered into mercantile pursuits 
at the village of Alma City, at first by him- 
self, but in a short time formed a i)artnership 
with W. E. Lockwood, and continued in busi- 
ness there until 1881, when he sold out to his 
partner and moved to his farm, on section 
32, forty acres of which he had purchased of 
E. G. Pierce, in 1874. He now has 160 acres 
of land, including some ten or eleven acres of 
timber, and his residence and barns, which are 
of a high class, are located about eighty rods 
west of Alma City. Emerson Gates is a na- 
tive of Erie County, N. Y., born February 
27, 1842. He is the son of Abel and IMary 
(Peabody) Gates, both natives of Massachu- 
setts. His father was a chairraaker by trade 
and followed that business all his life. The 
parents had a family of six children, three 
boys and three girls. Emerson began life for 
himself when nineteen years of age, by en- 
rolling himself among the nation's defenders, 
enlisting October 7, 1862, in Company A, 
One Hundredth New York Infantry, and 
participated in the battles of Yorktown, 
Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, and other's of the 
Chickahominy campaign, siege of Charles- 
ton, S. C, and of Fort Wagner, battles of 
Fort Walthal Junction, Drury's Bluff and 
siege of Petersburg, Va., and many others. He 
entered the service as a private, and was mus- 
tered out of it as sergeant, at Buffalo, N. Y., 
Januaiy 30, 1S65. He then came west to La 
Crosse, Wis., and the next year to this town- 
ship, as related. February 5, 1865, he was 
united in marriage with Emma J. Gray, a 
native of Erie County, N. Y., born February 
5, 1844. They have been the parents of six 
children : Caspar A., born November 18, 
1865, died in 1875 ; Clarence L., born De- 
cember 19, 1807, died in July, 1875 ; Edith, 
born February 20, 1876 ; Alice, born July 25, 
1878 ; Laura E., born November 22, 1880, 
and Cassius E., born April 26, 1886. 



George W. Dunham came here in 1866, 
and made a settlement on section 23, pui'- 
chasing the place of Daniel Shellock. He is 
still a resident of this place. He is a native 
of Fairfield County, Conn., born November 
24, 1837, and is the son of Peter and Maria 
(Peck) Dunhaui. His father was a hatter by 
trade, and died in 1839; the mother is living 
in Wisconsin with a daughter. They had a 
family of five children, viz: Mary, who mar- 
ried Joseph Hooker, but died at the age of 
twenty-two ; Bessie Maria, now Mrs. C. A. 
Lockwood, living in Wisconsin; Sarah Ann, 
now Mrs. Oliver Wood, of New Jersey ; Mar- 
tha, now Mrs. Ezra G. Wildman, and George 
W., the topic of this biography. When he was 
but nine years of age, on account of the 
death of his father he commenced struggling 
against the world, working out on a farm, 
and liking that business, has ever since fol- 
lowed it. September 23, 1857, he was united 
in marriage with Mary J. Lyon, who was 
born in Massachusetts in 1836. Her parents 
were natives of New England, but had come 
west to Wisconsin in an early day, where Mr. 
Dunham and she were married, he having 
moved there from his native State. They 
are the parents of six children, born as fol- 
lows : George Harrison, August 9, 1859 ; 
William D., February 22, 1862 ; Oliver, April 
18, 1864 ; Charles, March 4, 1866 ; Bessie J., 
January 21, 1870, and Nellie Mary, March 4, 
1882. All of them are living at home. Mr. 
Dunham is a Democrat in politics, and is a 
representative man of Alton Town. He has 
held the office of town assessor, supervisor 
of the town and clerk of the school district, 
and is the present town clerk. 

Terence Hammel first made his appearance 
in this county in 1864, but did not locate here 
until 1866, which latter is the date of his set- 
tlement. He is a native of Ireland, born in 
1845, and is the son of James and Alice 
(McCue) Hammel, who came to America in 
1850, remaining in New Jersey some eight 
years, then, in the year 1859, coming to Le 
Sueur County, Minn., where the mother died 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



677 



March 26, 1887, and where the father still 
lives. Terence commenced life for himself 
in Le Sueur County, at farming, which voca- 
tion he has always followed. June 2, 1865, 
he and Mar}' Smith were united in marriage. 
She was a native of Ireland, born in 1847, 
whose parents had settled in Le Sueur 
County in 1858, where they remained until 
their death. Mr. and Mrs. Hammel liave 
had a family of ten children, born as follows : 
William, January 17, 1868 ; James, August 
26, 1869; Mary, January 9, 1873; Alice, 
March 15, 1874 ; Rosella, December 25, 1876 ; 
Anna, July, 1878 ; Grace, December, 1880 ; 
Jennie, November, 1882 ; Gertrude, May, 
1883 ; Varonica, October, 1885. All are single 
and living at home. Mr. Hammel is the pres- 
ent town assessor, having been elected in 
1885. 

William Burke came to Waseca County in 
the year 1867, and settled on section 34, Al- 
ton Township, where he purchased eighty 
acres of William Lambert. He lives at pres- 
ent on section 23, in the same town, where 
he has a fine farm and modern style dwel- 
ling. He was born in Oneida County, N. 
Y., February 15, 1844. He is the son of 
Michael and Catherine (Kelly) Burke, both 
natives of County Boscommon, Ireland, both 
of whom are now dead. The}' raised a famil}' 
of ten children : Patrick, John, Mary, Mich- 
ael, William, Edward, Kate, Maggie, James 
and Timothy. At the age of seventeen, Will- 
iam Burke enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth 
Wisconsin Infantry. This was in 1861. He 
was discharged in June, 1862, on account of 
disability, but on recovering from his illness, 
he reenlisted in the same regiment and par- 
ticipated m all of the battles in wliich that 
regiment made such a glorious record, among 
which were : Shiloh, siege of Atlanta, Jones- 
boro, Dalton, Besaca and Corinth. He was 
finally discharged July 16, 1865. He then 
went to Wisconsin, where he remained but a 
short time, and then went South, but in 1867 
returned to the northern country and settled 
in Alton Township, where he has since re- 



mained. January 28, 1867, he was united in 
marriage with Joanna Quirk, a native of 
Middletown, Conn., born Nov. 25, 1845. Her 
parents were natives of Cork and West 
Meath, Ireland, who came from Connecticut 
to Wisconsin in an early day. Her father 
was a member of Company D, Seventeenth 
Wisconsin Infantry, and died in the hospital 
at St. Louis ; her mother died in 1846. Mr. 
and Mrs. Burke have been the parents of 
seven children, born as follows: Thomas, 
May 24, 1869 ; Anna, April 18, 1871 ; Will- 
iam, February 1, 1873 ; Mary, February 16, 
1875; Bose, July 9, 1877; Agnes, May 27, 
1879, and Josie, August 1, 1884. Mr. Burke 
was elected chairman of the board of super- 
visors and served three years ; in 1877 was 
chosen county commissioner and held that 
office for six years, and has held the positions 
of town assessor for one year, and director 
of school district No. 61, for eleven years. 
He is one of the leading prominent men of 
the town, and is a Democrat in politics. 

Patrick Markham came to Waseca County 
about the year 1867, and settled where he 
now lives, on section 34, Alton Township, 
where he carries on general farming and 
stock-raising. After these twenty years of 
good, steady work, Mr. Markhan has accumu- 
lated quite a competence, and can now re- 
tire from the more active part of farm life 
and enjoy the comforts of living, which his 
energy and ambition have honestly won him. 
Mr. Markham is a native of Ireland, born De- 
cember 25, 1805, and when but a young man 
came to America, first locating in Canada, 
and from there removed to the State of 
Massachusetts, where he spent a number of 
years. While there he was united in mar- 
riage with Dorcas Bliss, a native of Massa- 
chusetts, who died after about seventeen 
years of married life. In 1857 he was again 
united in marriage. He is the parent of three 
children : John, James and Jane. James died 
in 1882 ; Jane married John Murphy, and 
John married Nellie Dojde, and lives in this 
town. The family are members of the Catho- 



678 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



lie Church, and Mr. Markham is a Democrat 
in politics. 

M. S. Hopkins, and his wife, Ahna (Nor- 
ton) Hopkins, with their family came to the 
town of Alton in 1867, and settled on section 
25. They were natives of the State of New 
York and Vermont, who had emigrated to 
Ohio, from whence they had come here. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hoj^kins resided here until 
their death, which occurred, Mr. Hopkins, 
September 25, 1871, and Mrs. Hopkins, the 
3d of June, 1882. Both are buried at Ped- 
dler's Grove. They were the parents of six 
cliildren : George R., born in Summit County, 
Ohio, December 27, 1840, died December 1-1-, 
1863 ; Mary E., born in the same place, Sep- 
tember 9, 18-12, who married Albert Chapel 
about 186B, and has three children; they live 
at Farmington this State : Helen L., born in 
the same place, January' 30, 1844, living in 
Alton Township, and is unmarried ; H. M. 
whose sketch follows this ; Gertrude, born in 
Ohio also, October 10, 1854, married J. lian- 
daU in 1875, and lives in Minneapolis, where 
he is a machinist ; and Sarah E., born in Ohio. 
August 9, 1857. 

H. M. Hopkins, whose father's sketch is 
given above, was born in Summit County, 
Ohio, November 15, 1845, and came to this 
county with the family in 1866. He has fol- 
lowed the vocation of farmer ever since he 
was old enough to do anything in that line, 
and understands it thoroughly in all its 
branches. Since his father's death he has 
been the main one to carry on the farm, and 
is the chief maintenance of his two unmar- 
ried sisters and a sister of his mother, who 
lives with them. He is one of the represen- 
tative men of tlie township, and has held the 
office of town clerk therein. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics. 

Patrick Seymour came to the county of 
Waseca in 1856, and is therefore one of the 
oldest of settlers. He was born in Ireland, 
Marcii 20, 1840, and is the son of Patrick and 
Joanna (Ryan) Seymour, who had a family 
of six children, two boys and four girls. His 



parents died in the old country, and Pat- 
rick came to this country in early youth, 
first settling in New Jersey, where he 
remained about a year, and then came west, 
spending three years in Chicago, and then 
coming to this county, as above stated, where 
he has since remamed. He was married to 
Mary Hederman, a native of New York, 
born in 1847, by whom he has had six chil- 
dren, all of whom are at home with their par- 
ents. Mr. Seymour is one of the soUd farm- 
ers of this section of the county, having a 
fine farm on section 13, where he is residing. 

At an early day. Dr. Morrison located at 
Peddler's Grove. He was an eclectic physi- 
cian. 

The lands now embraced within the limits 
of Alton Township were, until 1863, a part of 
the "Winnebago agency, and on their being- 
thrown open to settlement, or shortly after, 
the people from all parts of the country 
flocked in and took up claims. The number 
in 1864 and 1865 probablj'^ equaled the 
entire population of the township at present, 
hence it is imposible to give all of the early 
settlers. 

Among others who came here early, not 
mentioned before, were : W. B. Morris, George 
Watson. C. G. Pride, B. F. Crump, O. P. Sat- 
terlee. 

BIOGKAPHICAL. 

The annals of Alton would be incomplete 
witliout some mention being made of other 
citizens, who have been so largely instru- 
mental in developing and building up this 
part of the countr}^, so sketches of some of 
them are inserted here. 

Andrew De Graff is a native of Schen- 
ectady County, N. Y., and was born October 
21, 1811. He is the son of Nicholas and 
Nellie (Thomas) De Graff, who were botli 
natives of the Empire State, the father be- 
ing engaged in farming there until called to 
his reward. Since 1832 Andrew De Graff 
has been more or less engaged in the con- 
struction of railroads, both in the eastern, 
middle and western States. In 1857 he had 



i 



HISTOKY OF WASKCA COUNTY. 



681 



a contract to build the Winona & St. Peter 
Railroad, and had commenced operations 
when the great financial panic of that year 
came on and swept like a tidal wave over 
the land, and compelled the cessation of all 
work of that kind. Hardly had the financial 
crisis spent its force when Col. De Graff 
again commenced work and fini.s]ied it, and 
since that time he has carried on that busi- 
ness with his late son, Charles A. De Graff. 
Col. De Graff married Rachel Pomeroy, who 
was a native of Massachusetts. They were 
the parents of thi'ee children : Minnie, now 
Mrs. John A. Berkey, living in St. Paul, 
where her husband is engaged in mercantile 
and banking business ; Frankie, a single 
man who died in 1875, at the age of twenty- 
one years, living at home with his parents at 
the time of his death, and Charles A., whose 
sketch follows this. Col. De Graff, by the 
energy of his nature and the ability with 
which he is gifted, has raised himself until 
he now stands one of the most prominent 
figures in the historj' of railroad construction 
and financial undertakings in this great re- 
public. 

Charles A. De Graff (deceased) was the 
son of Col. Andrew and Rachel (Pomeroy) 
De Graff, and first saw the light in Alexan- 
der, N. Y., l^ovember 20, 184r3, and died at 
St. Paul, July 20, 1887. He was truly one 
of the representative men of the United 
States. When but a boy he came with his 
father to Minnesota, and shortly after they 
engaged in railroad construction, which re- 
sulted in tlie accumulation of a large and 
handsome fortune. In 1864 he served in the 
Union army for the salvation of our country. 
Like many other wealthy men throughout 
the Union, he became fascinated with the 
breeding problem, and the amusement of his 
life was his splendid Lake Elysian stock 
farm. Here he loved to retire from the 
busy hum of commerce, and surrounded by 
his champion herd of Jerseys, or in the pad- 
docks of his excellently bred trotters, spend 
many peaceful days. Mr. De Graff was_ a 

39 



member of the National Short-Horn Associa- 
tion of America, a director of the Southern 
Minnesota fair, a director in the Breeders' 
Association of Trotting and Pacing Horses, 
and at one time vice-president and member of 
the board of managers of the State Agricul- 
tural Society. He was also a member of 
the Winona Commandery of Knights Tem- 
plar. His large circle of friends will ever 
keep his memory green, as a man of the 
highest personal character, a generous and 
faithful friend, an honorable and briUiant 
business man, and one who was always first 
and foremost in every good work and deed. 

In regard to Mr. De Graff's place, it is 
unsurpassed by any in the United States, 
and the buildings which have been erected 
by Mr. De Graff 's untiring ambition gives 
it the appearance of a little town of a couple 
of hundred inhabitants. The hundreds of 
beautiful trees which have been set out by 
his own hands afford abundance of shade, 
and make it the handsomest grove in the 
Northwest. The barns which stand on the 
place are enormous, one of them being 
60x120 feet, and several more nearly as 
large ; two fine and handsome tenement 
houses, and many buildings which are too 
numerous to mention. The farm, which lies 
in one body, covers 2,400 acres of land. It 
numbers from 125 to 160 head of horses, a 
great many of which are imported stock, and 
their record competes with any in the 
Northwest, Mr. De Graff paying for some 
as high as $3,000 apiece. The herd of cattle 
which are kept within the boundaries of this 
large farm numbers about two or three hun- 
dred of the finest Jersey and short-horn 
stock which can be produced. 

The following beautiful tribute to the 
memory of Charles A. De Graff, written by 
Bishop Whipple, sums up the lovable traits 
in the character of his deceased friend, and 
fitiingly closest his eulogium upon the dead : 

"May I bring a few fiowers to lay on the 
new-made grave of our friend Charles De 
Graff. I have known him almost a quarter 



682 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



of a century, and loved him as one of the 
truest friends. Others can speak better than 
I of his business life — of the benefits he 
conferred on the im.poverished wheat-grow- 
ers by showing them the marvelous adapta 
tion of our fair State to the growth of stock. 
He was the first to introduce the Kentucky 
blue grass, and from the day he left railway 
i)uilding he was a model farmer and stock- 
Iji'ceder. I loved him for the tender sym- 
pathy which ^vas always given in sorrow. 
His heart was as gentle as a woman's and 
yet strong and manly, true as steel. I never 
knew one more ready to respond to the calls 
of duty. In every walk of life he had 
learned ' to do justly and to love mercy.' 
As a son, a brother, a friend, he loved with 
his whole heart. I never knew a son with 
deeper filial love. It was his devotion to his 
mother which first won my admiration and 
regard. No lover ever watched and waited 
to anticipate its loved one's unspoken wishes 
more than he his father's. He knew men. 
His friends were of the best. With him it 
Avas a law, 'If he cheats me once, he is 
to blame; if he cheats me twice, I am to 
blame.' When I saw him on his beautiful 
farm, looking so lovingly into the faces of 
his dumb friends, I thought of Webster's 
advice to John Taylor: 'Look into their 
large eyes and kindly faces and be an honest 
man.' " 

E. F. Nettleton was bom in Oneida 
County, N. Y., July 7, 1830, and is the son 
of Lemon and Nancy (Rose) Nettleton. The 
former of these was a farmer and attained 
the advanced age of eighty-seven years 
before he died; his wife died at the age of 
eighty-three. They had a family of fifteen 
children, seven boys and eight girls. In 
18.57 E. F. Nettleton c^ame to Minnesota and 
settled in Le Sueur County, where he en- 
gaged in farming. In August, 1862, he en- 
listed in Company G, Tenth Minnesota In- 
fantry, and participated in all the hardships 
and battles with that famous regiment ; was 
in the battles of Tupelo and Spanish Fort, 



and served until August 19, 1865, when he 
was discharged and returned to Le Sueur 
County, where he lived until 1874, when he 
removed to tliis town and county. When 
he first returned he was under the physi- 
cian's hands for some time for a sunstroke 
received in the army. lie lives on section 
32, whei'e he settled on first coming here. 
March 29, 18.51, he was united in the holy 
bonds of matrimony with Elizabeth Stone, 
who was born in New York State, October 
19, 1832. They have been the parents of 
four children : William, born November 29, 
1854; Theron S., born in April, 1858, mar- 
ried Mary Gates, and is a harness maker in 
Alma City ; George, born March 19, 1859, 
married Emma Hodge and is a professor 
of penmanship in St. Louis ; Luella, born in 
September, 1850, married Joel Southwick, a 
carpenter of Alma City. 

William Thompson is one of the old settlers 
of Blue Earth County, this State, his parents 
locating in 1855 about a mile from what is 
now Garden City, when there was not a 
house in that village. Lie is a native of 
Waukesha County, Wis., born October 1(», 
1844, and is the son of William R. and Anna 
(Brown) Thompson, natives of New York 
and Vermont, who had come west to Wis- 
consin in 1844, and in 1855 to this State, as 
above stated, where they remained until 
tiieir deaths. When William was but thir- 
teen years of age, he commenced work on 
his father's farm, and has always followed 
farming. September 26, 1867, he was united 
in marriage with Henrietta Killmer, a native 
of Upper Canada, born December 3, 1846. 
Her parents were also natives of Canada, who 
came to Wisconsin in 1854, and remained 
there ten years, then moved to Blue Earth 
County, Minn., where her mother died in 
1866,. the father lieing still a resident there. 
They had a family of eight children in their 
family. Mr. and Mrs. Thomi)son are the 
parents of nine children, born as follows : 
William Freeman, May 2, 1868 ; John C. 
March 19, 1871; Lois Ann. May 2.3, 1874; 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



683 



George Curtis, November 17, 1873 ; James 
R., November 20, 1875 ; Raymond, January 
21, 1877 ; Lee Coleman, February 1, 1879 ; 
Frank Ellis, January 18, 1881, and Jevena 
Pearl, February 12, 1885. 

Andrew Ilogan is a native of Ireland, 
born in 1835, and came to the United States 
in the 3'ear 1856, and for some nine months 
remained in New York City, and then 
proceeded to Ohio, but in 1S58 came to 
Waseca County and settled on section 29, 
of Janesville Township, where he lived until 
1874, and tlien removed to section 3, this 
town, wiiere he still lives. In tlie year 
1S60 he was married to Mary Hander- 
han, a native of the Emerald Isle. They are 
the parents of six children, three boys and 
three girls. One of the latter is married to 
Patrick Mulcahy, a farmer of Alton Town- 
ship ; the rest live at home with their parents. 

James A. Yaughan was born in Ii'eland 
in 1831, and is the son of Edward and Mary 
Yaughan, who were farmers in the old coun- 
try and who had a family of fourteen children, 
seven of whom are dead. The parents came 
to the United States in 1838, bringing their 
family with them, and for some three years 
remained in New York City. From there 
they moved to McHenry County, 111., where 
they resided until called away by death, the 
mother in 1861. the father in 1866. James 
A. Yaughan came to "Waseca County in 
1873, and settled on section 14, Alton Town- 
ship, where he still lives, carrying on his 
farming pursuits. He is a Democrat in 
politics, but seeks no public preferment. In 
1859 he was united in the holy bonds of 
marriage with Catherine O'Locklin, daugh- 
ter of John and Honora (Clarj') O'Locklin, 
who was born July 26, 1843, in Ireland. 
Her parents came to this country in 1863, 
but both are now dead. Mr. and Mrs. 
Yaughan are the parents of eight children : 
Hannah, James, John, Mary Jane, Agnes, 
Eddie, Sylvester and Katie. 

ORGANIC. 

Alton, until the spring of 1863 a portion 



of the Winnebago Indian agency, was or- 
ganized in May, 1864, as a part of the town 
of Freedom. It remained thus until April 
27, 1866, when it was ordered by the board 
of county commissioners that it be organized 
as a separate civil township, under the name 
of Alton, under the township organization 
act of the State, approved February 21, 1860. 
The first election was held at the house of 
M. L. Devercaux. 



Alma G'ity. 



In June, 1865, as the townships of Alton 
and Freedom filled up with an enterprising- 
class of agriculturists. S. M. Larabee pro- 
ceeded to lay out a town site with the assis- 
tance of S. E. Stel)bings, as surveyor, to 
which he gave the name of Alma Cit^y. 

■On this site he put up a hotel known then 
as the Larabee House. " Uncle Sam " and 
his wife, " Aunt Patty " Larabee, kept this 
hotel for many years. He was rather an 
eccentric genius, and was somewhat deaf, but 
it is said of him that he could always hear 
even a whisper, if it concerned money or a 
horse trade. " Aunt Patty " was killed in 
1885 by being thrown out of a buggy; "Uncle 
Sam" resides with a daughter in Blue Earth 
County. 

In the fall of 1865 Chase tfe Ames, of 
Rochester, Minn., erected the first store 
building here. The people of this vicinity 
gave them a lot, where now the store of 
Smith & Hofeld stands, on which they put 
up the building. In this they opened up a 
stock of general merchandise. After re- 
maining about a year the stock was removed 
to Peddler's Grove. 

Mary Ann Johnson, about the same time, 
opened up a small stock of the same char- 
actei'. 

A. H. Davis was the next merchant, open- 
ing in what is now the red front building, 
in the spring of 1866. 

In the same spring O. P. Smith opened a 
stock of general merchandise in the store 



684: 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtJNTT. 



building now occupied by Smith & Hofeld. 

Rineerson & Morton were the first black- 
smiths in tlie village of Alma City, opening 
their smithy in the latter part of 1865. 

The business of this thriving little burg is 
now represented 1)V the following firms: 
Smith & Hofeld, Gates, Crump & Co. and 
Lau Bros, in general merchandise ; D. D. 
Smith, drugs ; Baldwin Bros., furniture ; 
Theron S. Nettleton, harness; D.J. Bickford 
and Iver Moen, blacksmiths ; J. Benjamin 
and "Warren Gates, wagon-makers. Tlie 
Runnells House, formerly the Larabee House, 
is now kept by Thomas Donahue. 

George Hofeld was born in Germany, 
March 4, 1838, and resided in that country 
until he had finished his education. In 1854 
he came to tlie United States and remained 
until fall in the State of Ohio, and then 
moved to Indiana. In 1856 he removed to 
Michigan, and remained there until 1863, 
when he first came to Minnesota. He re- 
turned to Indiana that fall, but in 1865 came 
to this county, and purchased a farm in 
Freedom Township in tlie month of June, 
1866, but did not settle down on it until 
August, 1868. He resided on it until the fall 
of 1877, when he sold his place and moved 
to Alma City, where, January 7, 1878, he 
entered into the mercantile trade, where he 
now has a general stock of merchandise. He 
taught school for thirteen winters in Indiana, 
Michigan and Minnesota, working at farm 
work during the summers of those years. He 
has held the offices of chairman of town 
board five years ; town assesscjr, two years ; 
town clerk, two years ; notary public, eight 
years, and postmaster, three years, the last 
two of which he holds now. He wasmari'ied 
July 5, 1868, in Michigan, to Anna Huff. 
They are the parents of five children: Henry, 
born May 7, 1869; Carl, April 24, 1870; 
Frank, January 21, 1872, died September 26, 
1874; Maud, August 24, 1877, and Edna, 
September 2, 1884. 

Warren Gates came to Waseca County in 
the fall of 1865, locating at Alma City, and is 



the oldest residentof that place. He engaged 
in the wagon-making business on first coming 
here, and still continues in thatline. In 1869 
and 1870 he was engaged in the manufacture 
of pumps here, but closed out that branch of 
his business. He is a native of Bennington 
County, Vt., born January 31, 1828, and is 
the son of Abel and Mary (Peabody) Gates. 
Tlie father was a cabinet-maker by trade, 
and died in 1872, the mother died in 1880. 
They had a family of six children. Warren 
beo'an the business of wagon-making- in 1849, 
in Erie County, N. V., where he remained 
many years, and came to La Ci-osse, Wis., 
in the spring of 1864, where he engaged in 
farming. He remained there until he came 
to this county, as already mentioned. April 
25, 1852, he was united in nuirriage with 
Helen M. Canfield, who was born January 
1, 1832, in Erie County, N. Y. They have 
had a family of six children : Lawrence E., 
who married in 1882, and is engaged in the 
mercantile business at Elgin, Minn.; Mary, 
the wife of T. S. Nettleton, married in 1877, 
and Carrie, Susan, Blanche and Emma, all 
single and living at home. During the 
years 1870 to 1873, inclusive, Mr. Gates car- 
ried the mail from this place to Janesville. 

The mill at Alma Cit}' is in the hands of a 
stock company composed of Kelsey Curtis, J. 
D. Morris E. S. Taylor, John Markham, John 
Wilkinson and Frank R. Field. Mr. Field has 
the general management and superintendency 
of the mill, which turns out an excellent quality 
of flour, and is noted throughout this part of 
the country. The mill was built by John T. 
Fisher in 1875, and after running it for some 
time he sold it to W. H. Ketzback, and for 
nine years he ran it, part of the time in com- 
pany with otliers, among whom were Frank 
Field and Smith it Hofekl. In February, 
1886, the present company was formed and 
have run it ever since. The mill is well 
eijuipped with all modern machinery, has 
three sets of stones, five sets of rollers, excel- 
lent engine, and all necessary adjuncts that 
go to make up a first-class mill. It has a 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



685 



capacity of turning out some seventy-five 
barrels of excellent Hour per day. 

Frank Field was born in Rockford, 111., 
November 1, 1855, and is the son of John H. 
and Rosie Woodberry. His father was 
born in North Bridgewater, Mass., March 19, 
1834. His mother was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania. They came west in 1853, first stop" 
ping in Illinois, from there to Mower County' 
this State, and then to Rochester, Olmsted 
County, were the next moves. June 6, 1864, 
they came to this county and settled in 
Freedom Township, where they still reside. 
They had a family of thirteen children, six 
boys and seven girls, four of whom are now 
dead. Their son Frank, in 1876, entered the 
Banner mill at Janesville, where he got his 
first insight in the milling business, and re" 
mained there one winter. A short time was 
spent in the same line in Madelia, and then he 
came to Alma City and entered the employ- 
ment of W. H. Ketzeback & Co., who were 
running the mill, and remained with them 
two years. He then engaged with his 
brother under the firm name of Field Bros, 
in the hardware business in the same place. 
Eighteen months later he formed a partner- 
ship with William Altenburg to carry on the 
same line of trade, and still continues a mem- 
ber of that firm. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Field 
was instrumental in forming the stock com- 
pany who purchased the mill of Smith & 
Hofeld and are running it as mentioned above. 
In the year 1880 Frank Field and Martha A. 
Boston were united in marriage. She is a 
native of Racine County, Wis., born Febru- 
ary 23, 1850. 

D. P; Young was born in Massachusetts, 
May 11, 1838. In 1850 he went with the 
family to Erie County, N. Y., where he 
remained several years, and then removed 
to Dodge County, Wis. In 1864 he came to 
this county, and located in Freedom Town- 
ship, among the first settlers in that part of 
Waseca County. He took up farm there, 
and followed the vocation of farmer until 
1875, when he removed to Alma City, where, 



in company with Fisher and Wilkinson, he 
built the flouring mill and ran it for about 
two years and then disposed of it. He then 
went into partnership with W. E. Lockwood, 
in the mercantile business and has fol- 
lowed that ever since. May 27, 1858 he was 
united in marriage with Ruth Lockwood, 
daughter of Hezekiah and Caroline Lock- 
wood, who was born October 8, 1838. They 
have been the parents of two children : 
William, born in 1861, now an attorney of 
Mankato, who attended the law school at 
Iowa City, Iowa, and was admitted to the 
bar at Waseca when but twenty-one years 
of age. He is married to Nettie Shingler, 
and has one child, John Paul. The other 
son, Arthur Young, was born in 1871. Mr. 
Y'oung's father was a native of Massachu- 
setts, and a carpenter by trade, but now 
dead ; his mother, who is living with him, 
was born in Connecticut. 

C. W . Remington came to Waseca County 
in 1882, from Blue Earth County, where he 
had been living for some years, and settled 
on a farm in Freedom Township, where he 
remained until 1886, when he removed to 
Alma City, where he now resides. He was 
born in Vermont, December 11, 1828, and is 
the son of William and Beersheba (Packard) 
Remington, natives of Massachusetts and 
Vermont. His father was a large manu- 
facturer of shoes in New England. C. W. 
is a carpenter and joiner by trade, although 
he no longer follows it, but in his time had 
few superiors in that line of business, as 
many of the finest edifices in New England 
can attest, he having been employed in their 
erection. For the past eighteen or twenty 
years Mr. Remington has given his atten- 
tion to the improvement of horses in this 
and adjoining counties, and is now the owner 
of three of the best imjiorted Norman Per- 
cheron horses in this section of the country : 
Victor Hugo, Blackhawk and Success. Mr. 
Remington's wife, Mary Jane (Wright) 
Remington, in a native of the State of New 
York. They have two children : Charles I., 



686 



HISTORY OF WASECA CODNTT. 



mentioned elsewhere, and Emma, now Mrs. 
Daniel Mandigo, of Freedom. 

Dr. C. I. Remington was born in Buffalo, 
N. Y.,-May 7. 1853, and is the son of C. W. 
and Mary Jane (Wright) Eemington, both 
natives of the Empire State. Dr. Reming- 
ton received a classical education in his 
3'outh, and in 1876 commenced the study of 
medicine with Dr. E. J. Davis, of Mankato, 
with whom he remained three years, aftei- 
which he attended lectures at the medical 
college at Keokuk, Iowa, for two years, 
and finding himself well fitted for the pro- 
fession, in 1879 commenced practice at Alma 
City, where he has since remained. Febru- 
ary 14, 1882, he was united in marriage with 
Lury Clark, a daughter of Archibald and 
Margeret Clark, born in Winona County, 
Minn., October 6, 1860. Her parents are 
Scotch, the mother having been born in 
Paisley, Scotland, the father being of Scot- 
tish descent also. The latter was a hard- 
ware merchant and farmer until his death 
in 1866, he falling from a load of hay and 
striking a jjitchfork that was standing 
against the load, resulting fatally. Dr. and 
Mrs. Remington are the happy parents of 
one child, Everett C, born December 18, 
1882. The Doctor has a large and increas- 
ing practice, and is ranked high in his 
chosen profession. 

Milo Baldwin was born in Litchfield 
Count}^ Conn., March 22, 1818, and is the 
son of John and Lucy (Strong) Baldwin, both 
natives of the same State. Thev were of 
English origin, and had but two children. 
Flora and Milo, the former born in 1829, and 
married in 1852 to W. W. Ramsey, now of 
Lake Benton, this State. When Milo had 
reached his majority, he engaged in the 
painting business in New York, and while 
there was united in marriage with Rosetta 
AV right, September 12, 1839, who was a 
native of New York, born February 26. 1816. 
They had a family of three children : Mai-y 
Eliza, born July 3, 1810, married to Abram 
T. Borden, a merchant ; John W., born Jan- 



uary 10, 1842, who enlisted March 1861, in 
Company D, Eighth Regiment Volunteer 
Infantry, and died of wounds received at 
Port Hudson, July 31, 1863; and George 
W., born June 28, 1843, who enlisted inCom- 
panjr G, Fifth Infantry, and is now a resident 
of Washington Territory'. Mr. Milo Baldwin 
was engaged in the painting business but a 
short time, when he went to Medina County, 
Ohio, where he followed farming for six 
years, and then removed to Indiana, where 
he was engaged both in farming and cabi- 
net-making. His first wife dying, he was mar- 
ried to his second wife, Joanna Taylor, May 
27, 1849. She was born April 27, 1824. 
They were the parents of four children : 
Lucy, who married John Rush, a farmer of 
Janesville, October 9, 1870; WiUiam, who is 
the Methodist minister at Mapleton, Minn., 
having begun his ministry in 1883, and who 
married Mary Cooley in 1870, who died in 
1874, and in 1882 William married Abbie 
Dunham, who was born in Winnebago City, 
this State, August 11, 1861 ; Orlo, who was 
born May 11, 1856, now in the mill at Alma 
City, and Robert, an insurance agent, born 
May 22, 1858. Mrs. Baldwin died February 
20, 1860. Mr. Baldwin's third wife was 
Mrs. Amy L. Moore, who was born in New 
York State, Decemljer 11, 1822, and who 
was a widow with three children, as follows : 
Eber L., born in 1849, married to Mary May- 
nard, now at Motley, Minn. ; George W., 
born March 23, 1844, enlisted in 1861 in 
Company D, Tenth Wisconsin Infantry, and 
died in the service March, 25, 1862 ; and 
Olivia v., born September 27, 1845, married 
to George Smith in September 1865, and 
now living at Germania, this State. Mr. and 
Mrs. Baldwin have had by the present mar- 
riage three children : Elmore Y., born De- 
cember 1, 1862 ; Milton J., born January 1, 
1865, and married January 1, 1886, to 
Martha Larrabee, who was born in Minne- 
sota, August 16, 1864, and is engaged in bus- 
iness in Alma City, and Homer E., born 
May 24, 1861. Mr. Milo Baldwin is a Pro- 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



681 



hibitionist in politics, and is a leading mem- 
ber of the United Brethren Church, of Alma 
City. 

Christopher Mertens, Esq., is a native of 
South Germany, born February 13, 1843. 
He came to the United States in 1867, and 
settled in Dunkirlc, N. Y., where he was en- 
gasred in the manufacture of boots and shoes 
for about one year, and then removed to 
Two Rivers, Wis., where he followed the 
same line of trade. Fi'om there, two years 
later, he removed to the vicinity of Algona, 
Kossuth County, Iowa, where he engaged in 
farming, and remained there six years. He 
then came to Minnesota, and locating in Blue 
Earth Countj% engaged in the insurance 
business. In 1878 he removed to Alma 
City, where he now resides. He was elected 
justice of the peace shortly after coming here 
and has held the same ever since. In addi- 
tion to his official duties, he is the principal 
insurance and collection agent in this part of 
the country. He was united in marriage 
with Genevieve Geiger, July 16, 1868. They 
have been the parents of five children : John, 
born July 18, 1869 ; Elizabeth, born August 
20, 1871, died February 20, 1872 ; Clara, born 
July 17, 1873 ; Emma, born March 11, 187.5 ; 
Louise, born February 17, 1877. He repre- 
sents some of the best insurance companies 
in the United States, including the ^tna, of 
Hartford, Conn.; Phoenix, of Hartford; State, 
of Des Moines, Iowa, and Live Stock, of St. 
Paul. He belongs to -the collection agencies 
of Dunn, of St. Paul, Wilbur, of Chicago, 
and Northwestern, of Crookston. 

William Orcutt, veterinary surgeon, was 
born in Ohio, March 17, 1840, and is the son 
of Caleb and Helen Orcutt. He commenced 
to do business for himself at the early age of 
twelve years, his first venture being to buy 
two yoke of oxen, paying for one and get- 
ting time on the other, and commenced team- 
ing, Avhich he followed for about three years. 
He was then variously employed until June 
29, 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, 
Second Minnesota Infantry, and served three 



years, being always with the company ex- 
cept three months in the hospital, he having 
been wounded. He was mustered out of the 
service in June, 1864, and returned to Dodge 
County, Minn., where he had been living. 
In the fall of that year he was married to 
Sophia Donaldson, by whom he had two 
children : Lula, born September 25, 1865, 
and James, born December 19, 1867. Sep- 
tember 26, 1865, he removed to this county 
and made a claim on a part of section 12, 
Freedom, where he now owns about 150 
acres of good, well-improved land. In 1873 
his wife died, and in 1877 he gave up farm- 
ing and moved to a fine residence he owns 
in Alma City, where he practices as a vet- 
erinary surgeon. June 15, 1875, he was mar- 
ried to Louise Connor, and they have had 
born to them two children : Dora Belle, born 
April 31, 1876, and Anna Louise, born May 
1, 1878. 

Iver A. Moen is a native of Norway, and 
immigrated to the United States in 1866, 
and settled in Dane County, Wis., where he 
was engaged for about nine years in farming. 
He then commenced to learn the blacksmith 
trade, serving there as apprentice for two 
years and then came to Mankato, Minn., 
where he finished his trade. From there he 
moved to Medo, Blue Earth County, where 
he opened a blacksmith shop, and remained 
there three years. In August, 1881, he 
moved to Alma City, where he is at the 
present. He has an excellent trade, as he is 
a good mechanic, and has all the work he can 
attend to. He owns his shop, which is well 
supplied with tools, and has a nice comforta- 
ble dwelling. July 9, 1879, he was married 
to Johanna Lee, and they have had four chil- 
dren : Maritte, born June 13, 1880 ; George 
Elmer, May 30, 1882 ; Benedict, March 25, 
1884, and Stephen Leon, February 11, 18S6. 

Wilton Lodge, No. 24, Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons, is one of the oldest in 
the State. It was organized at Wilton, 
in the upper story of the mill of John 
C. Ide, under dispensation June 1, 1857. 



HISTOEY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



with the following officers : Jesse I. Stew- 
art, W. M.; John C. Ide, S. W.; H. P. 
Norton, J. W.; E. A. Rice, T.; H. S. Ed- 
raondson, S.; T. L. Paige, S. D.; Buel Welch, 
J. D., and John Magill, tyler. ■ The charter 
was granted to this lodge, and a number as- 
signed it, January 8, 1858, when the follow- 
ing brethren were elected to the respective 
offices and duly installed : John C. Ide, W. 
M.; Thomas Paige, S. W.; Euel Welch, J. 
W.; P. C. Bailey, T.; H. P. West, S.; J. C. 
Price, S. D., and D. D. Stevens, tyler. Vov 
man}' years this was one of the most pi-os- 
perous lodges in this part of the State, and 
when the lodge in Owatonna w'as about 
to be organized. Dr. Morehouse and others 
of that city came over to Wilton to he made 
Masons, that they might have enough to 
form their lodge. After the decline of Wil- 
ton, and the removal of so many of the 
brethren of the "mystic tie" to Waseca, 
Janesville and Alma City, the lodge declined 
until November 21, 1883, when, under a dis- 
pensation signed by C. H. Benton, G. M. 
and A. T. C. Pierson, G. S., the lodge was 
removed to Alma Citj^and received new ac- 
cessions to its membership and is once more 
in flourishing condition. The following is 
a list of the present officers : George Hofeld, 
W. M.; F. R. Field, S. W.; W. E. Lockwood, 
J. W.: D. D. Smith, S.; F. D. Seaman, T.; 
John Wagoner, S. D.; William Orcutt, J. D.; 
Samuel Hodgkins, S. S.; Fred. Dow, J. S., 



and D. J. Bickford, tyler. They have a very 
neat hall, where they hold their meetings, 
and the members all take an interest in the 
masonic work. 

There is but one church organization 
in the village, and that is of the United 
Brethren. It was in.stituted in the fall of 
1864 by Rev. Joel Steiner, who was a very 
able and energetic nuin and who proba- 
bly did more for the upbuilding of this 
church than any other man. He was pastor 
for the first two 3'ears, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Daniel Reed, who served two 
years ; Rev. Joel Steiner again served two 
years, then Rev. Mr. Nield for one year, 
and Rev. O. O. Rundle for two years, to be 
again succeeded by Rev. Joel Steiner. Rev. 
E. Clow, one year; Rev. Samuel Kemerer, 
one year ; Rev. J. M. Tresenriter, one year ; 
Rev. E. Clow, two years ; Rev. H. J. Hind- 
man, one year ; Rev. Joel Steiner, one year ; 
Rev. Mr. Kerr, one year ; Rev. S. George, 
one 3' ear ; Rev. E. Carter, one year, and Rev. 
A. Fairchild, one year, succeeded to the pas- 
toral labors here. A year ago Rev. I. N. 
English, the present pastor, came here and 
is building up the church. The church has a 
membership of about a hundred souls, and is 
in a very prosperous condition. The neat, 
tasty and commodious church edifice was 
built in 1874, and the spii'C contains a fine 
bell, to call the wor.shipers to service. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 




FREEDOM TOWNSHIP. 



HE subdivision of the county of 
Waseca known as Freedom, em- 
braces all of congressional town- 
ship 106 north of range 24, and 
contains 36 square miles or 23,040 
acres. Its surface, generally 
speaking, is quite level. The 
State geological report says, 
that : " The difference in eleva- 
tion between the highest and 
lowest portions of the surface, connected 
by slopes from a quarter of a mile to a mile 
in length, is only five to ten feet." It is well 
drained however by the Little Cobb River 
and Bull Run, both of which cross its entire 
Avidth from east to west, passing into Blue 
Earth County, the former on section 31, the 
latter on 18. 

Settlement in this township was consider- 
ably later than in other parts of the county 
owing to the fact, that, at the time the settlers 
were taking up their claims in the other town- 
ships, the territory now embraced in this, to- 
gether with that of the town of Alton, and 
parts of St. Mary, Wilton and Janesville was 
then comprised within the Winnebago Indian 
reservation. This line tract of land remained 
in the hands of the nomad savages until the 
summer of 1863, when they were all removed 
and the land thrown open to white settlers, 
to the evident satisfaction of those who had 
located in other parts of the county, who, 
after the outbreak of 1862, dreaded the near 
neighborhood of the Indians. 

Luke Chase was the first settler in this 
townshij), taking up a claim and locating 



thereon, in the fall of 1863. 
resident of the county. 



He is still a 



Edward Steele and Stephen Robinson 
came next. The latter settled on the north 
half of section 3, and from his avocation of 
peddler the hamlet that sprang up north of 
there took its name of Peddler's Grove. He 
is now a resident of Mendon, Neb. 

Three brothers by the name of Bean came 
here in the spring of 186-1-, bringing with 
them some six hundred head of sheep, and 
one of the brothers remained here some time, 
but linall}' returned to Iowa. 

Henry Chase, now a merchant in the vil- 
lage of Janesville, came to this township 
during the year 1864, and resided here until 
1869, when he removed to his present loca- 
tion. His settlement was on section 33. 

Fletcher D. Seaman settled in this town- 
ship in April, 1864, taking up a claim where 
he now lives. He is the oldest remaining 
resident. 

Fletcher D. Seaman, one of the leading 
agriculturists of this town, is the son of 
Buckland K. and Charlotte (Meade) Seaman, 
and was born in Essex County, N. Y., Sep- 
tember 8, 1843. He remained a resident of 
the Empire State until 1855, when he came 
west, locating at Appleton, Wis., where he 
followed the trade of iron molder for about 
a year, and other employment. In the fall 
of 1861 he enlisted in Company G, First 
Wisconsin Cavalry, and served for about a 
vear, when he was discharged for disabiUty, 
and returned to Wisconsin, where he taught 
school that winter. In the spring of 1863 
he came to this State, anil worked on a farm 
that summer and taught school in the winter 
in Hennepin County. April 1, 1864, he 
came to this countv, and settled on section 



68'.) 



690 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



18, Freedom Township, a portion of which 
he preempted. In the fall of 1864 he again 
enlisted, this time in Company A, Second 
Minnesota Infantr}'', and participated in 
the march to the sea with General Sherman, 
and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., 
July 1], 1865, and returned to his farm, 
where he has made his home ever since, ex- 
cept two years spent in Dakota. September 
23, 1868, he was united in marriage with 
Phoebe Chase, who was born in Orleans 
County, N. Y., September 24, 1849. They 
have had a family of eight children : Maud C, 
Meade T., Fletcher "W., Ernest B., P. May, 
Charlotte H., Susan and DoUie, all of whom 
are living at home except DoUie, who died 
April 20, 1886. Mr. Seaman was the first 
town clerk of Freedom and has been promi- 
nently identified with the develojiment of 
this part of the county. On the loth of 
May, 1885, Mr. Seaman was. in a short half 
hour, stripped by lire of house, fui'niturc, 
barn, gram antl everything but his family, 
the clothes they had on, his land and stock. 
But he was not without friends, and good 
warm ones at that, Mr. Rollins taking in 
the family and keeping them until they 
could get up a new house. Neighbors by 
the score flocked here without a word and 
helped Mr. Seaman rebuild his house, and 
grain and other necessaries were poured in 
on him by sympathizing friends. lie can- 
not express his feelings when speaking of 
this unwonted kindness, but feels it all the 
more deeply. 

D. P. Young, now a resident of Alton 
Township, came here in 1864, one of the first 
to settle on these lands. He remained until 
1875, when he removed to his present resi- 
dence. 

William Davidson Jr., still living in the 
town, came here and made a settlement in 
1864. 

William Davidson Jr., son of William and 
Mary Davidson, was born in Thompsonville, 
Conn., July 18, 1838. His father, William 
Davidson Sr., was born in Musselburgh, 



Scotland, October 22, 1810 and his mother, 
Mary (Stevenson) Davidson, was born in 
the parish of Denny, Scotland, January 25, 
1805. In 1850 William moved to Iowa with 
his parents, and there remained until 1858, 
when he removed to Winona County, Minn. 
He remained there until 1859, when he went 
to California, and soon after removed to 
Nevada, where he was engaged in mining 
until September, 1863. He then came back 
to Minnesota, and, in the course of a year, 
purchased the southeast quarter of section 
19, in Freedom Township. Waseca County. 
He has since that time spent most of his 
time there, carrying on general farming and 
stock-raising. William was mai-ried Decem- 
ber 1, 186Y, to Miss Mary E. Vars, of Blue 
Earth County, Minn. She was the daughter 
of John W. Vars, who was born October lO, 
1821, and Livinia (Brown) Yars, born Feb- 
ruary 8, 182(1. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have 
been Ijlessed with live children : Rolla B., 
born October 23, 1868; William G., born 
June 26, 1870; Traca A., born March 8, 
1874, and died September, 1887 ; Ralph D., 
born August 22, 1876, and Livinia, born 
March 7, 1878. 

Willet Tolles made a settlement in this 
part of the county in 1864 with his father 
and brother. He is no longer a resident of 
the county, however, living now in Mankato. 

O. S. Canfield, now of Janesville, came 
here in 1864. 

Daniel Pierce, S. C. Brooks, Amos Waring, 
William Reed, Mr. Moon, Luther Ackerman, 
Ira Abell and a man by the name of Hois- 
ington came into this township during the 
year 1864. Daniel Pierce is now a resident 
of the city of Waseca ; S. C. Brooks is in 
Mapleton; Amos Waring is in Dakota; 
William Reed moved to California; Mr. 
Moon and his five or six sons have all left 
the county ; Luther Ackerman emigrated to 
Colorado ; Ira Abell about a dozen years ago 
moved back to the New England States, and 
Mr. Iloisington died here some years ago. 

A man bv the name of McDowell came 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



fiOl 



here in 1864 and made this his residence 
until his death. 

Simon Sackett, now of Janesville, came 
here in 186-1 and located a claim, and lived 
here for years. 

John H. Fields made a settlement upon 
the northeast quarter of section 9, the same 
year. He is a native of Massachusetts, who 
first came west in 1853, and settled in Mower 
County, this State, and from there moved to 
Olmsted County, and then here. He is the 
father of Frank Field, of Alma City, and a 
sketch of him is included in the mention of 
the latter. 

Harry Scoville, a keen, nervous, ambitious 
man from the State of New York, located 
here. He has since died, and the family has 
removed from the county. 

Just as soon as the grass had come in 1864, 
a tide of emigration swept over this part of 
the county and filled up nearly every part 
of it. So great was their number that it is 
an almost impossible task to mention all of 
them. The many that are named are all 
that could be remembered bj' the old settlers. 
Many stayed but a short time, but those that 
remained here have nearly all pi'ospered, and 
have become well off in tiiis world's goods. 
Many of the first settlers were young men, 
unmarried, who has just come out of the 
army, and who returning to their old homes 
had found their places filled by others, and 
pushed out in search of a new home. 

W. D. Armstrong took up land on section 
1, of this town, where he moved his family 
two years later, and where he lived until 
1883, when he moved to Waseca, where he 
now lives. 

In October, 1865, John J. "VVilkins, with his 
family, settled here and has remained a citi- 
zen ever since. 

John J. "Wilkins is a native of the State of 
New Jersey, born July 13, 1827, and is the 
son of James and Hannah (Ferguson) Wil- 
kins. He lived with iiis parents until he was 
about twenty years of age, when he came to 
Wisconsin, and worked in the pineries dur- 



ing the winters and on fai-msin the summers 
until December 9, 1849, when his mar- 
riage with Zilpha M. Borst took place, when 
he bought a farm in Green Lake County, 
Wis., where they remained until October, 
1865, when he came to this town and county 
and settled on section 26. In 1862 he 
enlisted in company H, Fifth Wisconsin In- 
fantry and served three years with that fa- 
mous regiment throughout all the bloody cam- 
paigns which the army of the Potomac was 
called to endure. Antietam, Frederickburg, 
Chancellorsville,Getty sburg and a great many 
others are inscribed on the flag of the gal- 
lant Fifth. Mr. Wilkins was mustered 
out at Hall's Hill, Va., June 22, 1865, and 
received his discharge July 8, following, and 
returned home. He is the parent of four 
children: Eichard S., born April 1, 1851: 
Charles H., born June 24, 1852 ; Charlotte 
J., born April 16, 1854, and Ernest G., born 
June 5, 1868. Mr. Wilkins has held the 
office of chairman of the town supervisors, 
town assessor, justice of the peace and clerk 
of the school district. 

William Orcutt, whose sketch is given in 
connection with Alma City came to Waseca 
County in September, 1865, and made a set- 
tlement in this township. 

Darling Welch, made a settlement in this 
town in 1865. He is now a resident of 
Waseca. 

John L. Graham, a native of the State of 
New York, came to this township in 1865 
and made a settlement. He had been a can- 
vasser in his early days in New York and 
Pennsylvania. He is the father of Clarence 
E. Graham, of the Waseca Radical, and Ar- 
thur Graham, of this town. He is a resident 
of Janesville at the present writing. 

Arthur Graham, his son, made a settlement 
in Freedom in 1865. Artliur is a native of 
New York, born September 12, 1845. He 
came to Waseca County with his parents in 
1865, and settled on tlie southwest quarter 
of section 6, Fi'eedom Township. He after- 
ward purchased the farm of his father, who 



692 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



now resides in Janesville. He was united 
in marriage in Waseca County, October 
20, 1869, to Miss Barbara Elmore, born in 
Wisconsin, July 27, 1850. Her father died 
May 21, 1883, and was buried in Alma City 
cemetery. Her mother now lives in Janes- 
ville. They have had four children : Byron, 
born September 13, 1870 ; John, born De- 
cember 16, 1871 ; Arthur, born June 8, 1875, 
and Emma, born April 7. 1878. 

Robert Earl, now a resident of Alton 
Township, settled in Freedom in 1865. He 
is a native of Crawford County, Pa. 

Among the other settlers of the year 1865 
may be mentioned : Joseph Griffiths, now 
in the township; Isaac Westover, in Hlinois 
at this writing, William Oldlield, who 
returned to New York State, and Nelson 
Witts, now a resident here. 

Nelson Witts is the son of Nelson and 
Catherine Witts, and was born in England, 
February 6, 1832. He came to the United 
States in 1855, and settled in Green County, 
Wis., where he remained a year, and then 
moved to Kansas. Four years and a half 
Avere spent there, when, returning to Wiscon- 
sin, he lived there two years and then came 
to Minnesota, and a little later to Waseca 
County. He settled where he now lives, and 
at present has some -180 acres of rich land. 
He has always been engaged in farming and 
stock-raising, and ever since he has been 
here has made large quantities of sorghum 
syrup, he having fitted up a factory for that 
purpose, which is a success financially. He 
has invented and patented an evaporating 
pan for this jnu'pose, which has proven, also, 
a wonderful thing, large numbers of them 
having been sold and alwa^'s proved satis- 
factory. He has also secured a patent for a 
railroad snow-plow. He is indebted to him- 
self and his own exertions for the wealth he 
has, as he was quite a poor iiian when he 
came here. He was married in Wisconsin. 
November 2, 1862, to Esther Flanegan, 
who was born in Canada, in 1833. They 
have been the parents of four children : 



Frank, born May 9, 1864 ; Nettie, born De- 
cember 2, 1866, died April 3, 1874 ; William 
Grant, born May 19, 1872, and Samuel N., 
born April 24, 1876. 

Among the settlers of the year 1866 were, 
Samuel S. Eollins, Franklin W. Bromaghin, 
John Wilkinson, John Davis, Clarence E. 
Graham. 

Samuel S. Eollins is a native of New 
Hampshire, born May 1, 1836, and the son 
of Reuben and Lavina Rollins. When he 
was about eighteen j'ears of age he com- 
menced work in a bobbin factory in his 
native State, where he remained until 1855, 
when he came to Minnesota, and, purchasing 
a farm in Houston County, settled in that 
place. In 1866 he came to this town and 
county, and purchasing a farm on section 8, 
lived there until 1878. Avhen he removed to 
the farm on section 7, where he now resides. 
November 8, 1860, he was united in marriage 
with Martha M. Elmore, who was born Octo- 
ber 31, 1843. They are the parents of six 
children : Martha Lavina, born August 16, 
1861, died January IS, 1864; Edith A., born 
May 22, 1865 ; Henry C, born December 1, 
1866; Lillian Grace, born December 5, 1871, 
and Nora May, born July 21, 1876. Edith 
A. is married to John Harmon, of A'ivian 
Township. The others are with their par 
ents yet. Mr. Rollins is one of the represen- 
tative New Englanders that have made their 
impress upon all the West, men of sterling 
worth, indomitable perseverence and unsur- 
passed ability. He has held a few town 
offices hei'e, not that he craved political pref- 
erment, but as the duty of an American 
citizen. Among others, he held that of 
school treasurer for over eighteen years. 

Franklin W. Bromaghin was born in St. 
Lawrence County. N. Y., June 29, 1820. He 
came to Waseca County in 1866, and settled 
on section 8 of this township, where he lived 
for some five or six years before he could 
])ay for it. When he came he had a very 
sick wife, a feeble old father and eight chil- 
dren, and had no house or shelter for them 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



693 



and only $19 in money with which to buy 
lumber and live on, and flour $18 per barrel, 
potatoes $1 per bushel and butter 50 cents 
per pound. He finally bought a little board 
shanty of a man for $50, on time, tore it 
down and moved it to his claim and there 
ret'rected it. He hud served in the Union 
army prior to coming here, having enlisted 
Fe])ruary 27, 1864, in Company D, Thirty- 
seventh Wisconsin Infantry, and served 
until July 27, 1865, when he was mustered 
out and discharged, having particijiated in 
several battles. He, as second duty ser- 
geant, had the command of the company, 
the officers of whiSli were absent. Januar\' 
8, 1843, he was married to Sarah M. Taplin, 
who was born March 2, 1827. They are the 
parents of eight children : George W., born 
August 4, 1844, married Angeline Benjamin, 
and lives in Alma City ; Mary Jane, born 
February 16, 1848, married and living in 
Wisconsin ; Sarah Ann, born April 22, 1850, 
married and living in town of Alton; Mar- 
tin J., born March 8, 1852, married Dora 
Carr, living in this town ; William H., born 
May 11, 1854, married Eva Johnson, lives in 
Alton ; Ella F., born April 19, 1856, married 
N. O. Can field, now in Mood}' County, D. 
T. ; Emer M., born October 11, 1858, mar- 
ried William Tew, lives in Alton, and Jolm 
A., born October 3, 1860, now in Dakota. 

John Wilkinson was born in the State of 
Wisconsin, February 28, 1846. In 1866 he 
came to Waseca County, where he has buried 
both father and mother. He bought a farm 
on section 4, Freedom Township, which he 
sold the same year. He then took up a 
claim on the southeast quarter of section 5, 
and is still residing there engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. He is also a 
stockholder of the steam flouring mill at Alma 
City, which has a capacity of 125 barrels per 
day. Mr. Wilkinson was married June 1, 
1869, to Miss Mary Morrinson, who was born 
August 1, 1851, and daughter of John and 
Parmelia Morrinson, both of whom died in 
Wisconsin. They have had four children : 



Lydia, born May 19, 1870, and died Decem- 
ber 22, 1874; Musey, born July 15, 1874; 
Emma, born May 11, 1879, and Everett, born 
November 25, 1886. 

Mrs. Maria Davis, widow of the late John 
Davis, is a daughter of William and Cather- 
ine Cora. She was united in marriage with 
John Davis, December 27, 1853, and in the 
year 1S66. they removed to this county, first 
settling about three miles east of Peddler's 
Grove, where they made their home for 
many years. In 1877 they sold out this 
place and purchased a farm on section 25, 
in this township, where she now lives. Mr. 
and Mrs. Davis were the parents of seven 
children: Charles T., born May 29, 1855, 
now in St. Cloud, Minn., selling agricultural 
implements; Helen Eliza, born April 12, 
1856, wife of Augustus Bakkedahl, and a 
resident of Colnum, D. T., Adelia, born 
December 18, 1858, wife of David Powers, 
of Colman, D. T., Estella, born October 21, 
1861 ; Frederick, born May 3, 1867 ; Burton, 
born March 5, 1870, and Frank, born April 
26, 1872. The last named four are at home 
with their mother. Mr. Davis was called 
from this world January 2, 1886, The widow 
and children have a very fine home, the 
farm being well improved and well stocked. 

Sanford Hydorn was born in Morristown, 
St. Lawrence County, N. Y., July 24, 1841, 
and resided among the hills of his native land 
until he was of age, when, August 5, 1862, 
he enhsted in Company B, One Hundred and 
Sixth New York Infantry, and participated 
in all the engagements in which that regi- 
ment was found, until July 9, 1864, when at 
the battle of Monocacy Junction he was 
wounded, and Avhen he had recovered from 
that was transferred to the Eighteenth Vet- 
eran Corps. On his discharge he returned to 
his home in New York, but in the spring of 
1866 he came to Minnesota, and for about 
two years remained in Goodhue County, 
and then came to this town and county, 
settling on a farm, the northwest quarter of 
section 30, which he had purchased previously. 



fi94 



HISTORY OK WASEt'A GOUNTV. 



He is now living on the old homestead, 
and has a iine home. When he first came 
here, like all new settlers he had to put up 
with many hardships, and was thankful tliat 
they were no worse. Dry bread and sour 
milk was often his noonday meal while 
breaking the prairie sod, for he came here 
before he brought his wife to the farm, and 
}>oarded out, but provisions were scarce and 
money more so. January 3, 1869, he was 
united in marriage with Abbie Woodward, 
and they have been the parents of four chil- 
dren: Fred., born July 2, 1871 ; Millie, born 
September 18, 1873, and died November 2, 
1874; Mabel, born September iS, 1881, and 
Lura, born November 23, 1882. Mr. Hydorn 
is one of the representative men of the town- 
ship. He IS the son of Adam and Margaret 
(Bonesteel) Hydorn, the former of whom 
died in October, 1808 ; the latter is living on 
the old homestead, in New York State. 

Henry Converse was born in the State of 
Connecticut, July 31, 1825, and is the son of 
Benjamin and Hannah Converse. When he 
was about nineteen years old he commenced 
work in the foundry at Stafford Hollow, 
Conn., where he remained some three or four 
years. From there he moved to Worcester, 
Mass., where he followed the profession of 
molder for some ten years. At the expira- 
tion of that time he came west, and took up 
a claim in Winona Count}\ where he com- 
menced farming. There he remained some 
four years, when he moved to the city of 
Winona, and resumed his old trade. Smith 
it Dean, the foundrymen of La Crosse, Wis., 
then wanted him, so he moved to that city, 
and was foreman of their foundry for four 
years. He next kept a billiard hall in North 
La Crosse, but two years later came to this 
town and county. This was in November, 
1868. He then bought the farm on section 
27, where he now lives. Mr. Converse was 
first married in 1844, to Caroline Ona, by 
whom he had two children : Julia, who after- 
ward died in Washington Territory, and 
Clarence W., living in Janesville, thiscoimtv. 



His second marriage took place in Februar}'^, 
1863, with Mrs. Mary (Haley) Hayden, who 
had one child by her former marriage, Katie, 
born June 16, 1861, and died in Januaiy, 
1863. Mrs. Converse had an experience dur- 
ing the Indian troubles in 1862 that is well 
worth hearing her repeat. It seems that she 
and her husband, Hayden, lived in Renville 
County at that time, and hearing that the 
savages were murdering people within five 
miles of them, they all fled from the house, 
and their neighbors from theirs. When they 
had gone but a short distance, Mr. Hayden 
returned to the house for something or other, 
but was killed by the reef fiends, who had 
just come up. She and the neighbors pushed 
on, but were overtaken by the Indians, the 
men with them butchered, the women taken 
prisoners, but she. leaping from the wagon 
with her child in her arms, hid in the woods 
till night, then walked to Fort Ridgelej', 
eighteen miles distant. Mr. and IVIr. Con- 
verse have had three children born to them, 
viz.: Hattie Belle, born October 16, 1865; 
Mark Wallace, born November 16, 1868, and 
Mildred Elizabeth, born October 16, 1874. 

John Oien is a native of Norway, born 
December 11, 1838. He remained in the 
country of his birth until he was seventeen 
years of age, and, in 1855, came to America, 
and settled in Kewaunee County, Wis., 
where he was engaged in farming for some 
thirteen years. He was married there to 
Anna Christiansen March 13, 1862, and 
there their four children were born, as fol- 
lows: Ole. December 26. 1862 ; Morris, May 
10, 1865 ; Carl, October 20, 1866, and Min- 
nie (Jaroline, July 2, 1868, but died Novem- 
ber 14, 1868. In the fall of the last nametl 
year he came to Minnesota and spent the 
winter, and the following spring moved to 
his farm, the southwest quarter of section 
32, where he now lives. In 1881 he })ut up 
a store building and carries it on, in jiartner- 
ship with Charles Dedrick. They have a 
full line of general merchandise. Mr. Oien 
lias been postmaster here for nine or ten 



HISTORY OF WASECA OOtTNTY. 



695 



years. September 7, 1886, Mrs. Oien was 
taken from her family by death, and is 
deeply regi-etted not only by them but by the 
whole neighborhood, as she was i most esti- 
mable lady. She acted as assistant postmas- 
ter until her death, and her son Carl succeeds 
her in that ])lace. 

Charles Dedrick was born in Kewaunee 
County, "Wis., April 13, 1856. In his 
boyhood daj's he attended school in winter 
and during the summer months worked on 
the farm with his father. At fifteen years 
of age he started out into the world for him- 
self. Most of his time was engaged in 
working in sawmills until he came to Free- 
dom Township and was employed by his 
uncle, John Oien, who has been in the mer- 
cantile business since 1881. Mr. Oien, find- 
ing his health failing, wanted an honest and 
trustworthy partner to take charge of his 
business, so prevailed on Mr. Dedrick to 
take an interest in the concern. At the 
present they carry a full line of goods such 
as is generally kept in this line of business, 
and have a growing and prosperous trade. 

ORGANIC. 

In March, 1864, the board of count}' com- 
missioners ordered that townships 106 and 
107, range 24, be organized as a civil township, 
and it was made a part of the order that the 
people, at the first town meeting, should 
select a name for the same, with the under- 
standing that when it should be divided 
town 106 should retain the name chosen 
at this time. The first election was held in 
May following. F. D. Seaman and Messrs. 
Robinson and Bean were chosen a committee 
to name the town, and two having each a 
name left it to Mr. Seaman, who decided to 
call it Freedom. 

CHURCHES. 

Pursuant to public notice a meeting was 
held at the house of Rev. R. S. Armstrong, 
November 3, 1878, for the purpose of organ- 
izing a Congregational Church. The meet- 
ing was called to order by Rev. R. S. Arm- 



strong, and S. O. Garlick was chosen scribe. 
The expediency of forming a church in this 
place was then stated by Rev. Armstrong, 
when the following resolution was presented 
for adoption : 

" Hesohed, That we, the respective mem- 
bers of the First Congregational Church 
of McPherson, having letters of dismission 
from said church, with a view of becoming 
members of a Congregational Church to be 
formed at the county line do hereb}' consti- 
tute ourselves a Congregational Church, to 
be known as and by the name of the Con- 
gregational Church of Freedom." 

After deliberate consideration the afore- 
said resolution was unanimouslv adopted and 
signed by the following named persons : S. O. 
Garlick, Alice Garlick, Lizzie Garlick, Rob- 
ert Fields, Wm. Fields, Thomas Fields, John 
E. Gearv, Eliza Geary, Rachel Wallace, R. 
S. Armstrong, Harriette E. Armstrong.- J. 
E. Gearjr was chosen deacon, and S. O. Gar- 
lick, clerk. , 

On motion, the following resolution was 
adopted : 

"Hesolved, That we invite a council of Con- 
gregational Churches to convene at the 
county line schoolhouse on the 12th day of 
November, 1878, at 2 o'clock p. m. to receive 
our action and recognize us as a Congrega- 
tional Church." 

Robert S. Armstrong, the first pastoi", was 
installed November 12. 1878. 

He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph S. 
Rounce, and he by Rev. Wilbur Fisk. 

March 21, 1887, at a church meeting it 
was decided to locate the site of their church 
edifice on section 18, and the erection of the 
building was commenced Jul}' 9, 1887. 

A meeting was held at the county line 
schoolhouse, February 22, 1887, for the 
purpose of organizing the First Congrega- 
tional Society as a body corporate. The 
meeting was called to order by Rev. W. 
Fisk, and A. P. Runnells was elected chair- 
man and G. B. Wallace, clerk. 

The German Evangelical Lutheran Church, 



fi9fi 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Immanuel, which stands on the northeast 
quarter of section 16, was erected in 187-t, 
under the ministry of Rev. Andrew Mueller, 
who has charge at the present time. 

Rev. Andrew Mueller is a native of Ger- 
many, born July 13, 1S50. He came to the 
United States in 1864 with his father, who 
settled at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where An- 
drew remained until 1873, when he entered 
the theological college at Springfield, Ills., 
graduating therefrom in the year 1879. He 
labored in the cause of Christ in southern 
Dakota, in the home mission field, for about 
six years, when he received a call from his 
present congregation, and came to this por- 
tion of the Lord's vineyard, where he has 
done much good work. May 13, 1880, he 
was united in the bonds of matrimony with 
Ottilie Krumbholz, and they have been the 
parents of four children, born as follows : 
Alwine, October 9, 1881 ; Andrew, May 21, 
1883; John, April 5, 1885, and Ottilie, July 
13, 1887. Uis father and brother now reside 
in lovva. 

OTHER PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

In addition to the parties who have already 
been noticed at length, we here present bi- 
ographies of a number of prominent citizens 
who should receive notice in the annals of 
Freedom. 

John E. Geary was born in Scotland. 
July 28, 181:0, and was brought to the 
United States in 1842 by his parents, who 
settled in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., 
where he remained until August 15, 1862, 
when he enlisted in Company A, One Hun- 
dred and Forty-second New York Infantry, 
and served in the front some three years, 
and was discharged at Albany, N. Y., June 
15, 1865, when he returned to his parents' 
home. He remained there until November, 
1877, when he came to Freedom Township 
and purchasing a farm of 120 acres, on sec- 
tion 18, where he now lives, settled down as 
a farmer and stock-raiser. March 14, 1867, 
he was united in marriage with Eliza Fields, 
and they have had a family of six children : 



George Edgar, born April 15, 1868 ; Albert 
James, February 13, 1872; Myron Fields, 
October 10, 1874 ; Lilian May, July 1, 1880; 
Anna Luella, September 4, 1882, and Stella, 
June 17, 1886. 

Charles Cunningham was born in Vermil- 
lion County, Canada, July 14, 1820. Ho 
was left an orphan at an early age and 
drifted from one occupation to another until 
1836, when he came to Chicago, where he 
followed the occupations of peddler, mail 
carrier and often Indian trader. From there 
he went to "Wisconsin, where he chopped 
wood in the fall and winter of 1838. In the 
following year he drove a stage in Indiana, 
and in 1840 followed the same vocation in 
Ohio. A few years later we find him in the 
lead mines at Galena, lU., but from there he 
drifted back to Milwaukee, where he ran a 
dray line for some time. This he sold out 
and then went to work for Levi Blossom, 
of the Eagle brewer}', and who, as he had 
no education, sent him to the high school at 
Paris, 111. When he returned from there he 
sold beer for the brewery all daj', and 
attended school during the evening. In this 
way lie obtained considerable education, and 
being qualified for the position, was made 
traveling agent for the brewer}', and con- 
tinued in that capacity for several years. He 
then was a member of the police force, and 
also kept an eating-house for several years. 
After this acted as deputy United States 
marshal. During the war was engaged in 
the South as government cotton and cane 
gatherer, and for other parties raised cotton, 
bought mules, etc. In 1865 he purchased a 
farm in Racine County, Wis., where he lived 
until 1870, when he removed to this town 
and county, where he has a fine large farm 
of 439 acres of well improved land. July 2, 
1850, he was married to Bridget Hanly, and 
they have now living seven children : 
Sarah Jane, Mar\', Charles H., John R., 
Anna, Frank and James A. Mr. Cunning- 
ham is a director in the proposed Alton, 
Mankato & St. Cloud Railroad. 



,lji"„ f>' 




zjjr^^^^4_^' 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



699 



Ole O. Oien was born in Norwaj', Octo- 
ber 3, 1837. On coming to America he 
settled in Wisconsin, where he engaged in 
fishing for two years and tlien worlied on a 
farm one year. He then removed to Min- 
nesota and spent seven weeks in looking 
around and trying to find a suitable place 
to live. He at last settled on the nortlieast 
quarter of section 32, this township, where 
he now has a large house beautifully situ- 
ated on his farm, and carries on farming and 
stock-raising. Mr. Oien was united in mar- 
riage, October 7, 1874, to Torbgoer Torger- 
son, who died June 11, 1883. They were 
the parents of two children : Oscar Olson, 
born February 11, 1878, and Ida Bardine, 
born December 10, 1881. 

Abner E. Comstock was born in New 
York State, July 2, 1852 and is the son 
of Orsini and Martha Comstock. He was 
reared and educated in the old Empire State, 
and resided there until he was seventeen 
years old. His father died there February 2, 
1861, and in 1869 Abner came to Minnesota, 
bringing with him his mother, and settled in 
Blue Earth County, where he lived until 
1879, when he removed to a farm on section 
7, in this town, which he had purchased in 
1873 of his brother Hiram. In 1886 he 
added to this farm some eighty acres, and 
now has a fine farm of 220 acres, well im- 
proved and thoroughly stocked. He has 
been quite successful in his farming opera- 
tions, for intelligent tillage in Minnesota 
always brings a full reward. May 21, 1871, 
he was united in marriage with Sarah Earl, 
and they have been the parents of five chil- 
dren : Lena Earl, born January 17, 1876, 
died January 18 ; Deward E., born March 21:, 
1878 ; Henry B., October 2, 1882 ; Daisy L., 
born May 30, 1883 ; Ray F., born May 9, 
1885. 

Samuel Hodgkins was born in the State 
of New York, June 15, 1839, and is the son 
of William and Almira Hodgkins. He re- 
inained at home with his parents until May 
1, 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, 

40 



Eighteenth New Y^ork Infantry, and served 
until May 28, 1863, when he was honorably 
discharged. He returned to his father's 
house, where he remained until the 7th of 
August of the same year, when he reen- 
listed in Company C, Fourteenth New York 
Heavy Artillery, and while in that regiment 
received injuries from which he will never 
recover. He received his final discharge in 
Se]3tember, 1865, when he again returned 
home. December 28, 1S()5, he was united in 
marriage with Lucretia Ackerman, and then 
rented liis father's farm, where he remained 
some four j'ears. Selling what he had 
he then came to this town and county, 
arriving here April 7, 1870. He purchased 
an eightj'-acre piece of wild land for $500. 
He rented a farm the first year, but his crop 
was a total failure, and it is said of him that 
the sum of his earnings for eighteen months 
was about $2.00. He has now a finely 
cultivated, well improved farm of 320 acres 
of land, all paid for and free from any 
incumbrance. Mr. and Mrs. Hodgkins are 
the parents of seven children, born as fol- 
lows : Smitii, April 23, 1867 ; Charles, Au- 
gust U, 1869 ; Milo, August 15, 1871 ; Samuel, 
August 19, 1874 ; David, July 10, 1876 ; an 
infant in March 1878, died the next month, 
and Nelly J., February 11, 1873. 

Jeremiah Macke^' is a native of County 
Clare, Ireland, born in 1813. He lived in 
the land of his birth until 1841, when he 
crossed the ocean to America, and, on land- 
ing here, remained in New York for a couple 
of months, and then went to Boston, Mass., 
where he kept a grocery store and ran a 
job wagon for some fourteen years. He then 
came west, locating at Watertown, Wis., 
where he worked on the railroad until the 
year 1874, when he came to Waseca County, 
and settled on the farm on section 29, in this 
township, which he had purchased previous 
to his moving here. He has now one of the 
finest places in the town, with excellent 
buildings, all surrounded with fine groves. 
He was married in 1843 to Cathei'ine Man- 



700 



HISTOKY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



ning, and thej- have been the parents of four 
children : Mary Ann, deceased ; John, mar- 
ried to Mar}^ O'Leary, living in this town ; 
Michael and Catherine (deceased). 

Daniel N. Mandigo was born in Canada, 
July 15, 1840. lie came to the United States 
in lSfi2, and settled at Medo, Blue Earth 
County, this State, where he preempted land 
on section 1-1 of that town. In 1809 he sold 
out there and came to this county, settling 
on section 30, where he now lives. When 
he came to this State he had §ll as 
the sum of his earthly possessions, but by 
earnest work and thrift he has acquired a 
line property. In 1863 he enlisted in Com- 
pany F, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, 



and was in active service until the fall of 
1865, when he was discharged. On return- 
ing to this State he ran rafts on the Mississippi 
River for about two years, and then freighted 
provisions to Fort Thompson for the Indians. 
He was fired on several times by the savages, 
but was lucky enough to escape unhurt. 
November 10, 1867, he was united in mar- 
riage with Janet Remington, who was born 
May 25, 1850. They have a family of six 
children : Geneva, born August 9, 1869 ; 
Lettie, born October 29, 1871 ; Clara, Au- 
gust 23, 1873 ; Mary Jane, March 14, 1882 ; 
Charles, November 2, 1885, and Guy, June 
17, 1887. 




CHAPTER XXVIII. 



CITY OF WASECA. 



IIE cit}' of "Waseca, the seat of 
justice of the county, and the 
largest and most important town 
within its hmits,liesin Woodville 
Township, on sections 7, 8, 17 and 
18, the greater part in the last two 
named. On the coming of tlie 
Winona & St. Peter Raih'oad to 
this part of the State in 1867, Ira 
C. Trowbridge laid out and plat- 
ted a portion of land on sections 
17 and 18, known as the Myers 
farm, into town lots, giving it the 
name of Waseca. The survey 
of this was made in July of the 
above-named year by Joseph H. Jenkins, 
surveyor. In September following, Mr. 
Trowbridge, in company with Mr. H. P. 
Norton, laid out what is known as the First 
addition on the northern part of the east half 
of the northwest quarter of section 17, north 
of the railroad. H. G. Mosher was the sur- 
veyor. 

In October, 1867, J. H. Jenkins, a sur- 
veyor, laid out and platted what is known 
as Barney's addition. 

In August of the same year, however, 
George W. Watkins laid out the site of a 
town south of the track, which he called 
Clear Lake City, on section 18. H. G. Mosher 
was the surveyor. This is now a part of 
Waseca, the greater having absorbed the 
less. 

Lakeside addition, on section 17, was sui-- 
veyed April 17 and 18, 1868, by C. E. Crane, 
for Nathaniel and Eri G. Wood ; and Ben- 
nett's addition was placed on record January 
27, 1872, Edward Bennett being proprietor, 



and C. E. Crane the surveyor. McNamara's 
addition, laid out in April, 1873 ; Trowbridge's 
addition, surveyed in June of the same year ; 
Jenkins' addition, in August, 1875 ; Ward's 
addition, in May, 1885 ; South addition, by 
W. G. Ward, October, 1885 ; South Side ad- 
dition, by I. C. Trowbridge, in September, 
1885 ; and Watkins' Second addition in May, 
1885, with several smaller ones, go to make 
up the present incorporated city of Waseca. 

It lies upon a beautiful slope of ground 
between the two lakes, Clear and Loon, both 
charming sheets of pellucid water, and is 
embosomed in trees and groves. No more 
lovely spot for a town could be desired, and 
the pride the citizens have in theh* lovely 
city is plainly evinced by the care taken of 
their surroundings, their dwellings and 
grounds. But few old buildings appear, nor 
tumbled-down i-ookeries give an air of in- 
solvency to the place ; all is neat as paint 
and care can make them. The class of 
buildings is far in advance of towns of a like 
population in this or other States, and the 
people are cultivated, intelligent, and above 
all, public spirited. 

Prior to the laying out of the town in the 
fall of 1866, William McVeigh opened a 
store near where the brewery now stands, 
and there dispensetl from a stock of general 
merchandise. After the commencement of 
the new town he removed thither, where he 
erected a store building and opened business. 
About a year subsequently he sold out and 
removed from here. 

Almost as if by magic the town sprang 
into being ; house after house, several of 
them at a time, were raised, stores were 



701 



702 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



opened, and although the first edifice was 
commenced in the hitter part of July, before 
snow flew quite a respectable village had 
gathered at this point. 

The following, quoted from the News, 
under date of December 6, 1S67, will give a 
very graphic picture of the sudden growth 
of the embryo cit}'. Remember, this was 
written when the place was only about four 
months old : 

"On the north side of the track, the orig- 
inal Waseca, there are eighty-two buildings ; 
on the south side there are twenty, in all 
102, built in the short space of four months. 
Of those north of the elevator there are 
some twenty-five, two stories high; one, two 
and a half stories high ; five, one and a half 
stories high, and the others are smaller 
buildings. 

"There are about eleven mercantile estab- 
lishments, eight liquor dealers, four hotels, 
two livery stables, two cabinet and furniture 
rooms, two harness shops, two shoemaker 
shops, two banks, two real estate offices and 
several carpenter shops, blacksmith shoi>s 
and meat markets. . . . 

" It is almost incredible that so much work 
could have been done in so short a time, and 
still there are many who are yet engaged in 
building. . . . We doubt if any village 
in the State can show such a rapid and sub- 
stantial growth as this." 

Let us try and trace the rise of the town 
and its present status, giving the first insti- 
tutions of each kind and the present state 
of that line of trade, interwoven with the 
personal history of prominent business men. 

To begin with, then: 

About the first of August, 1807, William 
Everett erected a store building, the pioneer 
business house of the town, which was occu- 
pied by Loi'd, Addison ct Co. with a stock 
of general merchandise. These ))arties con- 
tinued in business for a few years, when 
the firm name was changed to Addison & 
Everett, who operated it until 1875, when 
they were succeeded b}' Everett & Ecken- 



beck. This firm, composed of William 
Everett and S. C. Eckenbeck, is still in 
existence, doing business in a fine large 
brick block on the main business street. 

In 1867 an establishment known as the 
"Norwegian Store" was opened by C. Son- 
steby and ran for some years. 

II. S. Swift & Co. opened a stock of gen- 
eral merchandise in the fall of 1867, in a 
building put up by Williams & AVashburn. 
In June, 1808, this establishment passed into 
the hands of W. G. Ward, they having made 
an assignment. Mr. Ward ran it about a 
year, when he removed the stock to a supply 
store at old Janesville, where he was en- 
gaged in railroad work. 

This line, dry goods, groceries, etc., is 
now represented by McLoughlin Bros., 
C. McKenna, F. Voigt, A. E. Jay & Co., A. 
M. Johnson, S. C. Eckenbeck & Co. and R. 
Miller. Some of these, however, are exclu- 
sively engaged in the sale of dr^' goods. 

T. F. McLoughlin, the junior partner in 
the firm of McLoughlin Bros., was born in 
Oneida County, N. Y., in 1860, and was 
brought to Minnesota b}' his parents in 
1803. They settled at Cannon City, where 
he was reared. He came to Waseca in 1881, 
and entered into. partnership with his brother 
Dennis, the present postmaster, and has con- 
tinued ever since a member of the firm, and 
is a prominent business man. lie is a mem- 
ber of the Ronum Catholic Church of this 
city. 

In the fall of 1867 a clothing establishment 
was opened by Samuel Friend, with John 
Mollin as manager, in the building put up 
and used by II. P. Norton as an express 
office. This store, however, was not of long- 
duration, closing out about the first of Feb- 
ruary, 1868. 

This line of trade has the following firms 
as its exponents, in 1887: W. II. Gillis, G. 
Buchler, Bird Bros., Shubeine & Meinstein, 
Nicholas Ott and John Shea. 

The first furniture store was opened by A. 
Grapp in the summer of 1867. The building 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



703 



that he occupied at that time was on the lot 
just north of the fine brick store which he 
erected in 1875, and where he now transacts 
the same line of trade. 

Comee & Young's furniture rooms were 
put up and opened but a few days after that 
of Mr. Grapp. A full history of this insti- 
tution is given furtlier on in connection with 
that of the Waseca Furniture Company, into 
which it has grown. 

This line of trade is represented by the 
following firms: A. Grapp, Thomas Flynn, 
and the Waseca Furniture Company. 

A. Grapp, the pioneer furniture dealer of 
Waseca, is a native of Prussia, Germany, 
born June 26, 1841, and is the son of A. F. 
and Lena (Wineke) Grapp, natives of the 
same country. He remained at home at- 
tending school until he had attained the age 
of fourteen years, when he commenced to 
learn his trade. After serving and work- 
ing as an apprenticeship of three years, as 
is customary in the fatherland, he carried on 
the business for himself for about eighteen 
months, when he entered the German army, 
taking part in the Schleswig-Holstein cam- 
paign between Prussia and Denmark. He 
l)articipated in the attack on the forts at 
Diebel, on the 22d of December, 186-1, and 
in the battle at the village of Diebel, in 
which engagements the loss Avas something 
like 4,000 men. In December, 1865, he was 
discharged, and shortly after emigrated to 
America, arriving in Wisconsin August 8, 
1866. For a little time he remained in that 
State, and then came to Owatonna. In the 
summer of 1867 he came to Waseca, as de- 
tailed elsewhere, and entered into his present 
business. December 14, 1870, he was united 
in marriage with Libbeline Wresloo, a 
native of Indiana. They liave been the 
parents of the following children : Willie, 
Otto, Albert, Freddie, Lydia, John and an 
infant not named. Freddie died in April, 
1885. 

Hon. O. I). Sawin came to Waseca in tlie 
spring of 1883, and helped form the Waseca 



Manufacturing Co., of which he was secretary 
and treasurer until the present company was 
formed, and became the successor of the old 
company. He was then elected to the same 
offices in the furniture company, and now 
has charge of the company's store. He was 
born at Gardner, AVorcester County, Mass., 
April IS, 1834, and is the son of Joseph 
D. and Marcia M. (Scribner) Sawin. He 
started in the dry goods and grocery trade 
in Bald wins vi lie, Mass., where he remained 
in trade for a number of years. He was 
also president of the Templeton Savings 
Bank for some nine years, taking the first 
deposit ever paid in there. In 18S1 he was 
elected to the State Legislature of Massachu- 
setts, from his native county, and took his 
seat therein in January, 1882, and also 
served his constituents at the extra session 
in the fall of that year. In February, 1881, 
his establishment was destroyed by fire, but 
he did not replace his business there upon 
its footing, but came west in the spring of 
1883, as already stated. August 19, 1858, 
he was united in marriage with Martha 
Comee. 

Thomas Flynn established his furniture 
store in the fall of 1886, in connection with 
Mr. Lansing, and they carried on the busi- 
ness until June, 1887, when Mr. Flynn be- 
came the sole proprietor. Mr. Flynn is a 
native of Waukesha County, Wis., born in 
1851. He is the son of Michael and Johanna 
Flynn. Thomas lived with his parents until 
about seventeen years of age, and then went 
to Milwaukee, where he worked at the car- 
penter's trade for four years. He then went 
to Chicago, where he remained one year. 
From there he went to Little Rock, Ark., 
where he stayed two more years, still follow- 
ing the same trade. After a short stay in 
Milwaukee he commenced building and con- 
tracting in his native countj^ where he 
remained until 1877, when he came to Wa- 
seca. Since then he has done considerable 
building throughout tiie county, and still 
contracts in that line. He was united in 



704- 



HISTORY OF WASECA COHNTV. 



marriage in the fall of 1880, with Almira G. 
Healy, of Waseca. They have two children ; 
Robert and Leo. 

Baile}^ & Watkins were the pioneers in 
the hardware line of business, opening their 
store in the building now occupied by P. C. 
Bailey, and erected by him in August, 1867. 
This Arm continued until 1876, when J. M. 
Robertson & Co. bought in, and the above 
firm name was ado))ted. On the death of Mr. 
Robertson, in Januar}', 1885, P. C. Bailey, 
purchasing all the otlier interests, became 
the sole owner of the store. 

Hardware and its various adjuncts is rep- 
resented (1887) by the following named 
firms : P. C. Bailey, Trowbridge & Dale, 
Pugh & Goodman and Krassin ife Boucher. 

The pioneer drug store in the new village 
was started in the fall of 1867 by Strong & 
Wilsey, who removed here from "Wilton as 
soon as the town commenced. After run- 
ning for several years, Fred. Kittredge pur- 
chased the interest of Mr. Wilsey, thus 
forming the firm of Strong & Kittredge, 
wliich lasted until the death of the latter, 
whic!; occurred Januar}'^ i, 1875. He was a 
native of Ohio, born in 18iO, and came to 
this State in 1860. His interest was pur- 
chased by C. A. Wright, and the firm of 
Strong & Wright operated the business until 
April, 1885, when Mr. Wright acquired the in 
terest of his partner and has continued the 
business ever since. The building which he 
now occupies was the original one where 
Strong & Wilsey first opened the stand. 

In 1868 a drug store was established Ijy 
Knappen & Eddy, but in the early part of 
that year Mr. Eddy I'etired from the firm 
and it was run by P. L. Knappen alone until 
January, 1869, when E. P. Latham became 
a partner. On the 1st of January, 1870, 
Mr. Latham bought out his partner and con- 
tinued the business until the year 1876, when 
he disposed of it to Hall & Curamings. John 
Lock purchased the interest of Edward 
Cummings, and the firm of Hall & Lock for 
some time handled the establishment. After 



this Lock purchased the interest of his part- 
ner and ran it until 1885, when he died, when 
Dr. D. S. Cummings ran it about a year, as 
administrator, when it was sold to W. D. 
Belden. the present proprietor. 

In 1876 Middaugh & Tarbell initiated a 
drug store which they continued until April, 
1878, when it was purchased by the present 
proprietors, Sudduth & Preston. The build- 
ing they occupied at that time was located 
opposite the Waseca County bank, but they 
moved into their present quarters in the fall 
of 1886. This firm, composed of H. H. Sud- 
duth and S. H. Preston, carry on quite an 
extensive business in drugs, medicines, fancy 
goods, etc. 

S. H. Preston, of the drug firm of Sudduth 
& Preston, is a native of Vermont, born Sep- 
tember 11, 18-12, and is the son of Lucius and 
Rebecca H. Preston. He remained at home 
until he was eighteen years of age, when he 
enlisted in company G, Fifth Vermont In- 
fantry, under Col. Smalley, and served with 
that gallant band of heroes, through the cam- 
paigns of the army of the Potomac. Septem- 
ber 2i, 1864, he received his discharge, but re- 
enlisted in the First Regiment, of Hancock's 
First Veteran Reserve Corps, and participat- 
ing in all the engagements with that body 
of picked men until the close of the war, 
receiving his final discharge January 24, 
1866. The same j'ear he went to Sheboygan, 
Wis., where he engaged in the drug trade, 
and where he remained one year. He then 
came to tliis county and located in the town 
of Woodville. Five years later he moved 
into Waseca, and has since been a resident, 
engaged in the drug business. October 8, 
1866, he was united in marriage in Sheboy- 
gan, with Emily Durkee. They have a 
family of two children : Josie E. and Lutie, 
both at home. 

A lumber yard was opened by W. W. John- 
son, in 1867, the first in this line. Mr. John- 
son remained in business here for a few years, 
when he sold out to Laii'd, Norton & Co., of 
Winona, the present proprietors. 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



705 



Charles Eckenbeck opened a depot for the 
sale of coal, salt and lumber, in the fall of 
1867, near the depot. 

Williams & Washburn were also among 
the pioneers in the lumber business here, 
locating in the fall of 1867. 

At present the lumber trade is in the hands 
of the following firms : Winona Lumber Co., 
under the management of EUing Johnson ; 
Laird, Norton & Co., under the superinten- 
dency of A. D. Goodman, and the Waseca 
Lumber Co., E. W. Fiske, manager 

The Winona Lumber Company's lumber 
yard was started by J. J. Elliott when Wa- 
seca was but a small village, and was operated 
by him until 1877, when he failed and Will 
Johnson became the proprietor thereof. Five 
years later he sold out to the present pro- 
prietors, who put it under the present man- 
agement. 

EUing Johnson, manager of the Winona 
Lumber Company's yard at Waseca, is a na- 
tive of Norway, who was bcu-n in 184:0. He 
came to the United States when a youth 
of about sixteen and settled in McHenry 
County, 111., where he remained some four 
years, working as a mechanic, and then 
}noved to Dodge County, Minn., where, in 
1861:, he enlisted in Company H, of the 
Eleventh Minnesota Infantry, under Col. 
James B. Gilfillan, and served for one year, 
receiving his discharge at Gallatin, Tenn., 
June 26, 1865. He then returned to Dodge 
County, where for seven years he followed 
farming. In 1876 he took charge of the 
lumber yartl of llorton & Hamilton, at Kas- 
son, that county, and remained there for six 
years, and then moved to this place as above 
stated. He was married while in McHenry 
County, 111., to Miss G. Anderson. 

E. W. Fiske, the manager of the Waseca 
Lumber Company's interests, was born in 
Oneida County, N. Y., March 8, 1851, and 
is the son of John and Elizabeth A. Fiske. 
He remained until he had reached his major- 
ity, and then started west. This was in the 
spring of 1872. lie remained here but a 



short time, going with an engineer corps of 
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad west, 
and remained two years. He then returned 
to Waseca, and engaged in the wheat trade, 
and afterward as book-keeper for the flour- 
ing mill, then operated by W. G. Ward. 
Minneapolis was the next place he went to, 
but only remained there a short time, when 
he returned here and took charge of the 
mill and continued therein some two years. 
He relinquished that and went to the Rocky 
Mountains on an expedition, and while there 
helped to build Fort Custer. Returning 
to Waseca, he took up the business of build- 
ing and contracting, which he followed 
here until 1884, when he removed to Athol, 
D. T., where he was engaged in the same 
business. He then took charge of the Da- 
kota Central Railroad station and express 
business, which he held for about a year, 
and then coming back to Waseca, became 
manager of Robinson & Co.'s lumber yard, 
and when they sold out to the present com 
pany, was continued in the same position. 
December 21, 1880, he was united in mar- 
riage with Kate I. Bailey. They are the 
parents of two children : Avis and Kennith. 

Boots and shoes are sold at present by A. 
Ilayward and several of the general mer- 
chandise dealers. 

Devannah & Reynolds were the pioneer 
livei-ymen of the town, starting here in the 
fall of 1867. 

J. R. Whitman almost immediately after 
opened a stable of the same character. 

The two livery stables are kept at the 
present by George L. Arentsen and Thomas 
Connelly. 

George L. Arentsen, proprietor of one of 
the livery, sale and boai'ding stables, and of 
the omnibus line, is a native of Sheboygan 
County, Wis., born March 16, 1851. He is 
the son of George W. and Lucretia E. (Camp- 
bell) Arentsen, who came to Waseca County 
in 1869, and locating in Woodville Town- 
ship, remained here until 1880, when they 
removed to Jackson County'-, this State. In 



706 



HISTOKY OF \VASE(^A COUNTY. 



1887 they returned to this county and are 
now residents of this city. George L. lived 
with his parents until 1875, when he started 
for .himself and followed farming for two 
years, when he moved to Waseca in the fall 
of 1880 and set up a dray line, and in 1885 
purchased the livery and omnibus business 
of Widger & Knowles. February 28, 1875, 
he was married to Ellen A. Wood. They 
have been the parents of five children : 
Edith M., Guy, Grace E., Roy and Ruth. 
Edith and Ruth are living, but the other 
three died in infancy. 

Thomas Connelly, proprietor of one of 
the livery, boarding and sale stables of AVa- 
seca, is a native of Ireland. He came to 
America in 1850, and for six or seven years 
thereafter, resided in McHenry County, 111. 
From there he removed to Fort Dodge, 
Iowa, where he lived until about 1870, when 
he moved to the State of Nebraska. Six 
years later he returned to Iowa, and located 
in Palo Alto County, where he was engaged 
in the hotel and livery business for four 
years. He came to Waseca, December 9, 
1885, and opened the livery stable which he 
now owns and operates. He was married 
while in Fort Dodge to Kate Owens. They 
are the parents of three children : Joseph 
W., Emelia A. and Zeta. 

Hans J. Lund was the first to embark in 
the jewelry trade in Waseca, opening in the 
building next to the postoffice, in February, 
1868. 

The jewelry trade is well represented by 
Ed. Castor, Oliver Peterson and E. Preston. 
The last named is also engaged in the sale 
of organs and sewing machines. 

A. E. Dearborn was the pioneer of the 
meat-market business in Waseca, setting up 
his establishment there in the autumn of 
1867. This line of business is now in the 
hands of Smith & Myers, C. Fischer and C. 
Nitschke. 

Among those who are identified with the 
grocery and provision business are the fol- 
lowing firms: Johnson & Claghorn. Joseph 



Gatzman, Mr. Simons, Jerome Madden Sr., 
M. B. Keeley and P. J. Dean. 

John W. Johnson, of the firm of Johnson 
& Claghorn, retail grocers and provision 
dealers, was born in Provmcetown, Barn- 
stable County, Mass., March 31, 1832. On 
the sea-girt peninsula of Cape Cod, he grew 
to manhood, and in 1856 he started west to 
Chicago, and from there went to Blooming- 
ton, 111., where he was engaged in various 
pursuits until the fall of that year, when he 
came to Minnesota and located at Faribault, 
where he was employed as a clerk by Fuller 
& Smith. In the spring of 1857 he came to 
the village of St. Mary, in this county, and 
entered into the mercantile trade under the 
firm name of J. W. Johnson & Co. In 1858 
they removed to Wilton, then the county- 
seat, where they erected a new store build- 
ing and opened their stock of goods. There 
Mr. Johnson remained until 1868, when he 
removed to Waseca, where he has since 
remained. In 1871 the partnership between 
him and his brother George was dissolved 
and some time afterward the present firm 
was foi'med. Mr. Johnson was united in 
marriage, June 27, 1866, with Mary A. Mars- 
ton, a native of the " Old Bay State " also. 
They are the parents of two children : 
Edward P. and William M. Mr. Johnson 
is a member of Tuscan lodge, No. 77, An- 
cient Free and Accepted Masons; Waseca 
Chapter, No. 26, Royal Arch Masons, and 
Cyrene Comraandery, No. 9, Knights Tem- 
jilar. 

Joseph Gatzman came to the city of Wa- 
seca early in 1868 and opened a grocery 
store and saloon on the site of his present 
building. He is a native of Baden, Germany, 
born May 1, 1837. He remained in the old 
countiT until 1857, when he came to the 
United States, first locating in Scott County, 
Minn., where he remained until 1861, when 
he removed to Faribault, Rice County. 
While there, in October, 1861, he enlisted in 
Company C, Fourth Minnesota Infantry, 
undei' Col. Sanborn, and served for four 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtTNTY. 



707 



years and nine months. He was in fourteen 
pitched battles, and at Mission Ridge was 
wounded and sent to the hospital. He 
was discharged at Santa Fe, N. Max., and 
returned to Fariljault, where he resided 
until coming to "Waseca in 1868. On the 
14th of March, 1868, he was married to ]\Iiss 
G. Resslier, a native of Michigan City, 
Ind., and they are the parents of three 
children : Emma, Edith and Kate. Mr. 
Gatzman is a member of Lewis McKune 
Post, No. 27, Grand Army of the Republic, 
and of Comee Lodge, No. 25, Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, of the latter of which 
he is the present Vice-Grand. 

H. P. Norton established the first real 
estate office in the village in the fall of 1867, 
coming from Wilton here for that purpose. 

The pioneer dealers in agricultural imple- 
ments and farm tools were Allen <k Dear- 
born, J. W. La Paul and F. H. Miner, all of 
whom commenced operations in February, 
1868. 

This line of tratle is followed now by 
Hawkes & Clement, Krassin & Boucher, 
Parmlee & Wright and Collins Bros. 

Samuel Hawkes, of the firm of Hawkes 
& Clement, agricultural implement dealers, 
is a native of Windham, Cumberland County, 
Me., born September 13, 1838. He is the 
son of Samuel R. and Hannah (Morrill) 
Hawkes, with whom he remained untd 
eighteen years of age, when he started out 
in the world for himself, coming west to 
Iowa in 1856, and to Minnesota the year 
following.' He purchased a claim in Meri- 
den, Steele Count}', on coming to the State, 
from a man by the name of Hatch, and re- 
mained there two years, and then returned 
east again. In 1865 he came back to Steele 
County, and settled on his farm, where he 
lived some nine years. He then sold it and 
bought a place about a mile and a half north 
of Waseca, in this county, where he resided 
until 1883, when he moved to this cit^'. 
He commenced the sale of agricultural im- 
plements in 1878, Mr. Clement becoming a 



partner in 1883. October 1, 1865, Mr. 
Hawkes was united in marriage with Miss 
C. M. Skellings, and they are the parents of 
five children : Hannah, Allan S., Charles M., 
Annie and Julia. 

R. B. and W. B. Wood and A. Zimmer 
were the first blacksmiths and wagon- 
makers, opening places for carrying on that 
trade in the fall of 1867. The trade is in the 
hands of N. J. Breen, P. Bowe, G. A. Ro- 
land, Schlicht & Prechel, W. Kreuzer, A. 
Zimmer and others. 

Nicholas J. Breen was born in the city of 
Dublin, Ireland, January 29, 1830. In the 
spring of 1842, his pai'ents having died, he 
went to live with an uncle living in the 
County Wexford, where he lived seven years, 
and while there commenced learning the 
trade of blacksmith. When he was nineteen 
3'ears of age he came to America, and for 
a short time worked at Binghamton, N. 
Y., but in the fall of 1849 he came west, 
locating in Milwaukee, where he stayed two 
years. He removed in 1851 to Franklin, in 
the same State, where he started a cmithy 
for himself, and there remained until 1868, 
when he came to Waseca, then just started, 
and now is one of the largest manufacturers 
in his line in this section of countrj^ build- 
ing all kinds of wagons and carriages, be- 
sides doing all kinds of regular blacksmith 
work. In 1857 he was united in marriage 
with Rosanna McAnanny, a native of New 
York City. They are the parents of the fol- 
lowing children, all still at home: Margaret 
M., John J., Thomas Francis M., Agnes C, 
Rose Mary and Alice. The family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church. 

The Waseca Plow Works was established 
by P. A. Bowe in 1882, who still carries on 
the business, making a specialty of making 
and repairing plows for local trade. 

Patrick A. Bowe is a native of Milwaukee, 
Wis., born May 1, 1853. He remained in 
that city until 1867, when he came to Waseca 
with his parents, Dennis and Ellen Bowe, 
who settled in the town of Blooming Grove. 



708 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Patrick lived with them until 1873, when he 
commenced to learn the trade of blacksmith, 
and after serving a three-years' apprentice- 
sliip, worked at the trade until 1882, when 
he started for himself in his present business. 

In the fall of 1867 the first milliner_y es- 
tablishment was opened bj' Miss C. A. Jones. 
The business is represented to-day (Septem- 
ber, 1887,) by Mrs. Myrick, Anna Macklin 
and C. Sutter. Miss Forbes and the Misses 
Swift do dressmaking and millinery. 

During the summer of 1869 the brewery 
was established, and the building erected by 
Edward and Samuel Ginsberg. It is op- 
erated at the jiresent writing by Anthony 
Guyer. 

Anthony Guyer came to Waseca in May, 
1883, and first engaged in the saloon busi- 
ness. Later, he and John Beierwalter formed 
a partnership and now are carrying on a 
saloon in -this city. In March, 1886, he 
rented the brewery here and has since that 
time carried on that business. He brews 
some twenty to twenty-five barrels of beer 
per week, most of wliich he sells here, al- 
though he ships some to other points. He 
is a native of Boiiemia, Austria, born Janu- 
ary 7, 1860, but was brought to America 
when but nine years of age by his parents, 
who first settled in Oshkosh, Wis., where 
they remained one year and then removed 
to Janesville, this county, where they still 
live. Anthony remained with them until he 
was twentj^-one years of age, when he be- 
came bartender for William Kleeman, of 
Janesville, and remained in that village until 
1883, when he came to Waseca. He was 
married September 20, 1883, to Carrie Man- 
ker, a native of Prussia. They have two 
children : William and George. 

A brickyard was also established in the 
immediate vicinit\' of tiie village in April, 
1868, by M. S. Green, and bricks supplied 
to those in the new town that used them. 

The Waseca Iron Works is one of the manu- 
facturing institutions of the city, and does a 
large amount of business in its line. Cast- 



ings of any and all kinds are made here. It 
is operated by Crane & Veness. This was 
established by Paddock about the year 1877. 

Bowe & Fairchild are running a feedmill 
put up in 1887. 

A. II. Ranney is engaged in the sale of 
books, stationery, papers, wall paper, fancy 
articles, etc. 

As soon as the town had started, H. P. 
Norton brought over here the agency for 
the American Express Com])any, and was the 
pioneer express agent of this town. The 
company still has its agency at Waseca, 
under the management of J. B. Hayden, a 
sketch of whom has been given in Chapter 
VIII. 

The United States Express agency was es- 
tablished December 1, 1884, with A. G. 
Bush as the first agent. The business is 
still in the hands of the same accommodating, 
genial gentleman. 

A. G. Bush is a native of West Virginia, 
born September 27, 1848. He is the son of 
Abraham and Rachel (Gofi') Bush, and re- 
mained at home with them until March 14, 
1867, when he moved to Texas, but only re- 
mained there about a j'ear, when he went to 
Lee's Summit, Jackson County, Mo. There 
he stayed a short time, and then returned to 
the " Lone Star State," but six months later 
again trod Missouri soil. September 27, 
1870, he started for Minnesota, and on ar- 
rival here settled in AA'^aseca, where he com- 
menced as clerk in a hotel. In the winters 
of 1871-2 and 1872-3 he was tiie village 
night watchman, having been appointed to 
tliat ofiice. In 1873 he entered the store of E. 
Preston as clerk, where he remained a year 
or two. In 1876 he opened a restaurant, 
which he carried on for about three years, 
and then sold out and was made baggage- 
master on the Ciiicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road. In the spring of 1880 he returned to 
tliis city, where for eighteen months he was 
engaged as janitor of the schoolhouse and 
other occupations, and then entered the store 
of Mr. Preston again, where lie remained 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



ro9 



until 1884, when he was appointed United 
States Express agent. In January, 1876, he 
was married to Ida Ta^'lor, of Rochester, 
Minn. 

C. E. Lewis and P. H. Swift were the 
pioneers of the legal fraternity, locating 
here in Februar}^ 1868, in an office over the 
McVeigh store. There are now eight attor- 
neys in the city, as follows : E. B. CoUester, 
P. McGovern, Lewis Bi'ownell, S. D. Crump, 
B. S. Lewis, C. E. Leslie, W. D. Abbott and 
John Moonan, nearly all of wliom are men- 
tioned in the chapter devoted to tiie bench 
and bar. 

The first physicians to locate in the rising 
young village were H. J. Young and C. T. 
Peck. The medical profession is represented 
at the present writing by Drs. H. J. Young, 
D. S. Cummings, George Christie, A. M. 
Hutchinson, F. A. Swartwood. M. V. Hunt. 

H. J. Young, M. D., the pioneer physician 
of the city of Waseca, and one of the leading 
ones of the county, came to this place in 
the fall of 1867, when there were but few 
buildings here. He is a native of Windsor 
County, Vt., born June 9, 1831. He re- 
mained in that place until he was some 
twenty-four years old, receiving his prelimi- 
nary education in the excellent schools of his 
native town. In 18.51 he commenced the 
study of medicine with Dr. E. A. Knight, 
of Springfield, Vt. He attended one course 
of lectures at Woodstock, Vt., and then went 
to Pittsfield, wliere he spent another term 
at the Berkshire Medical College, and then 
returned to AVoodstock and graduated from 
the college at that place, in June, 1854. For 
about eighteen months thereafter he prac- 
ticed his profession with Dr. Knight, his pre- 
ceptor. He then removed to Temple, N. IL, 
where he spent a year in practice, and then, 
taking the advice of Horace Greeley, came 
west and settled in Sheboygan, Wis., where 
he was engaged in the duties of his profession 
until 1862, when he was commissioned as 
assistant sui'geon of the First Wisconsin 
Cavalry, and proceeded with them to the 



front. After a year's service he was com- 
pelled to resign on account of sickness, and 
returned to Sheboygan, where he remained 
until tlie fall of 1864, when he accepted the 
commission of surgeon of the Forty-seventh 
Wisconsin Infantry, but was detailed as ex- 
amining surgeon at Madison, where he re- 
mained until spring, when he rejoined the regi- 
ment. On the close of hostilities and discharge 
of the regiment, lie was placed in charge of 
the general hospital at Tullahoma, Tenn., 
where he remained until he had discharged all 
the ]iatients, and had advertised and sold out 
the entire equipment to the people of that 
country, having as guard there at the time a 
part of acolored regiment only. Before he left 
there, it is no more than justice to say that 
he was offered a surgeon's commission in the 
regular army, being warmly recommended 
thereto by high officials, but declined tlie 
honor. He then returned to Sheboygan, 
where he remained in medical practice until 
coming here in 1867. In January, 1855, he 
was united in marriage with Lucy II. Pres- 
ton. They are the parents of two children : 
Carl H., deputy county auditor, and John C, 
late of Curtis' Business College, St. Paul. 

M. V. Hunt, M. D., one of the leading 
physicians of Waseca, was born in Darke 
County, Ohio, in 1848, and received his early 
education in Anderson, Ind., where his 
parents removed when he was yet a child. 
He pursued his studies in Earlham College 
at Richmond, Ind., from which he graduated 
in 1867. He then matriculated at the medi- 
cal college of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which 
he graduated March 4, 1872, and commenced 
practice at Anderson, Ind. After a few 
months he removed to Janesville, Waseca 
County, Minn., and tiiere remained about 
eighteen months and then came to the city 
of Waseca, where he has resided ever since, 
and where he has a large and growing prac- 
tice. In the fall of 1879 Dr. Hunt was elected 
to fill the office of county superintendent 
of schools, and filled that jiosition for two 
vears to tlie satisfaction of all. A man of 



710 



HISTORY OF WASECA CODNTT. 



great natural ability, heightened by a su- 
perior education, as the head of the educa- 
tional department of the county government 
he \vas in his proper sphere, and but for his 
practice he should have been continued in 
that office. In March, 1876, he was united in 
marriage with Addie A. Andrews, who died 
in Juh', 1887, leaving one child, Montague 
Volney. The Doctor is at present the county 
coroner. 

A. M. Hutchinson, M. D., the onl}^ homeo- 
pathic physician in Waseca, was born in Le- 
Roy, Genesee County, N. Y., in 1847. 
When he was but^ live years of age the fam- 
ily removed to Fond du Lac, Wis., and there 
he was reared. In 1867 he came to Austin, 
Minn. He commenced the study of medi- 
cine at an early age, he having a natural 
bent in that direction, and later attending 
the Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago, 
graduated from that institution, one of the 
best in the United States, and in 1877 
commenced the practice of medicine. He 
came to the city of Waseca in April, 1885, 
and already has a large and inci'easing prac- 
tice. While attending college, it is a matter 
of record that he took the first prizes on 
the theoiy and practice of medicine, and on 
diseases of the heart and lungs. In 1872 he 
was united in marriage with Libbie P. Otis, 
a native of Wisconsin. They have been the 
parents of five children : Eva M., deceased ; 
Edith A., deceased ; Mabel P., Harry and 
Clarence. The Doctor is a member of the 
Minnesota Homeopathic Institute, and also 
of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. 

Dr. Mcintosh came to Waseca in 1867 
and remained here until 1880. He was a 
native of Bethel, Vt., and studied medicine 
with Dr. William Huntingdon, of Eochester, 
that State. He was also a graduate of 
the medical college at Castleton, Vt., 
and moved to Sheboygan, Wis., in 1860, 
which year he married Rebecca Preston. 
When Dr. Young entered the army, Mcin- 
tosh took charge of his patients, but when the 
former was appointed surgeon of the Forty- 



seventh Wisconsin, 



assistant surgeon 



Dr. Mcintosh became 
He has invented some 
useful articles for the medical fraternity. 

Drs. M. M. Davidson and E. A. Lyman 
Jr. are engaged in the practice of dentistry. 

Besides those mentioned as being in busi- 
ness, there are in Waseca at the present time 
the following representatives of various busi- 
nesses : G. A. Smith and C. Weyrauch, mer- 
chant tailors ; R. Reichel, paints, oils, etc. ; 
Anhorn & Butsch, A. E. Wollschlaeger 
and others, harness-makers ; C. Anderson, 
John Guttteisch and others, shoemakers ; Ira 
Horton, marble works ; C. C. Orange, Gus. 
Schildknect and Thomas Gillfoyle, cigar 
manufacturers ; Adolf Witt, Gus. Schildknect, 
L. Maire, and Thomas Gillfoyle, restaurants. 

Robert Reichel, who is the house and sign 
painter of the city of Waseca, is also the pro- 
prietor of a paint and oil store, where is kept 
all manner of ]iainters' material, either for 
house painting or for artists' uses. He came 
to Waseca in 1881, and in 1882 put in a paint 
shop, although he commenced working at his 
trade when he first located in the place. In 
1887 he opened his present place of business, 
with a full and complete stock, paints, oils, 
varnishes, brushes, etc. He is a native of 
Germany, born in 1857. He remained in his 
fatherland until he was about twenty-four 
years of age, when he immigrated to this 
country, coming direct to Waseca, where he 
has since remained. His wife was Mar}^ Bee- 
man, of this county, previous to their marriage 
which took place in 1884. 

The pioneer hotel was the Trowbridge 
House, erected in the summer and fall of 

1867, and opened by Ira C. Trowbridge, the 
original owner of the town plat, in the fall of 
the same year. It was a frame building, two 
stories high. Mr. Trowbridge kept the house 
until April following, when it passed into 
the hands of J. B. Reynolds. In November, 

1868, it was again kept by Mr. Trowbridge, 
but some time thereafter it was closed, and 
never used for hotel purposes again. 

The Vincent House was another pioneer 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



711 



hotel, erected in the fall of 1867 by H. Vin- 
cent, on the corner of Second and Wood 
street. On its completion it was thrown 
open to the traveling public by the owner, 
as host. The building was 55x(50 feet in size, 
and cost about $3,000. Mr. Vincent, in the 
spring of 1871 sold the place to M. E. Priest, 
who ran it for some years ; finally it was cut 
up into various rooms, and rented to several 
parties, and is now occupied by saloon, meat- 
market, cigar factory, etc. 

The house now known as the Stevens House, 
on "Wood street, opposite tlie postoffice, was 
erected in 1867 also. Its first landlord was 
Daniel Grover. 

The Waseca House, now so called, was 
erected in the fall of 1867, and under the 
name of the Clear Lake House, ran for a 
short time under the management of " Doc" 
La Dow. The Traveller's Home was another 
hotel south of the track, in the winter of 
1867, kept by Augustus Gruhlke. 

The hotel business is well represented in 
the city of Waseca, the following being 
the list of the various ones running in 1887: 
Grant House, Sheridan House, Stevens House, 
Arcade Hotel, Waseca House, Clayton House, 
Nora House, Crystal Hotel, Minnesota 
House, and railroad eating house. 

The Grant House, the leading hotel of the 
city, was erected in 1882. In the spring of 
that year a few of the leading, public-spirited 
citizens raised a bonus of $5,000 to induce 
some one to put up a first-class hotel. That 
amount and the site upon which to erect the 
edifice were given to W. L. Grant, he agree- 
ing to put up a hotel building to cost $15,000 
or more. Too much praise can hardl}^ be 
given to the citizens who inaugurated this 
enterprise and gave so liberally from their 
funds, especially Ira C. Trowbridge, who 
donated the site, which was part of the block 
reserved for his family residence, and some 
$1,500, besides. The building was con- 
structed by Mr. Grant, with Mr. Maybury, 
of Winona, as architect, and Craig & Davis, 
contractors. It is located on the corner of 



Second street and Lake avenue, having a 
length on the former of eighty feet, and on 
the latter of seventy -four feet. It is a brick 
veneered building, three stories high, with a 
handsome veranda surrounding it on two 
sides. It contains about forty sleeping- 
rooms, parlors, sample-rooms, reading and 
baggage-room, office and reception-room, 
kitchen, dining-room, etc., and is supplied 
with all the modern conveniences. W. L. 
Grant is still the proprietor. 

Maurice S. Collins, the proprietor of the 
Ai'cade Hotel, was born in Wayne County, 
Ohio, in 1832. When he was some fifteen 
years of age he came to Milwaukee, Wis., 
with his parents, and entered tlie employ of 
the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Kailroad 
Company, and later on that of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Eailroad Company. He came 
to Waseca in the fall of 1867, and ran a con- 
struction train, aiding in building the road 
fi'om here to Watertown. He subsequently 
was in the employ of the Minneapolis & St. 
Louis Eailroad Company. In 1881 he built 
the structure known as the Arcade Hotel 
near the Union depot, which he has kept 
in good style since then. Although bred 
a railroad man, or perhaps because of that 
he makes a most excellent host, and his hos- 
tehy is well patronized by the traveling pub- 
lic. The building is new and well furnished 
throughout, and affords the comforts of a 
home to the wayfarer. Mr. Collins was 
married in 1863 to Margaret Ahern, and they 
are the parents of three children, living : 
Maurice, liosella and Mary A. 

The railroad eating house was started as 
a lunch counter only, but in November, 1885, 
it was purchased by W. C. Wentworth, who 
added largely to the building and now has a 
complete dining-room and one of tlie finest 
lunch counters on the lines of the Chicago & 
Northwestern or Minneapolis & St. Louis 
railroads. 

W. C. Wentworth was born in Jefferson 
County, Wis., December 22, 1845, and re- 
mained in the county of his birth until Sep- 



712 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



tember, 1862, when he enlisted in Company 
H, Twenty-first Wisconsin Infantry, under 
Col. Hobart, and remained with that regi- 
ment for three years. They were in service 
in the army of the Cumberland, and were 
with Gen. Sheniian in his famous march 
to the sea, and Mr. Wentworth participated 
in some twenty battles. In the spring of 
1865 he was taken ])risoner on the line be- 
tween North and South Carolina, and for a 
short time languished in Libby prison, in 
Richmond, Va., but was released just before 
the surrender of Gen. Lee, at Appomattox. 
Returning from the front, he entered the 
employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road, and after that went to Atchison, Kan., 
where he remained some four years and then 
returned to the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad Company again, with whom he has 
spent some sixteen years of liis life as con- 
ductor. He then came to this place and 
started in his present business. He was mar- 
ried in Janesville, August 10, ISTl, to> Mary 
E. Moran, and they have a family of four 
children : Guy, Gertrude. Addie and John. 

HANKS. 

The pioneer banking institution in the 
city of Waseca was that of Mills & Follett, 
who occupied a two-story building on Second 
street, put up and owned by George L. Tar- 
bell. They came here and commenced oper- 
ation in the fall of 1867, but in January, 

1868, discontinued the business and removed 
to other climes. 

About the same time that they removed 
from Waseca, Baldwin & Kittredge brought 
their bank from Wilton to this place, and 
commenced business. Everything seemed 
prosperous until on the 29th of January, 

1869, it became known that the firm was 
bankrupt. William Everett was made assignee 
(jf the assets of the defunct firm, and did 
the best he could for the interests of the 
creditors. The building occupied b}' Bald- 
win & Kittredge was the small one now 
used as an office by Hawkes & Clement, 



but which at that time stood on the site of 
the present Bank of Waseca building. 

A bank was next opened by Kinyon Bros, 
at this place on the 2-J:th of August, 1870. 
The bank was broken into b^' bui'.glars, who 
blew open the safe by means of gunjiowder 
and rifled it of about $3,000. Some little 
time after this the firm wound up its busi- 
ness at this point. This bank was located in 
a one-story building which stood where the 
People's Bank now stands. 

George W. Newell, of Faribault, and his 
brother, Frank A. Newell, who had been in 
Waseca about a year, on the 28th of Febru- 
ary, 1872, opened a banking establishment in 
the building north of the courthouse, on 
Second street. This continued until January, 
1875, when it was merged into the corpora- 
tion known as the Waseca County Bank, 
an institution organized under the laws and 
chartered as a State bank with a capital of 
$25,000. The incorporators were the fol- 
lowing named individuals : P. C. Bailey, 
G. W. Watkins, J. W. Johnson, William 
Everett, R. M. Addison, Charles Ecken- 
beck, G. P. Johnson, Lewis Brownell, 
W. H. Young Sr., C. A. Wright, Edward 
Bennett, J. E. Child, G. W. Comee, J. A. 
Claghorn, N. Garland, N. E. Strong, H. A. 
Mosher, E. G. Wood, H. Vincent, Josepii 
Gatzraan, S. S. Phelps. E. H. Gosper, Kelsey 
Curtis and F. A. Newell, all of Waseca 
County, and L. Emmet, L. R. Weld, K. B. 
Braley, F. A. Berry, H. Wilson, T. B. Clem- 
ent, A. Renslow, J. W. Parmeter, H. M. 
Matteson, AV. B. Brown, and G. W. Newell, 
of Faribault. G. W. Newell was elected 
president ; F. A. Newell, cashier ; II. M. Mat- 
teson, W. B. Brown, L. Emmet, P. C. Bailey 
J. W. Johnson, R. M. Addison, S. S. Phelps, 
J. A. Claghorn and E. G. Wood, directors. 
The bank built the edifice now occupied by 
the People's Bank, on Second street, into 
which they moved on its completion. It 
continued in successful operation until the 
summer of 1885, when it went into liquida- 
tion, and winding up its business, surren- 



HISTdKT OF WASECA COUNTY. 



713 



dered its charter on the 1st of Janiuuy, 
1886. The building was sold at that time 
to "W. G. Ward, who is still the owner. 

The People's Bank was organized in Decem- 
ber, 1880, with the following named stock- 
holders: W. G. Ward, C. II. Smith, A. F. 
Kelly, I. A. Buckman, Mrs. W. G. Ward, E. 

B. Collester, M. Madden, E. M. Broughton, 
W. J. Jemeson, M. A. Green and C. M. Starr. 
The first officers were : G. R. Buckman, 
president ; A. F. Kelly, vice-president ; C. 
H. Smith, cashier , and A. F. Kelly, W. G. 
Ward, G. R. Buckman, E. M. Broughton and 

C. H. Smith, directors. The building occu- 
pied by them at fii'st was about the center 
of the block, near where they are now lo- 
cated. The capital was at that time |25,000, 
but, in 1881, this sum was increased to 
$40,000. The present stockholders are as 
follows : G. R. Buckman, C. Taylor, Mary 
E. Mathews, Joseph Clayton, C. M. Starr, C. 
H. Parker, M. Madden, O. D. Sawin, Joseph 
Haight, H. H. Sudduth, M. A. Green, E. B. 
Collester, W. G. Ward, L. L. Wood, C. E. 
Graham, I. A. Buckman, Willard Baker, M. 
A. Wilson, G. W. Fish, Mrs. W. G. Ward, 
John Byron, J. H. Jenkins and A. F. Kelly. 
The present officers are : W. G. Ward, 
president ; O. D. Sawin, vice-president, and 
George R. Buckman, cashier. 

The Bank of Waseca was founded by C. 
Hardin & Sons, in June, 1874, in a building 
that at that time occupied the site of the pres- 
ent one, with A. P. Jamison asmanager, com- 
ing here from Kasson, Dodge County, Minn. 
The firm at present consists of C. Hardin, 
president of the Second National Bank at 
Monmouth, 111.; C. D. Hardin, J. D. K. 
Smith, who is manager of the City Bank at 
Eldora, Iowa, also belonging to this firm, 
and A. P. Jamison. The individual respon- 
sibility of the members of the firm reaches 
the enormous sum of $600,000. The build- 
ing now occupied by them was erected in 
1882, by W. G. Ward. 

A. P. Jamison is a native of Henderson 
County, 111., and is the son of William R. and 



Margaret (Giles) Jamison. He first attended 
the Madison College at Antrim, Ohio, after 
receiving his preliminar)' education at home. 
Later he attended the Knox College at Gales- 
burg, 111., but graduated from Monmouth 
College, Monmouth, 111. When he was 
twenty-three years of age he entered the 
hardware store of C. Hardin & Sons, at 
Monmouth, and remained with them some 
five years, and then went to St. Louis, Mo., 
where he was the secretary and treasurer of 
the Missouri Granite Company for one year, 
and then returned to Monmouth. The year 
following he came to Waseca and started the 
present bank, where he now is. Mr. Jamison 
was married in Henderson County, 111., Sep- 
tember 18, 1860, to Miss A. Hardin. They 
have a family of eight children : Harry, 
Hattie, Arthur C, Flora M., William R., 
Nellie, Earl P. and RoscoeC. Hattie is now 
the wife of Charles E. Hasey and lives in 
Minneapolis, the others live with their par- 
ents. 

POSTOFFICE. 

The mail facilities are among the first 
things to be attended to in anv new com- 
munity, and especially so if it is a mercan 
tile or commercial one. Hardly had Waseca 
started before the postoffice was established 
with G. N. Taylor as postmaster. He con- 
tinued in office until 1876, when he was 
succeeded by Maj. W. C. Young, the pres- 
ent probate judge of the county, who held 
the position until March, 1886, when he gave 
way to his successor, Dennis McLoughlin, 
the present efficient and genial incumbent 
of the office. His commission is dated 
March 29, 1886, and bears the signature of 
the present president of the United States. 

This was made a money order office in 
July, 1879, the first order drawn bearing the 
date of the 14th of that montli. It was 
issued to W. W. Satterlee, of Waseca, for 
$17.45, and made payable to I. F. A. Stud- 
dart, of St. Paul. 

Dennis McLoughlin, the present post- 
master of Waseca, and senior member of the 



714 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



firm of McLoughlin Bros., general mer- 
chants, came to this city in the spring of 
1878, and, purcliasing the interest of A. E. 
Dearborn, in the firm of Dearborn & Haley, 
formed the new firm of Haley & McLough- 
lin. Two years later he purchased the 
interest of his partner, and carried on tlie 
business alone until 1884, when he sold a 
one-tiiird interest in the same to his brother, 
Tiiomas F., and the present firm formed. 
He is a native of Ireland, born about 1850 
and was brought to this country by his 
parents, Dennis and Judith McLoughlin, 
when but about eighteen months old. The 
family first settled in Clinton, Oneida 
County, N. Y., where they lived until Sep- 
tember, 1802, when tliey came to Minnesota, 
locating in Faribault, Rice County, for a 
time, and then removed to Cannon City, in 
the same county, where they still live. He 
lived witli his parents, and acquired an edu- 
cation by going to school during the winters 
and worked on his father's farm in summers 
from 1867 to 1870. In January, 1871, he 
entered the hardware store of J. W. Wood, 
of Faribault, where he remained a year. 
After that he followed teaching in the 
winter months and acting: as clerk durin»- 
the summers until 1877, when he was united 
in marriage with Emily Haley, of Waseca, 
and a year later came here as told above. 
May 3, 1881, at the first election iield under 
tiie city charter, Mr. McLoughlin was elected 
alderman from the second ward. In March, 
188C, he was ajipointed to his present office 
of postmaster, he being a stanch Democrat 
in politics, always voting the straight ticket. 
Mr. and Mrs. McLoughlin are the parents of 
four children, all girls : Annie, Katie, Ger- 
trude and Emma. 

OTHER BUSINESS INTERESTS AND BUSINESS MEN. 

The Winona & St; Peter Railroad round- 
iiouse and repair shops were erected at 
Waseca in the fall of 1881, at a cost to the 
company of some $80,000. They are situ- 
ated west of the city, near the south bank of 



Loon Lake and witliin the city limits. The 
round-house is quite large and commodious, 
having stalls for twenty engines. The re- 
pair shops are well equipped to do all the 
light repairing that is sent to this point, al- 
though much might yet be added in machin- 
ery to make it complete. Fifty men are 
given steady employment here in this line. 
In connection with the shops the railroad 
company has here very extensive wood and 
coal yards, supplying all engines running be- 
tween Winona and Tracy. The old round- 
house, built at the time of the first coming 
iiere of the railroad, is in the eastern part of 
the city, and is now used as a car. repair 
shop. The pay roll at tiie various shops 
here averages about $3,000 monthly. 

H. J. Gerlicher is a native of Cleveland, 
Ohio, born in 1859, and is the son of J. F. 
and Eva Gerlicher, who were both natives of 
Germany. They came to the United States 
in 1855, and resided in Cleveland until about 
1865, when they removed to Winona, Minn., 
where the father was employed as general 
foreman in the shops of the Winona <k St. 
Peter Railroad. He remained there for 
some six or seven years and then came to 
Waseca, where he had charge of the shops 
of the same company, and remained about 
three years, when he moved to Marshall, 
Lyon County, where he looked after the re- 
pair shops of the railroad there. Later he 
returned to Winona, where he now resides. 
H. J. remained at home until some fourteen 
years of age wlien he entered the railroad 
shops at Winona. A year later he was sent 
to Lyon County, to the town of Marshall, in 
the railroad shops there, but in six months 
came to Waseca. He remained in the shops 
here, under his father, wlio then had charge 
for two years, and then went on tiie road as 
hreman, which he followed for about eigli- 
teen months and then returned to the 
Winona shops. He after this was on the 
road as fireman ag'ain. At the ajje of nine- 
teen he took charge of an engine as engineer 
and continued as such for two years, and 



.^icrS -y^^ 





)A^€^i 



HISTORY OF WASECA (lODNTY. 



717 



then took charge of the engine in the saw- 
mill of the Winona Lumber Company, which 
lie ran for a year or so. Then once more 
upon the road as locomotive engineer. In 
18S:i he was put in chai'ge of the shops at 
Waseca, when but twenty -three years of age. 
He was married in ISSl to Rosie Lauer, of 
Winona. They have one child. 

M. R. Pierce was born in Walworth 
County, Wis., in 1848. He is the son of 
Daniel and Louisa (Bromaghin) Pierce, who 
came to Waseca County in 1864. He re- 
mained with his parents until he was twenty- 
one years old, helping woi'k the farm. He 
then commenced farming for himself, which 
he followed until 1879, when he had his arm 
injured in a thrashing machine and had to 
relinquish farming. That fall he moved to 
the city of Waseca, and the following spring 
commenced the sale of agricultural imple- 
ments, musical instruments and sewing ma- 
chines, and continued that business until Octo- 
ber, 1881, when he entered the employ of the 
Winona & St. Peter Railroad, in tlie repair 
shops here, remaining here until 1884, in dif- 
ferent branches of the work. He then was 
given charge of the machine shop, where he 
now is. He was married October 16, 1869, 
to Alma J. Woodward. They have a family 
of four children : Charles A., Clarence, Car- 
rie and Frank. 

Waseca Furnitui'e Co. is the outgrowth of 
a furniture store started in 1867 by George 
W. Comee, who at that time erected a build- 
ing on the lot where Andrew Johnson's store 
now stands. William C. Young soon after 
entered into partnersliip, and the firm of 
Coraee & Young continued for two or 
three years, when the latter sold out to M. 
H. Helms. Comee & Helms renuxined in 
business until 1873, when the junior partner 
disposed of his interest to Samuel Comee, 
thus forming the firm of Comee Bros. 
In November, 1882, a stock company was 
formed by them and others called the 
Waseca Manufacturing Company, to make 
coffins, caskets, etc., but that not proving a 

41 



successful venture, in January, 1886, a new 
company was formed, called the Waseca 
Furniture Comj^any, with Warren Smith, C. 
A. Wright, O. D. Sawin and George W. 
Comee, as stockholders. They have a ca- 
pacious factory, where they make all kinds 
of furniture, on the line of the Minneapolis 
& St. Louis Railroad, and a large retail store 
on the main business street. 

George W. Comee, one of the members cf 
the Waseca Furniture Company, is a native 
of Henderson, Jefferson County, N. Y., and 
was born June 9, 1838. He resided in the 
place of his birth with his parents until 1864, 
when he went to Ashburnhara, Mass., where 
he made his residence for some three years. 
In the spring of 1867, the western fever 
seizing him, he, taking the advice of the ven- 
erable Horace Greeley, came to Minnesota, 
and the new town of Waseca seeming to 
meet his views as a proper location, he en- 
gaged here in the furniture trade as detailed 
in the history of the city. He has since 
that time been fully identified with the 
mercantile and manufacturing interests of 
this thriving young city, and is ever ready 
to do his part toward advancing its interests. 
December 26, 1877, he was united in mar- 
riage with Mrs. Elizabeth L. Ivittredge, a 
native of Cleveland, Ohio, who was the 
mother of three girls : Mary Abbie, married 
September 28, 1887, to Henry S. Kennedy, 
of St. Peter; Laura E. and Jessie C. Mr. 
Comee is a member of Tuscan Lodge, No. 
77, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; 
Waseca Chapter, No. 26, Royal Arch Masons ; 
Comee Lodge, No. 25, and Golden Rule En- 
campment, No. 13, Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. 

The first wheat buying was for the new 
elevator, which was built by the Winona & 
St. Peter Railroad, south of the track in 
1867. This building afterward passed into 
the hands of a party from Winona, and 
from them to Bonner & Wheeler in 1876, 
who two years afterward sold it to Mc- 
Cutchen & Co., the present owners. George 



718 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



Tallen, the junior member of the firm, is the 
manager here. The capacity of the building 
is about 30,000 bushels. 

The next party to buy grain at this place 
was probably George L. TarbeU, who put up 
a warehouse here in the latter part of the 
summer of 1867, and commenced the buying 
and shipment of wheat for G. W. Van Dusen 
& Co., of "Winona, at once. Mr. Tarbell died 
at Waseca, Marcii 13, 18(58, the first death in 
the place. 

The elevator on the north side of the track 
was built as a grain warehouse by the 
grange in 1876, and used by them for about 
a year, when it was sold to P. C. Bailey, 
who after using it, in the fall of 1878, sold it 
to George W. Van Dusen & Co., the present 
owners. By the latter it was converted into 
an elevator in 1886. It has a present capac- 
ity of 8,000 bushels. Nicholas Jacobs is the 
manager here. 

Nicholas Jacobs came to Waseca County 
in 1870. and for a short time worked on a 
farm in Woodville Township. In 1874 he 
came to this city and commenced buying 
wheat, and has been in that business nearly 
all the time since. For the past nine years 
he has had charge of that business here for 
Van Dusen it Co., of Rochester, Minn. He 
is a native of Germany, born in 1851. and 
came to America when but sixteen years of 
age, first making his home in Kane County, 
111., remaining with one party there for 
three years. He came here when but nine- 
teen years old. He was married in 1882 to 
Dora Pester. 

The elevator operated by Everett, Aughen- 
baugh & Wooil was erected b}' the Millei-s' 
Association, of Minneapolis, and run by 
them until 1883, when it was purchased by 
the present proprietors. It has a present 
capacity of 35,0u0 bushels. Eri G. Wood 
is the managing partner. 

The wai'ehouse near the last named ele- 
vator was put up in 1887 bj* W. D. Arm- 
strong, the present owner. 

W. D. Armstrong came to Waseca County 



in 1861, and took up a claim on section 1, 
Freedom Township, wliere he moved his 
family in 1866. They resided there until 
1883, when he came to Waseca City and 
purchased a small place adjoining the town 
site, where he now lives. In the summer of 
1887 he put up a grain warehouse, in the 
interest of the Waseca County Farmers 
Alliance, which he will operate in the near 
future. He is a native of Canada West, 
born in 1826, and is the son of John and 
Martha Armstrong, both natives of England, 
who emigrated from Great Britain in an 
early da}-. W. D. lived in Canada until he 
was twenty-three years old, when he re- 
moved to the " States," and settled in Wayne 
Count}', Ohio, where he resided some six 
years, three of which he was engaged in 
the mercantile trade. In 1856 he moved to 
St. Anthony, Minn., then but a small village, 
and Minneapolis scarcely anything. Two 
years later he left there, moving to Oamden, 
Carver County, and was one of those who 
organized and established that village. He 
took up a claim in that county, and made 
the necessar}' improvements, and lived there 
for two years, but his wife's health failing 
he returned to Minneapolis to be within 
reach of medical aid. There he remained 
until 1864, when he came here, as mentioned 
above. He was married at St. Thomas, 
Canada, to Miss Kinney, who died in Min- 
neapolis, leaving one son, Benjamin, who 
now lives on his father's place in Freedom 
Township. In 1866 Mr. Armstrong was 
married to Margaret O'Neill, of Hennepin 
County, at Faribault, Rice County. They 
have one son, WiUiam J. 

The elevator north of the Minneapolis ct 
St. Louis Railroad station was built about 
1879, by J. M. Robertson and P. C. Bailey, 
as a warehouse. Three years later it was 
converted into an elevator. The widow of 
J. M. Robertson owns an undivided half 
mterest in the building, and P. C. Bailey the 
other half. Capacit}', 15,000 bushels. 

M. H. Helms is a native of Cattaraugus 



HISTOliY OF WASKCA COUNTY. 



719 



County, N. Y., born December 19, 1831, and 
is the son of Henry and Mahala Abbie 
Helms. In 1815 the famil}' removed to Wis- 
consin, settling in Dane County, near Madi- 
son, where Mr. Helms remained with his 
parents until the breaking out of the war in 
1861, when he enlisted in Company E, 
Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, and was com- 
missioned second lieutenant. The regiment 
at that time was under the command of 
Col. Murph\^ Lieut. Helms served in the 
army for three years and four months, en- 
joying all the various fortunes and partici- 
pating in different engagements in which 
that famous regiment took part. Among 
the principal battles were: Fredericktown, 
Mo., Island No. 10, Corinth, and others. 
He was mustered out at Nashville, Decem- 
ber 12, 1865, and, receiving his discharge, 
returned to Wisconsin, where he remained 
until 1868, when he came to Waseca, and 
entered into partnership with G. W. Comee 
in the furniture business, and continued in 
that line for about seven years, when he sold 
out his interest and for the following five 
years carried on a grocery store. Since that 
time he has been in the business of bu^'ing 
and shipping wheat. November 30, 1870, 
M. H. Helms and Eleanor M. Dodge were 
united in marriage, and were the ])arents of 
two children : Vinnie M. and Jessie E. 
Mrs. Helms died June 30, 1877. Mr. Helms 
is a member of Comee Lodge, No. 25, Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Lewis 
McKune Post, No. 27, Grand Army of the 
Eepublic, of which he is tlie present com- 
mander. 

Ward's Opera House was erected about the 
year 1875, by the Turners' association of 
Waseca. It was used by them for gymnas- 
tic exercises, and for an amusement hall, 
until 1880, when it became the property of 
W. G. Ward, who made additions to the 
building and fitted it up in a proper manner 
for a place of holding meetings, for tiieatri- 
cal performances and amusements generally. 
It is located on lots 1, 2 and 3, in block 10, 



Jenkins' addition to the city of Waseca, and 
is a fine brick edifice, well fitted up for the 
purpose. 

The flouring mill was erected by W. G. 
Ward, Thomas White and H. Willyard in 
1 870. This firm continued in business but a 
short time, when Mr. Willyard disposed of 
his interest to his partners. About the j^ear 
1872 Mr. Ward purchased the interest of 
the remaining member of the firm, and for 
abolit three years operated it alone. In 
1874 William Everett purchased a half inter- 
est therein, forming the firm of Ward & 
Everett. Two years later Mr. Everett rented 
the interest of his partner for ten years. 
Associating with himself J. W. Ausrhen- 
baugh, the firuT name was changed to Ever- 
ett & Aughenbaugh, which continue to 
run the mill at the present writing, they 
having re-leased the interest of Mr. Ward, in 

1886. Since it was built it has been much 
improved, additions built, completely' remod- 
eled and new machinery put in, until now 
it is one of the finest in this part of the 
State. It has a capacity of 200 barrels of 
flour per day and is kept running night and 
day to supply the demand for the high grade 
of flour produced. Early in September, 

1887, Ed. Everett was admitted a member 
of the firm and the firm name changed to 
that of Everett, Aughenbaugh & Co. The 
mill is fully equipped, is a complete roller 
mill with fourteen sets of I'olls, and an eighty 
horse-power engine to furnish the power. 
They ship flour, among others, to the follow- 
ing places: Owatonna, Dodge Center and 
Albert Lea, Minn.; Lake Mills, Forest City, 
Humboldt, Fort Dodge, Garner, Britt, Cor- 
with, Daj'ton, Estherville, Livermore, Angus, 
Des Moines, Clear Lake, Mason City, Iowa 
Falls, Ackley, Algona, Emmetsburg, Spen- 
cer, Rockford, Clarksville, Marble Eock, 
Greene, Charles Citj', West Bend and Shells- 
burg, Iowa ; Danville and Monmouth, 111., 
and Indianapolis, Ind. 

William Everett, the senior partner of the 
firm of Everett, Aughenbaugh & Co., mer- 



720 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtTNTY. 



chant millers, is a native of Sussex County, 
N. J., born July 6, 1829. He was reared on 
a farm in his native State, and there received 
his -education. "When he had reached the 
age of twenty-one he, taking Horace Gree- 
ley's advice, came west and located in Iowa 
County, Wis., where he engaged in the lum- 
ber business. In 1859 he left that locality 
and came to Minnesota and settled in Mur- 
ray County, near Lake Shetek on a farm, 
where he remained until the eventful August 
of 1862, when the peaceful settlers became 
the prey of the fiendish Sioux in the general 
raassaci'e of that summer. The people of 
that little settlement where Mr. Everett lived 
were nearly all cut off, his wife and children 
captured and all murdered the same day 
except one child, Lillie, who was taken pris- 
oner by the red fiends, and himself wounded 
and tiriven from home. Such experiences 
beset the pioneer in early da3's. A full ac- 
count of the sufi"ering of these families is 
given in Chapter XV in this volume. After 
recovering from his injuries and obtaining 
possession of his child Lillie, he returned to 
Wisconsin, where he made his home until 
1867, when he came to the newly laid out 
village of Waseca, and was one of the 
pioneer business men of the place in the 
general merchandise trade. A history of 
this enterprise is given in detail elsewhere. 
In 1874: Mr. Everett turned his attention to 
milling, as related above and since that 
time has been identified with that interest in 
Waseca, and Is half owner of the well and 
widely known Waseca City Roller Mill. 
November, 1858, Mr. Everett and Almira 
Hatch were united in marriage, and they 
were tiie parents of three children : Lillie, 
Eddie and William. The two latter with 
their mother were killed as above mentioned ; 
Lillie, now Mrs. Keeny is a resident of Cali- 
fornia. Mr. Everett and Amelia S. Addison 
were united in marriage October 29, 1865, 
and they are the parents of three children : 
Edward, Grace and Guy. Mr. Everett is a 
member of Tuscan Lodge No. 77, Ancient 



Free and Accepted Masons ; Waseca Chap- 
ter No. 26, Royal Arch Masons, and of 
Cyrene Commandery No. 9. Knights Tem- 
plar. He is one of the leading business men 
of Waseca and has contributed a large share 
toward the development of the city and 
county, and is ranked among the representa- 
tive citizens of this part of the State. 

John W. Aughenbaugh, another member 
of the merchant milling firm of Everett, 
Aughenbaugh & Co., was born in Meigs 
County, Ohio, December 25, 1846. His par- 
ents removed, in about 1854, to Vandalia, 
Fayette County, 111., where they remained 
two years. In 1856 they came to Minnesota, 
settling in Freeborn County, where the father 
was engaged in farming, and John W. was 
there reared. During the late civil war John 
W. enlisted in the United States navy, and 
was assigned for duty to Commodore Porter s 
rteet, and served until 1864, when he was 
discharged. He then enlisted in Company 
Ij, First Minnesota Infantry, and participat- 
ed in the fortunes of that celebrated regi- 
ment, until it was mustered out at the close 
of hostilities. Coming back to Minnesota, 
he located in Faribault, where he engaged in 
the milling business, and continued there 
some four years. After that he was in the 
same line in Red Wing, Waterville and War- 
saw. In 1879 he came to Waseca, and formed 
a partnership and engaged with his pres- 
ent partner in the business in which he is 
now engaged. November 18, 1868, John W. 
Aughenbaugh and Carrie Kocher were united 
in marriage, and they are the parents of two 
children : Daisy and Jennie. Mrs. Aughen- 
baugh is a native of Minnesota. Mr. Auo^hen- 
baugh is a member of Tuscan Lodge, No. 77, 
Ancient PVee and Accepted IVIasons ; Waseca 
Chapter, No. 26, Royal Arch Masons, and 
Cyrene Commander}', No. 9, Knights Tem- 
plar. He is a practical miller and thorough- 
ly understands his business, and the high 
reputation enjoyed by the output of the mill 
is his best recommendation. 

Among the other prominent citizens not 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



721 



already mentioned at length, are the follow- 
ing gentlemen, whose sketches are here 
given : 

Ira C. Trowbridge is a native of Lyle, 
Broome County, N. Y., born March 16, 1823, 
and is the son of Harry and Betsey (Lock- 
wood) Trowbridge. The former was born in 
Pennsylvania, the latter in York State. The 
father was a tanner, and with him Ira re- 
mained until he had reached his majority, 
when he went to Chicago, then but a small 
city. All his friends said that he would be 
back to his old home in a short time, shaking 
with the ague. But arriving in that town, 
he engaged as salesman with Gregory & 
Robertson, in the boot and shoe trade, on Lake 
street, and made Chicago his home until 
1846. In the spring of .the last mentioned 
year he moved to Woodstock, 111., and 
opened a boot and shoe store for himself, the 
county-seat of McHenry County having just 
been located at that place, and remained there 
some twenty years. As soon as he was fairly 
established there, in the fall of 1846, he re- 
turned to Lyle, and there was united in mar- 
riage with Judith Church, a native of that 
part of the Empire State, born September 28, 
1826. The young couple then came to Wood- 
stock, where Mr. Trowbridge carried on busi- 
ness for so many years, in the last few years 
handling real estate as well as foot gear. 
In the fall of 1867 he came to Minnesota, 
and as soon as he got possession of the farm 
owned by Myers, and purchased by him in 
July, 1866i came to what is now Waseca, and 
put up a house, which constitutes part of 
the one he now lives in. Mr. and Mrs. Trow- 
bridge have had born to them four children : 
Augusta M., born September 27, 1847, united 
in marriage December 9. 1867, with J. H. 
Jenkins, a former resident of this county, but 
now living in Winona ; Adolphus H., born 
April 24, 1849, died April 21, 1873, and 
is buried in Waseca cemetery ; Ella C, born 
January 13, 1851, married to W. G. Ward. 
December 9, 1867, and residing in Waseca, 
and Edgar C, engaged in the hardware 



business in the city of Wasfeca. In en- 
terprises looking to the benefit of the town 
or the community, Mr. Trowbridge is one of 
the leading spirits, and his liberaUty in 
such matters is well and widely known. Al- 
though his hair is silvered with the snows of 
many winters, he is still young in heart and 
feeling, and takes a great interest in the ac- 
tive business of life. 

J. L. Claghorn, who is engaged in the 
insurance, loan and real estate business, 
came to Waseca in October, 1868, and was 
employed in a butcher shop, which business 
he followed for two years, and then com- 
menced his present business, having his office 
in Comee & Helms' furniture store. He now 
represents some twelve fire insurance com- 
panies and one life company. He is a native 
of Erie County, N. Y., where he remained 
until he was eighteen years of age, when he 
went to work for a railroad construction 
company and followed that business until, 
by an accident, he had both legs crushed, 
which laid him up for some time. On recov- 
ering he went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he 
entered into the drug business with a part- 
ner, under the firm name of L. F. Lake & 
Co., but only continued at this some eigh- 
teen months, when he went to Janesville, 
Wis., and built the city bridge, by which he 
lost a large sum of money through mishaps, 
and feeling somewhat discouraged he re- 
turned to western New York, and went on 
the road as general agent for a publishing 
house, which he followed for a time and 
then was general agent for Wood's mowing 
machine. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 
6ne Hundred and Sixteenth New York 
Infantry, under Col. E. P. Chapin, but 
shortly after was commissoned as lieutenant 
and quartermaster of the Eighteenth United 
States Infantry, which was commanded by 
Col. J. B. Weber, at present a member of 
Congress, and remained with that regiment 
until October, 1864, when he resigned and 
returned to New York State. Some time 
later he went to the Pennsylvania oil regions, 



722 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



but not meeting with much success, engaged 
as commercial traveler for a New York 
house. He after this traded for some prop- 
er!}^ in Superior and on going to see it, 
not liking the country, came to this place, 
where he has since remained. August 2, 
1854, he was married to Jennie Lake, of 
Hamburg, N. Y. They have had a family 
of seven children : Charles, Dwight, Agnes, 
Max, David, Frank and Kate. The last 
named died while Mr. Claghorn was in the 
service. Frank died in infancy. Besides 
these Mr. and ilrs. Claghorn have two 
adopted children : Isabel D. and Lillie. 

George E. Brubaker came to Waseca 
County with his parents, Jacob and Rachel 
(Curry) Brubaker, in 1856, his father taking 
a claim on section 28, in the town of Wil- 
ton, where he remained until 1862, when 
he sold out and moved into the village of 
Wilton, where he lived until 1883, when he 
removed to this city and is at present a resi- 
dent thereof. George E., the son, was born 
in Pennsylvania, in 183S. In his 3'ounger 
days he enjoyed excellent educational ad- 
vantages, of which he availed himself, 
attending college at Annville, Lebanon 
County, and White Hall, Montour Count}', 
both in his native State. About 1859 he 
took up a claim on government land, on sec- 
tion 4, Byron Township, this county, which, 
after making some improvements, he sold. 
In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Tenth 
Minnesota Infantry, and served with that 
gallant regiment until April, 1863, when he 
received his discluirge and returned to this 
county. In 1864: he opened a butcher shop 
in the village of Wilton, which he carried 
on for about two years. While there, in 
1865, he was married to Isabel Lindsay. In 
1872 he removed to Polk County, Iowa, 
wliei'e he purchased a farm, where he re- 
mained until 1882, when he came back to 
this county, and purchased a fai-m in Byron 
Township which he still owns, and is raising 
stock, which he makes a specialty. In 1884, 
in company with Mr. Smith, he opened the 



meat market in Waseca, but a year or so later 
sold out his interest to Mr. M\'ers, and at 
present is only looking after his farm and 
stock interests. Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker 
have only one child living, Anna Bell. 

George W. Watkins was born in Orange 
County, N. Y., May 27, 1820, and resided in 
his native State until 1847, when he came 
west and settled at Elgin, 111. In 1850, 
during the gold excitement, he went to Cali- 
fornia, but a few months spent in the min- 
ing regions of that El Dorado j)roving suffi- 
cient, he returned to New York State, and 
after a short time to Illinois. He was for a 
time after this engaged in railroad construc- 
tion in Wisconsin, and in gnan buying in 
Batavia, 111. In the fall of 1855 he came to 
Minnesota, bringipg a sawmiU with him, 
and, settling at Faribault, operated the mill. 
In the spring of 1856 he preempted a piece of 
land on Lake Elysian, in this county, and 
tiieii returning to Batavia, 111., was there 
united in marriage with Annette Ward, a 
native of Michigan, and returning to this 
county in 1857, engaged in the real estate 
business, having acquired an interest in the 
town site of Wilton. While there he 
says that he saw times when money was so 
scarce, that it was difficult to get enough to 
buy i^ostage stamps. He entered into a 
partnership with P. C. Bailey, in the hard- 
ware business at Wilton, and continued in 
tliat business for three years. His wife died 
at Wilton, leaving one child, George, now 
in Bedfield, D. T. When tlie city of Waseca 
was started, Mr. Watkins, with others, laid 
out Clear Lake City, now a part of Waseca, 
and the hardware firm of Watkins & Bailey 
removed to the new city of Waseca. He 
was united in marriage with Anna F. Green, 
a native of New York City, in 1863. who is 
the mother of one child, Mary L. When 
Waseca was made the county-seat, he re- 
moved to this place and is still a resident. 
He is a member of Tuscan Lodge, No. 77, 
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. 

Edward Bennett, a stock dealer of Waseca, 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



723 



was born in Strongville, Cayuga County, 
Ohio, August 17, 1839, and is the son of M. 
O. and Esther (Carpenter) Bennett. His 
father was a native of Rutland, Vt., and his 
mother of Brattleboro, the same State. Wlien 
Edward was but a child his parents moved to 
Kenosha, Wis., where his father was largely 
engaged in pork packing. In 1856 they 
removed to Mankato, this State. In 1860 
Edward attended the college at Oberlin, 
Ohio, and the year following, while- at Buf- 
falo, N. Y., enlisted in Company A, Forty- 
fourth New York Infantry, and remained 
with that regiment for a wliile, and was then 
transferred to the One Hunilred and Forty- 
Sixth New York Infantry, participating in 
nearly all of the great battles of the army of 
the Potomac, and was discharged as lieu- 
tenant at Washington, with the Provisional 
Army Corps, July 26, 1865. He was wound- 
ed at Peoble's farm, five miles from Peters- 
burg, September 30, 1864. After the war 
he returned to Blue Earth Count}^ and in 
1867 came to Waseca, then but a little vil- 
lage, where he has since been engaged in 
buying and shipping live stock. He is also 
the owner of Bennett's addition to the city 
of Waseca, which he laid out as already 
detailed. August 22, 1865, he was married 
at Portsmouth, N. H., to Eliza J. Brackett, 
a native of that State. They are the 
parents of three children : Georgiana, 
Jennie and Edward. Mr. Bennett is a 
member of Tuscan Lodge, No. 77, Ancient 
Free and Accepted Masons ; Waseca Chap- 
ter, No. 26, Royal Arch Masons ; Coraee 
Lodge, No. 25, and Golden Rule Encamp- 
ment, No. 13, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. 

S. F. Wyman, one of the first settlers in 
the town of Blooming Grove, where he still 
owns the pioneer farm, and where he lived 
until 1873, is a native of Cambridge, Mass., 
born February i, 1832. He is the son of 
Samuel F. and Susan (Smith) Wyman, both 
natives of the " Old Bay State," wliere they 
lived and died. Samuel F. Jr. remained 



with his parents until some fourteen years 
of age, when he went to live with his uncle, 
with whom he remained some four years. 
He then commenced to learn the carpenter's 
trade, and followed that for four years, and 
then starting west, arrived at the village of 
St. Anthony, Minn., in the fall of 1854, and 
in the spring of 1855 came to this county 
as above stated, where he has lived ever 
since, except during the war for the Union, 
he having enlisted in Company I, Third 
Minnesota Infantry, and served some four 
years. He was taken prisoner at the battle 
of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and a few days after 
was released on jiarole. He came north and 
joined the force under Gen. Sibley against 
the Indians, he being under parole not to 
serve against the Confederates until ex- 
changed. In the fall of that year the ex- 
change was made, and he returned to his regi- 
ment, and remained with them until 1865, 
when he received his discharge and returned 
home. He was in seven pitched battles, be- 
sides skirmishes, and never received a wound 
or was sick a day. Christmas day, 1860, S. 
F. Wyman and Josephia Davis, a native of 
Nova Scotia, were united in marriage. They 
have been the parents of seven children : 
Charles S. F., born December 22, 1862; 
George N., October 31, 1866 ; Otis A., Nov- 
ember 22, 1868; Ina H., September 8, 1870; 
Gertrude G., Januar\r 25, 1875 ; Bertha P., 
May 24, 1878, and Wallace J., May 25,1883. 

George P. Johnson (deceased), for many 
years engaged in business in St. Mary, Wil- 
ton and Waseca, was a native of Province- 
town, Mass., born in 1836. He came west in 
1858 and settled at the village of St. Mary, 
and became one of the firm of J. W. Johnson 
& Co. He was engaged in the general mer- 
chandise trade in Wilton, but on coming to 
Waseca sold agricultural implements and 
machinery. He died here October 17, 1880. 

J. B. Smith is a native of Erie County, N. 
Y., and in 1854 he with his family started 
west, traveling from their home in western 
New York to Green County, Wis., during 



72-t 



HISTORY OF WASECA COLWTV. 



the cold winter months, being from January 
17 to February 22 making the journey. He 
had his wagon fitted up so as to live in it 
comfortabl}', witli a stove to heat it up and 
to cook by, so that they did not suffer much 
from tlie inclemency of the weather or from 
liunger. They remained some nine years in 
Green County, and then started west again 
by team, as before, and after traveling some 
two weeks arrived in Owatonna, Steele 
County, early in November, 1863, and re- 
mained in that county until 1867, when he 
came to the new town of Waseca, and built 
the first house south of the track, and where 
he has a really elegant place. 

D. Pierce came to this count}^ in 186-1, and 
took up a claim on section 6 in what is now 
the town of Freedom, where he remained 
until 1881. when he removed to his present 
home in Waseca, where he has since been 
employed in market gardening, or to use a 
New Jersey phrase, "been raising garden 
truck." lie is a native of Washington 
County, N. Y., but when l)ut six years of 
age was taken by his people to Genesee. 
Walworth County, Wis., where he remained 
with his parents until he had reached the 
age of twenty-two years, when he started 
out in the world to seek his fortune. He 
went to the northern part of the Badger 
State, where he remained until 1864, when 
he came to this county. He was married in 
18-1-8 to Laura Bromaghin, a native of the 
State of New York. They are the parents 
of three children. 

Chancey Parker was born in Ohio, Febru- 
ary 18, 18-13, and when but six years of age 
his parents removed to Chicago, where tliey 
lived until 1856, when they went to Fond du 
Lac County, Wis., where he lived for about 
four vears, and then returned to Chicago. 
In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, Seventy- 
second Illinois Infantry, under Col. F. A. 
Staring. He served in this regiment three 
years, and was present in twenty-six battles, 
and was several times wounded, the last one 
of which caused the loss of the use of his 



arm. He was discharged at Montgomery, 
Ala., June 6, 1865, and returned to Chicago, 
but for years was unable to do anything as 
a result of his wounds and exposure while in 
the service. From Chicago he went to 
Waupun, Wis., when he had somewhat re- 
covered, and later to Ripon, the same State, 
staying at the latter place for seven years, 
and then came to Waseca in June, 1877. 
He was married at Waupun, June 18, 1866, 
to Mary E. Conklin. They have a family of 
three children : Charles E., Clyde fc. and 
Bessie. The eldest is a postal clerk at 
Albert Lea, the others are at home. 

C. Hansen came to Waseca in 1872 and 
put up the first house west of what is now 
the Minneapolis & St. Louis track. He was 
variously employed until 1876, when he took 
chai'ge of the bar room of the Turner hall, 
but in March, 1879, opened a saloon for him- 
self, where he now continues the same busi- 
ness. He was born in Denmark in 18-15, and 
remained in that country until 186'J, when 
he came to America, and located at Faribault, 
Minn., where he remained until coming here. 
He is popular, and having many friends is 
doing a large and lucrative business. 

John Beierwalter came to Waseca in 1867, 
among its first settlers, and has made this 
his home ever since. In 1869 he was ap- 
pointed village watchman, the first one the 
incipient city had. About 1870 he opened a 
saloon, and has been in that line of business 
ever since, excepting during 1879-80, when 
for a year he had charge of the brewery, 
having rented it of the owners, and operated 
it. He is a native of Bavaria, Germany, 
born June 19, 1821-. He came to the United 
States when twenty-eight years of age, and 
settled in the city of Pittsburg, Pa., where 
he remained some twelve years. He then 
went to Portage County, Ohio, where three 
years of his life was spent, after which he 
came to Waseca County, and settled in 
Blooming Grove Township, but six months 
later moved to the village. March 3, 1854. 
he was married to Katrina Brown, at Pitts- 



HISTOKV OF WASKCA COUNTY. 



725 



burg, who died in this city August 27, 1884, 
leaving six children : Lizzie, Clara, John, 
Joseph, Anna and Thomas. 

MUNICIPAL. 

At a meeting of the citizens of the village 
of Waseca, held January 18, 1868, called for 
that purpose, it was decided to make an ap- 
plication to the Legislature of the State for 
an act of incorporation. W. T. Kittredge, 
George L. Tarbell and S. B. WiUiams were 
appointed to draft the necessary articles and 
forward the same to the proper parties. The 
Legislature passed the act petitioned for at 
its general session in February, 1868, and 
appointed I. C. Trowbridge, H. P. Norton 
and P. H. Swift inspectors of the first elec- 
tion. April 7, 1868, the said election was 
held, and J. Shaw, S. B. Williams and W. G. 
Ward were elected trustees, and P. H. Swift, 
justice of the peace. At a subsequent meet- 
ing the board appointed the following 
officers : A. E. Dearborn, clerk ; W. T. 
Kittredge, treasurer ; H. P. Norton, marshal ; 
Charles Dunn, street commissioner ; F. Y. 
Hoffstott, lire warden, and O. T. Royce, as- 
sessor. 

During the session of the Legislature in 
the winter of 1881, a bill was introduced 
authorizing the incorporation of Waseca as 
a city, and in Marcli of the same year the 
act was passed and approved by the governor. 
The first election was held on May 3, 1881, 
when the following officers were chosen : 
Warren Smith, mayor; H. G. Mosher, as- 
sessor; B. A. Lowell and John Carmody, city 
justices ; S. J. Stevenson, constable ; Darling- 
Welch, street commissioner, and H. H. Sud- 
duth, D. McLoughlin, Theodore Brown and 
Thomas Coleman, aldermen. The first meet- 
intr of the new council was held in a few 
days thereafter, when the mayor appointed 
the following officers to fill up the full com- 
plement of the offices of the municipal gov- 
ernment : L. E. Keyes, marshal ; C. E. Leslie, 
city attorney ; F. A. Newell, treasurer, and 
J. E. Madden, recorder. 



The present city government consists of 
the following named gentlemen : E. B. Col- 
lester, mayor ; E. P. Latham, recorder ; G. 
R. Buckraan, treasurer; PI. C. Woodbury, 
municipal judge ; C. E. Leslie, city attorney ; 
and W. G. Ward, J. W. Aughenbaugh, 
Henry Murphy, William Cronkhite, and B. 
S. Lewis, aldermen. 



SCHOOLS. 



For a short time after the settlement of the 
village of Waseca there were no public schools 
the education of the rising generation being 
entrusted to several private schools that had 
been established. In the spring of 1868, 
however, a movement was put on foot to 
extend the school privileges. School meet- 
ings were held during the month of June, 
and a small school opened'under the auspices 
of the school district in the latter part of that 
month, with Miss Hall as teacher. 

During the month of March, 1869, at the 
annual school meeting, the question as to the 
advisability of bonding the district for tlie 
purpose of raising funds with which to build 
a schoolhouse, came up for discussion. By 
an almost unanimous vote it was determined 
to thus raise the sum of $1,500, and ap- 
pointed the following committees : On 
schoolhouse site, Messrs. Williams, Alden 
and Dearborn ; on plan and specification for 
building, Messrs. Ward, Child and Willyard. 

At a meeting held on the 8th of April 
following it was reported that lots 1 ami 
2 in block 3, in the first addition to the 
village of Waseca, were selected for the site 
of the schoolhouse. Additional bonds to 
the amount of $500 were voted to be issued, 
and tlie officers of the district ordered to 
advertise for bids for building an edifice 
upon the site selected. Matters wei-e soon 
arranged and a building erected during the 
summer, and on Monday, October i, 186t>, 
school was opened in the new edifice, with 
Prof. A. H. Carman and Miss Lizzie Smith 
as teachers. The building is a two-story 
one, 2-1x40 feet in size, with a schoolroom 



72« 



HISTOKY OK WASECA COUNTY. 



on oacli floor, and is located a few rods back 
from tlie sidewalk on Wood street. 

An addition to this was erected some two 
years later, whicli was nearly of the same 
size. 

The buildings used for educational pur- 
poses growing too confined, in the fall of 
1878 it was concluded to Ijuild a large and 
handsome schoolhouse on the site of the 
other. Accordingly the old building was 
removed, and a contract let for the erection 
of a new brick edifice on the site of the old 
one. This contract was dated August 2n, 
1878, W. B. Craig being the builder and the 
price agreed upon was $7,535. 

On the 30th of April, 1881, at a school 
meeting, it was decided by a vote of 76 to 
1 that the district should issue its bonds 
to raise money to build additional school 
room, the bonds to run ten years and 
draw t) per cent, interest. Accordingly, 
money was so raised, and the contract for 
building the same let to W. B. Craig, of 
Mankato, (t, R. Maybury, of Winona, being 
the architect. The building was finished in 
the early winter of that year, and is one of 
the linest in the State, costing nearly $2(),(»(iO 
in all. It is located on a half block of ground, 
which is well laid out with fine wallcs and 
l)hinte(l with shade trees. The building is 
the shape of the letter IT, and is 102x70 in 
size on the ground. The first story con- 
tains live rooms anil four halls, the second, 
three rooms, including the high-school room in 
the south section, which is 3-1x70 feet in size. 
( )n this floor are also two apparatus rooms, 
and by glass sash a recitation room can be 
cut oflF from the high-school room 1(5x3-1 feet 
feet in size. The entire building is built of 
cream colored brick, trimmed with cut stone, 
the windows having inside blinds, and the 
doors covei'ed with hoods. All the finishing 
of the building is in first-class style, the flooi's 
being hard wood, and great blackboards 
four and a half feet high encirclintr each 
room. It took some 500,000 brick, 145 cords 
of rough stone, 2,0oo feet of cut stone, 



150,000 feet of lumber, two and a half tons 
of nails, 500 yards of sand and 800 barrels 
of lime to complete it. Among the appa- 
ratus it would be well to mention a very fine 
telescope, solar microscope, air pump, elec- 
trical battery, etc., all of which cost in the 
neighborhood of $1,000 or more. The citi- 
zens of the town may well feel j)roud of the 
building. 

RKIJGIOUS. 

Tlie lii'st religious services were held in the 
summer of 1807 in the building now occu- 
]iied l)y P. C. Bailey as a hardware store. 
The building was about finished, but the 
front was not in, when Mr. Bailey started for 
Chicago to buy goods, leaving carpenters to 
put up shelves, etc. The first stock to ar- 
rive was some boxes of glass. A Presbyte- 
rian clerg^auan by the name of Lyon used it 
for a Sunday to hold services in, and the 
people sitting on the bo.xes played some 
havoc with the glass. 

The Congregational Church was organ- 
ized at a meeting held at the Presbyterian 
Church on the 11th of May, 1869, at which 
Ezra AVood acted as chairman, and A. E. 
Dearborn as secretary. Kev. E. II. Alden 
was pastor, and A. Vinton, J. H. Stevens, L. 
Ihuniston, E. Bennett and C. A. Bowland 
were chosen the first trustees. Meetings 
were held for a time in the building now 
occujiied by Sudduth ik Preston, but in the 
fall of ISOlt the church edifice was built from 
plans drawn by May berry, of Winona, but not 
dedicated until March 30. 1871. Tli(> building 
is of the following dimensions: Main struc- 
ture, 30x50 feet ; extreme length, including 
projection of tower in front, 57^ feet; ex- 
treme width, 32 feet ; height of tower, 80 
feet. D. L. Whipi)le had charge of the build- 
ing. AVhen the society was organized it had 
but about fifteen members, but now numbers 
about 156. There have been seven pastors 
in charge of this church : Revs. E. II. 
Alden, T. A. Wadsworth, E. C. Starr, L. 
Loring, C. W. Merrill, L. W. Chancy and 
J. A. Stenian, the present occupant of the 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



727 



pulpit. The original members were the fol- 
lowing: Frederick Stevens, L. Hummiston, 
W. H. Vinton, G. Henshaw, Mrs. Lucy P. 
Stevens, Mi's. Lydia II. Vinton, Mrs. Eliza 
IJummiston, Miss Julia Hummiston, Samuel 
Hawkes, Mrs. C. M. Hawkes, Wilfred Vin- 
ton, Edward Bennett, Mrs. Edward Bennett, 
Ezra Wood and Mrs. C. G. Wood. The 
Sunday school was organized February 13, 
1870. 

The Methodist Episcopal Ciuirch is one of 
the oldest societies in Waseca. Before the 
village was a year old Rev. W. W. Satterlee, 
made a survey of the prospect of organizing 
a church of this denomination there. At 
that time Rev. A. G. Perkins was presiding 
elder. After a year's work Mr. Satterlee found 
that he could report some sixty -eight mem- 
bers for Waseca, Wilton and South Wilton, 
and an organization was effected. The en- 
rollment of this society in Waseca Village 
was but twelve. The first meeting was held 
at the residence of Eri G. Wood, and after- 
ward at a schoolhouse near Clear Lake. Be- 
fore the erection of any church edifice, wor- 
ship was held at various ))laces, among them 
were the Zeller building, Philbrick's Hall 
and the Baptist Church. In 1874 a church 
building was erected at a cost of $5,000. It 
was 36x52 feet on the ground. I. C. Trow- 
bridge donated a lot on which to put it up. 
It was dedicated as a place of woi'ship dur- 
ing the winter of 1875-6, Bishop Merrill, 
Rev. J. E. Chaffee, Rev. G. W. T. Wright 
and Rev. Alfred Cressey officiating. This 
building was destroyed by fire on tiie SHth 
of December, 1879, only the organ, pulpit 
chairs and a few other things being saved. 
The origin of the fire is unknown. On the 
night following the fire, when scarcely the 
building had ceased to fiame and while the 
embers were still hot, a meeting was hold 
and subscriptions to the amount of $l,(lO(i 
were raised with which to erect anew build- 
ing. There was an insurance on the burned 
bulling of $2,000 in the Phct'nix Insurance 
Co., which was promptly paid. For some time 



afterward, meetings were held wherever con- 
venient in other churches. But all this time 
the new edifice was being put up. This is 
one of the handsomest in the town and cost 
above $5,000. A spire KtO feet high sur- 
mounts the building. The following have 
been the pastors since the organization: 
Revs. W. W. Satterlee, S. T. Richardson, F. 
A. Reggin, E. S. Bowdish, Alfred Cressey, 
Robert Forbes, M. D. Terwilligei', Robert 
Forbes, second term ; Levi Gilbert, II. C. 
Jennings, H. Frank and R. M. Carter, the 
present one, whose term expires in October, 
1887. The present membership is 121. 

The first services of the Catholic Church 
were held in 1869. At that time mass 
was celebrated by Rev. Father Bowman, in 
the vacant Madden store. In 1870 Rev. 
Father A. Hurley attended to the spiritual 
wants of the Roman Catholics of AVaseca, 
and organized the present parish, and under 
his administration was tiie church of the 
Sacred Heart built. Among those who took 
an active part in the first meetings, were : 
Jerome Madden Sr., John Collins, Thonuis 
White and G. Buchler. In 1872 Father 
Wisler took charge here, and in 187-1 was 
succeeded by Father Herman. Father Pry- 
bil was next, taking charge in 1876, and was 
succeeded by Rev. Father A. Christie, the 
first resident pastor and the present priest. 
The church numbers nearly one thousand 
members at this time. The convent and 
academy of the sisters of the Holy Child 
Jesus was commenced in 1886, at which 
time the west wing was erected. This is 
•10x70 feet in size and well constructed of 
brick. The centei- of tiie edifice was built 
during the summer of 1887, and is 30x60 feet 
in size, and is surmounted by a handsome 
belfrv. It is the intention to complete the 
building in 1888, with a wing the exact 
counterpart of the other. The academy is 
in charge of the sisters of the Holy Child 
Jesus, an English order, of which there are 
only four or five communities in the United 
States. The church has also a fine parson- 



728 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



age, where Father Christie resides at pres- 
ent. 

Rev. Father A. Christie, pastor of the 
church of the Sacred Heart, is a native of 
Franklin County. Vt., born in 1851. He 
received his early education in the schools of 
Adams Count}', Wis., whither his parents 
had moved when he was yet a child. In 
1866 the family came to Minnesota and lo- 
cated at Austin, Mower County, where he 
pursued his studies, and later attended the 
college at St. Joseph, near St. Cloud, Stearns 
County, this State, but finished his educa- 
tion at Montreal, Canada. He was ordained 
and set apart for the ministry, December 22, 
1877, and then came to Waseca and took 
charge of this parish. Father Christie has a 
large congregation, which is still increasing, 
and he is highly ])opular with all. 

The Swedish Lutheran Church was organ- 
ized May 4, ISSo. At the first meeting the 
following were present and enrolled them- 
selves as members : E. M. Oleson, C. V. 
Hanson, Andrew Hanson, John Holmburg, 
A. Lind, Samuel Anderson, A. Helgren, C. 
Engstrom, A. M. Johnson and T. W. John- 
son. John Holmbui'g and Samuel Ander- 
son were chosen the first trustees. Ivev. 
Samuel Anderson was the first pastoi-, and 
still administers to the s])iritual wants of 
this flock. Before the organization, meetings 
were held at ])rivate houses and occasionally 
at the Ba])tist Chuix-li. Their own church 
edifice was erected in the fall of 1885. 

St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran 
Church was organized August 10, 1885, at a 
meeting where there were the following 
present: Robert Chandler, chairman ; AVil- 
helm Slicht, secretary ; Charles Fink, Chris- 
tian Slicht, Peter Stearns, C. Neidt, C. 
Weber, Adolf Ciegslski. AV. L. Herbst and 
Gottlieb Wiland. The following were 
chosen as first trustees : A. Ciegslski, AV. L. 
Herbst and G. Wiland. Rev. Mr. Schoolen- 
berg was the jiastor at the time of organiza- 
tion. Previous to tin's, for three or four 
years they had held services, occasionally, 



at various places. The church edifice was 
built in 1885, and completed September 15, 
that year. Rev. Mr. Staling is the present 
pastor. 

Calvary Episcopal Church originated from 
a meeting held at the residence of Ira C. 
Trowbridge early in the spring of 1868, the 
Rev II. B. Whipple officiating. Other 
meetings were held in halls or vacant build- 
ings for a time. Rev. George C. Tanner, of 
Owatonna, conducting service. On the 
evening of March 7, 1868, a meeting was 
held at the house of II. S. Teall for the pur- 
pose of organizing an Episcopal Mite Society 
for the purpose of furnishing aid toward fit- 
ting u]) a church at this ])lace. H. D. P.ald- 
win was chairman. After some pi-eliminar}' 
business the following officers were chosen : 
Mrs. H. S. Teall, president; Mrs. P. L. 
Knappen, vice-president ; Mrs. E.P.Latham, 
secretary, and Mi's. H. D. P>aldwin, treas- 
urer. Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth. Mr. Teft, 
Miss Hall, Mrs. Bailey and Mr. P. Smith 
were appointed a committee on entertain- 
ments. Some twenty members joined the 



society the first evening. 



Religious services 



from this time out were held with consider- 
able regularitj'. Most of the members of 
the church, some thirty, had been connected 
with the church at Wilton, and on removing 
here wished to enjoy the services of the 
church of their predilections. Rev. Mr. 
Tanner, Ge(M'ge AV. Dubois and E. C. Bill 
officiated at these meetings. The latter was 
a young man in the ministry, not yet or- 
dained, sent into this field as a missionary. 
The first service held by him was in the 
Congregational Church. In 1875 the church 
edifice was erected and dedicated December 
12, the same year, with appropriate ceremo- 
nies, Rev. Mr. Bill appearing for the first 
time as a regularly ordained ministei*. Serv- 
ices for some time after this were held once 
a month, with one or two exceptions, until 
June 3, 1877, when with the assistance of 
Rev. G. C. Tanner, of Owatonna, and Rev. 
M. T. Pise, of Faribault, thev manageil to 



HISTORY OF WASECA COtJNTY, 



729 



hold weekly services for a time, but that was 
soon abandoned. In 1878 a Sabbath school 
was organized in connection with the church. 
The society owned a church building at Wil- 
ton, which they sold in the fall of 1880. The 
following is a list of the clergymen of this 
denomination of Christians who have oiR- 
ciated at this point, from first to last, as 
near as can be ascertained : Revs. H. B. 
Whipple, Geo. C. Tanner, G. W. Dubois, E. 
C. Bill, M. T. Pise, B. T. Hall, D. Knicker- 
bocker, E. G. Hunter, Mr. Irvine, W. R. 
Powell, W. B. Hamilton and R. E. Metcalf, 
the present rector. The. church has a mem- 
bership of about 30. 

The Baptist Church was organized June 
6, 1868, with the following members, who 
signed the articles of faith and covenant : G. 
N. Taylor, S. H. Talbut, W. J. Burner, Mrs. 
H. Buckman, Mrs. H. Vincent, Mrs. A. L. 
Taylor, Miss Hattie Jones, Miss Olive Fos- 
ter, Mrs. G. H. Talbut and Mrs. Haines. 
G. N. Taylor was elected clerk, and S. H. 
Talbut, deacon. The first baptism tliat took 
place in the infant church, according to the 
records, was that of S. W. Burns. The first 
received into the church by letter were, on 
the authority of the same, Lucius Taylor 
and Orvis Child. The church edifice whei-e 
they worship was erected by the Presbyte- 
rian societj', which disbanded in 1873, and 
sold the building at that time to the Baptist. 
Rev. S. T. Catlin, the founder of tliiscliurcii, 
came here eai'ly in June. 18G8, and com- 
menced his ministry. He continued his 
spiritual counsel and work here until the 
spring of 1870, when he removed to Wiscon- 
sin. He was succeeded by Rev. E. Thomp- 
son, and he by Rev. G. N. Annes. The next 
to fill the pulpit was A. H. Carman, who 
had formerly been the principal of the 
public school and at this time was. conduct- 
ing a private educational institution. He 
was followed by Rev. Mr. Cox, and on the 
e.xpiration of the term for which he was em- 
ployed, the church was for some time witliout 
any regular pastor, services being held when- 



ever convenient ; the Sunday school was 
kept up without intermission, however. Fol- 
lowing this interregnum came Rev. H. S. 
Davis, who was succeeded by A. M. Torbet. 
In the summer of 188C A. H. Ballard, a 
student at Morgan Park Baptist Seminary, 
filled the puljiit for three months. Septem- 
ber 1, 188G, Rev. W. D. Athearn became 
pastor and is the present shepherd of the 
flock, which consists of about sixty-five mem- 
bei's. 

The German Methodist is part of a society 
organized as early as 1857 in tlie three pre- 
cincts of Iosco, Blooming Grove and Wood- 
ville. In 1875 the church here was formed 
with some thirty-five members, under the 
ministration of Rev. W. F.- Buckholz, their 
first pastor. This gentleman laboi'ed in 
this vine^'ard for tliree years and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. F. Hermsmeier, who remained 
two years. Rev. Charles Schoenheider was the 
next to preach here, and after three years' 
service, was followed b^ Rev. G. Reihle, who 
stayed only one year. Three years ago the 
present pastor. Rev. F. Hogrefe, took charge. 
They have a membershi]i at present of some 
seventy, twenty-five of wiiom belong to the 
Minske class in Iosco. 

FIKE DEPARTMENT. 

The Waseca fire department was organ- 
ized by an oi'dinance of the city council, 
approved December 3U. 1881. On the 26th 
of January, 1882, the engine company met 
for organization witii the following members : 
Jesse Reese, John Loi'tis, Peter Coles, E. 
Morrison, II. V. Davis, Sumner Wood, 
Charles Piatt, C. Ebbinghausen, John Ro- 
land, Allan Goodspeed, S. Swenson, John 
Maloney, Walter Child, Samuel Strohmier, 
C. Christopherson, E. Goodspeed, E. B. Col- 
lester, G. W. Smith, J. M. Robertson, 
W. Aughenbaugh, Thomas Breen, William 
Schlicht, M. D. L. Collester, Fred. Clayton, 
Gus. Staak, C. M. Oster, D. McLoughlin, W. 
Kritzer, A. J. Lohren, J. A. Lilly, William 
Miller, J. F. Murphy and M. V. Hunt. On 



730 



HISTOKY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



organizing they elected the following officers : 
Jesse Keese, engineer ; J. M. Robertson, first 
assistant engineer; Peter Stearns, second 
assistant engineer ; Walter Child, secretary ; 
H. V. Davis, treasurer, and E. B. Collester, 
Charles Barr and M. Y. Hunt, finance com- 
mittee. The city purchased the engine in 
Winona, and it arrived here and was housed 
on the 11th of February, 1882, and was 
tested on the 8th of March following, and 
proved entirely satisfactory. The officers in 
1887 were as follows : Nicholas Jacobs, en- 
gineer; August Smith, first assistant en- 
gineer ; P. H. Kenehan, second assistant 
engineer ; G. E. Child, secretary ; W. Herbst, 
treasurer, and John Mayer, wardi'obian. 

The hose company was organized at a 
meeting held on the 24:th of January, 1882, 
with the following members : John Locke, 
E. Rarasdale, Edward Forbes, Edward Cum 
mings, Edward Goetzenberger, E. L. Fiske, 
A Schildknecht, E. W. Fiske, J. E. Madden, 
H. E. Strong, D. S. Cummings, C. D. Ward, 
J. Neibles, M. O. Forbes and Ed. Castor. 
H. E. Strong was elected first foi'eman ; 
August Schildknecht, first assistant fore- 
man ; Max Forbes, second assistant foreman ; 
Ed. Castor, secretary ; Ed. Cummings, treas- 
urer, and E. Ramsdale, wardrobian. 

The present officers are : E. W. Fiske, 
foreman; Charles Grant, £1*81 assistant; 
William Blowers, second assistant; E. L. 
Fisk and C. A. Hark, tipmen; D. Devine, 
secretary ; Ed. Castor, treasurer, and Fi'ank 
Forrest, wardrobian. 

A hook and ladder company was organized 
March 4, 1884, with Ed. Goetzenberger as 
foreman, but wliicii was suspended from 
the department in 1887, while Dr. Christie 
was foreman. 

The entire fire department is in a very 
satisfactory condition, and is under the com- 
mand of a chief engineer and a fire warden 
from each ward. Tlie present officers are: 
Ed. Goetzenberger, chief engineer; B. S. 
Lewis, fire warden from tlie First ward ; W. 
G. Ward, Second ward ; Henry Murphy, 



Third ward ; J. W. Aughenbaugh, Fourth 
ward, and W. T. Cronkhite, Fifth ward. 

SOCIETIES. 

Tuscan Lodge, No. 77, Ancient Free and 
Accejjted Masons, was organized under char- 
ter bearingdate of January 14, 1869, although 
meetings were held previous to this, under 
dispensation, being organized under dispen- 
sation, on December 9, 1868. The following 
is the list of the charter members : W. G. 
Ward, Lewis Brownell, B. S. Lewis, Philo C. 
Bailey, H. P. Norton, N. E. Strong, W^T. Kit- 
tredge, J. O. Chandler, James E. Child, H. 
D. Baldwin, Eri G. Wood, E. M. Broughton. 
Jonatlian Shaw, Frank Miner, O. T. Roice, 
J. W. Tefft and H. Willyard. The first 
officers given on tlie charter were : W, T. 
Kittredge, W. M. ; E. M. Broughton, S. W. 
and N. E. Strong, J. W. and James E. 
Child, Sec. 

The lodge is in a highly prosperous con- 
dition in every particular, and has a large 
membershi]). The following are the officers 
in 1887: M. O'Brien, W. M. ; N. S. Gordon. 
S. W. ; E. A. White, J. W. ; George Webb- 
S. D. ; Harry Britten, J, D. ; G. R. Buck- 
man, T. ; E. B. Collester, S. ; William Tyson- 
S. S. ; Frank Wood, J. S., and H. O. "^Can- 
field, tyler. 

AVaseca Chapter, No. 26, Roj^al Arch Ma- 
sons, was duly organized under dispensation, 
December 12, 1873, with the following named 
members : P. C. Bailey, E. A. Jordan, J. A. 
Claghorn, B. S. Lewis, E. M. Broughton, G. 
W. Comee, G. P. Johnson, H. W. Zeller, S. T. 
Lewis, J. W. Johnson, N. E. Strong and H. 
P. Norton. On the 4th of November, 1874, 
a charter was granted them, and they have 
been working under that ever since. P. C. 
Bailey was the first High Priest, and contin- 
ued in that office until 1876, when he was 
succeeded by R. L. McCormick, who reigned 
three j'ears. B. S. Lewis was the next, and 
was followed by L. Z. Rogers, and he by E. 
G. Wood, the present one. The chapter is 
ill a most healthy condition, with everything 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



731 



in its favor, and its work is pronounced most 
excellently " good and true." It has a present 
membership of fifty -four brothers. The offi- 
cers for 18S7 are : Eri G. Wood, M. E. H. P. ; 
J. A.Claghorn.E. K. ; G.ll. Buckman, S. E. ; 
M. O'Brien, C. H. ; S. S. Washburn, P. 
S. ; N. S. Gordon, K. A. C. ; J. W. Johnson, 
T. ; J. L. Claghorn, S. ; George Webb, G. M. 
T. V. ; John F. Murphy, G. M. S. V. ; Theo- 
dore Brown, G. M. F. V. and G. W. Comee, 
Sent. 

Comee Lodge, No. 25, Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, was organized at a meeting- 
held in what was called the Radical building, 
then just south of whei'e the Grant House 
now stands, "December 8, 1868, with the fol- 
lowing charter members : W. C. Young, G. 
W. Comee, H. D. Baldwin, L. E. Wallace, 
and H. P. Norton. The first officers, installed 
Tuesday, January 14, 1869, were : II. D. 
Baldwin, N. G. ; Warren Smith, V. G. ; II. A. 
Mosher, S. ; W. C. Young, T. The present 
officers are : N. J. Leavitt, N. G. ; Joseph 
Gatzman,V. G. ; S. Swenson, P. G. ; A. J. 
Lohren, S.; O. Powell, T. ; V. Butsch, W. ; 
E. B. Collester, C. ; L. Larson, I. G., and J, 
Gutfleisch, O. G. They have now a member- 
ship of fifty-one, and, jointly with the Ma- 
sonic Lodge, rent a hall in which to hold 
meetings. Financial condition is most excel- 
lent, and the lodge is doing much good in this 
community. 

Golden Rule Encampment, No. 13, Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized 
under charter, October 27, 1873, with the 
following charter members : P. V. Smith, G. 
W. Comee, H. C. Woodbury, R. F. Stevens, 
J. S. Abell, Joseph Miller, M. S. Collins, 
John G. Greening, S. F. Phelps and John 
Craven. The first officers chosen were the 
following : G. W. Comee, C. P. ; R. F. Stev- 
ens, H. P. ; H. C. Woodbury, S. W. ; John 
S. Abell, J. W ; John Craven, S. ; P. V. 
Smith, T. and Jos. Miller, Sent. Besides the 
charter members, there were present the 
night of organization, Brothers W. C. Young, 
y. Butsch, Edward Bennett, S. S. Comee, 



and W. H. Young Sr. The camp, which is 
in quite a fiourishing condition, has a present 
membership of twenty-four, and has a 
beautiful hall, which is rented jointly be- 
tween the Masonic and Oddfellow fraterni- 
ties. The present officers are : O. Powell, C. 
P. ; H. Myers, H. P. ; G. W. Comee, S. W. ; 
E. P. Latham, J. W. ; H. C. Woodbury, S. ; 
W. C. Young, T. ; V. Butsch, I. S. ; Edward 
Bennett, F. W. ; A. J. Lee, S. W. and John 
S. Abell, G. 

A post of the Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic was organized on Monday, March 16, 
1868, with the following officers: W. T. 
Kittredge, P. C. ; P. II. Swift, S. V. C. ; H. 
A. Mosher, J. V. C. ; A. H. Wellman, Q. M. ; 
Dr. H. J. Young, Surg. ; A. E. Dearborn, S. 
M. ; Rev. Mr. Starr, Chap. 

Among the members not included among 
the above named officers were : Edward 
Bennett, M. H. Helms, Joseph Gatzman. 
Benjamin Philbrick, Henry Zeller and Jonas 
Whitcomb. 

The post ran for about one year, and then, 
so many of its members removing, it was 
allowed to die out. 

Lewis McKune Post. No. 27, Grand Army 
of the Republic, was organized at a meeting 
of the veterans of the civil war, held at the 
courthouse, April 9, 1883, when the follow- 
ing officers were chosen : C. C. Comee, P. 
C. ; J. A. Canfield, S. V. C. ; J. A. Smith, J. 
V. C. ; C. E. Graham, A. ; G. R. Buckman, 
Q. M. ; Dr. H. J. Young, S. ; Edward Ben- 
nett, C. ; J. B. Ilayden, O. D. ; W. H. 
Helms, O. G. ; George White, S. M. and M. 
Craven, Q. M. S. The post is in excellent 
condition financially and otherwise, and the 
meetings held on the first and third Satur- 
day evenings of each month are well at- 
tended. They always have money in the re- 
lief fund on hand, and carry out all the pre- 
cepts of the order in a fraternal manner. 
There have been some eighty comrades mus- 
tered in, in this post, and the membership is 
now about sixty-two. The pi'esent officers 
are: M. H. Helms, P. C. ; J. B. Hayden, S. 



Y32 



HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY. 



V. C. ; Preston Martin. J. \. C. ; G. A. 
Smith, A. ; J. H. Murphy, Q. M. ; Edward 
Bennett, S. ; J. L. Claghorn, C. ; L. E. Whee- 
lock, O. D. ; M. E. D. Whitted, O. G. ; Geo. 
White, S. M. ; H. Van Buren, Q. M. S. 

Catholic Knights of Waseca have a lodge 
here, oi-ganized January, 1886, with Thomas 
Coleman, president ; Thomas Flynn, vice- 
president ; John ]\[oonan, secretary ; P. A. 
Bowe, treasurer; E. W. Lansing, Thomas 
McLaughlin and William Swift, executive 
committee, and Pev. A. Christie, spiritual 
director. The officers for 1887 were: Thomas 
Coleman, P. ; Thomas Flynn, V. P. ; Francis 
Maloney, S. ; P. A. Bowe, T. ; Thomas Flynn. 
Thomas Connolly and E. W. Lansing, execu- 
tive committee ; J. T. Lee, sergeant at arms ; 
and Rev. Father Christie, spiritual director. 

The Young Men's Christian Association 
was organized March 4, 1887, with a mem. 
bership of forty-eight, in the hall of tlie 
Good Templars. The officers cliosen on or- 
ganization were : W. D. Belden, president ; 
Dr. A. M. Hutchinson, first vice-president ; 
M. E. Parmalee, second vice-president ; II. 

E. Smith, secretary' ; M. M. Davidson, treas- 
urer ; H. H. Suddeth, H. C. Monroe, W. C. 
Stegner. E. W. Fiske, F. A. Wood and A. E. 
Jay, directors. These officers are the pres- 
ent ones, except that J. L. Claghorn has 
taken the place of W. C. Stegner on the 
board of directoi'S. The society has a very 
tine hall, over the Bank of Waseca, which 
tliey rent of the owner, W. G. Ward. 

Waseca Lodge, No. -ii, Knights of Pythias, 
was organized Friday evening, September 
30, 1887, with the following charter mem- 
bers : K. A. Holbrook, II. H. Sudduth, F. A. 
Swartwood, W. D. Abbott, B. U. Dye, H. 
P. Bird, Charles Smith, E. A. Everett, S. E. 
Panney, D. A. Kinney, D. E. Tenney, Harry 
A. Read, John Evans, E. M. Helms, Frank 
Tripp, C. H. Lippett, J. W. Veness and 11. 

F. Gilson. 

The following officers were chosen : W. D. 
Abbott, C. C. ; K. A. Holbrook, V. C. ; F. 
A. Swartwood, P. C. ; H. H. Sudduth, M. of 



E. ; II. P. Bird, M. of F. ; E. A. Everett, P. ; 
B. U. Dye, K. of R. and S. ; Charles Smith, 
I. G. ; S. E. Ranney, O. G. 

Fort Ridgely Lodge, No. 65, Brotherhood 
of Locomotive Firemen, was organized at 
Sleepy Eye, in June, 1880, and moved from 
that place to Waseca in October, 1883. The 
first officers were as follows : Thomas Burke, 
master ; W. W. Williams, secretary ; John 
Boyle, financier. The lodge is in quite a 
flourishing condition, with a present mem- 
bership of seventy-two. The officers at pres- 
ent are: J. B. Newcomer, master; II. H. 
Richardson, secretary ; W. D. Grimes, col- 
lector ; Jolm A. Robinson, receiver. 

There is also in the city a division of the 
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, a 
lodge of railroad conductors, a lodge of brake- 
men and an assembly of the Knights of Labor, 
all of which are quite prosperous societies. 

Waseca Lodge, No. 128, Independent Or- 
der of Good Templars, was organized Febru- 
ar}^ 15, 1868, with the following officers: 
W. W. Satterlee, W. C. T.; Mrs. L. A. Hicks, 
W. V. T.; A. E. Dearborn, W. S.; William 
McVeigh, W. F. S.; John F. Murphy, W. 
M.; Etta Taylor, W. D. M.; Mary Douglas, 
W. L G.; N. W. Scott. W. O. G.; G. N. 
Taylor, W. C. and E. G. Wood, P. W. C. T. 

The above was the first lodge of the kiiul 
in the city. The order has had varying suc- 
cess in this community, lodges being started, 
running a few years, then dying out, only to 
stai't again shortly after. 

Company A, Third Regiment Minnesota 
National Guards, was organized at Waseca, 
August 5, 1886, with about thirty members, 
and alread}^ manifest considerable efficiency 
in the drill and manual, principally owing to 
the excellence of the material upon which 
able officers have to work. The company is 
officered as follows : 11. A. Leavitt, captain ; 
D. Devine, first lieutenant ; Carl H. Young, 
second lieutenant, and H. A. Smith, ortlerly 
sergeant. 

MAPLEWOOD PARK. 

This is one of the attractive features of 



HISTORY OF WASKCA COUNTY. 



r33 



the beautiful scenery that suri'ounds the city 
of Waseca. Located upon a lovely wooded 
peninsula that juts boldly out into the crys- 
tal waters of Clear Lake, it is one of the 
favored spots on earth. Standing among 
tiie lofty trees, Avhose trunks stand like col- 
umns in the grand aisle in some noble cathe- 
dral, through the leafy covering that sweeps 
down to the water's edge, we catch here and 
there the diamond sparkle of the lambent 
waves when the sunlight plays upon the 
surface of the lake, or when the quieter 
light of the moon plays over its tranquil 
bosom, gather rest to our souls in the quiet 
enjoyment of its beauties. It is largely due 
to the energy of two men, Messrs. Jamison 
and Quirk, that Waseca is the possessor 
of such a lovely spot. In 1882 the place 
was the wood-lot of Moses Flummer, who 
sold it to A. P. Jamison and James Quirk, 
who employed T. P. A. Howe, a civil engi- 
neer of St. Paul, to lay it out into lots and 
blocks. Accordingly on the 19th of Novem- 
ber, 1883, he did so, and under their manage- 
ment and the auspices of the Methodist con- 
ference, it was carried on until July, 1886, 
when it was disposed of to the Maplewood 
Park Association, a society just organized. 
Ilei'e, yearly, meets the Chautauqua Assem- 
blj', that " feast of reason and flow of soul," 
where meet many of the intellectual people 
of the southern part of Minnesota, and enjoy 
the delights of culture amid the works of 
nature. 

The Maplewood Park Association was in- 
corporated August 13, 1883, with the follow- 
ing members : C. A. Van Anda, C. K. Stow- 
ers, Caleb Hallack, F. II. Tubbs, J. P. 
(3akey, C. M. Smith, C. A. Wright, E. G. 



Wood, N. S. Gordon, Hugh Wilson, E. M. 
Broughton, J. H. Parker, William Everett, 
I. C. Trowbridge, A. P. Jamison, H. C. 
Jennings, James Quirk, R. W. Peebe and 
John Staffoi'd. These gentlemen incorpo- 
rated themselves for the purpose of fitting up 
the park, and for the purpose of holding 
grove or camp meetings, Sunday-school as- 
semblies, meetings for religious instruction 
or worship, or mutual improvement in moral, 
literary or social culture. The capital stock 
of the association was, by the articles of in- 
corporation, fixed at $10,000 divided into 
1,000 shares of $10 each, and the indebted- 
ness of the same was limited to $3,000. The 
first officers were : C. A. Van Anda, of Min- 
meapolis, president ; C N. Stowers, of Fari- 
bault, vice president ; H. C. Jennings, of 
Waseca, secretary ; A. P. Jamison, of Wa- 
seca, treasurer ; and Robert Forbes, of Min- 
neapolis ; John Stafford, of Rochester ; Wil- 
liam Everett, of Waseca ; E. A. Knowlton, 
of Rochester ; James Quirk, of Waseca ; R. 
W. Beebe, of Mankato, and J. II. Parker, of 
Albert Lea, were directors. 

A daily paper called tlie Daily Chautau- 
qua^ during the time of assembly each sum- 
mer, which gives all the news of the same. 
Rev. H. C. Jennings is the editor. 

The present officers are : Rev. J. F. 
Chaffee, D. D., president ; William Everett, 
vice-president; Rev. II. C. Jennings, secre- 
tary ; A. P. Jamison, treasurer, and a board 
of direction consisting of the following par- 
ties : Rev. R. Forbes, D. D., E. A. Knowl- 
ton, George B. Arnold, G. R. Buckman, J. 
Quirk, J. A. Pugh and Rev. A. II. Gillet, 
D. D. 



42 



HISTORY 



^MINNESOTA> 



HISTORY OF MIJSTNESOTA. 



CHAPTER I. 




LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY AND GENERAL REMARKS. 



INNESOTA is located in the 
geographical center of the con- 
tinent of North America — mid- 
wa.y between the Atlantic and 
Pacific Oceans, and also midway 
between Hudson's Bay and the 
Gulf of Mexico. It embraces 
territor}' extending from latitude 
43 degrees 50 minutes, to 49 de- 
grees, and from 89 degrees 29 
minutes to 97 degrees 5 minutes 
west longitude. As to its area, 
it can only be estimated, as portions of the 
State are as yet unsurveyed ; but as near as 
can be arrived at, the area is 85,531 square 
miles, or about 53,760,000 acres. In size 
Minnesota is the fourth State in the Union. 
From its southern boundary to the northern 
is about 400 miles, and from the most east- 
ern to the extreme western point about 354 
miles. In altitude it appears to be one of 
the highest j)ortions of the continent, as the 
headwaters of the three great river systems 
are found in its limits — those of streams 
flowing northward to Hudson's Bay, east- 
ward to the Atlantic Ocean, and southward 
to the Gulf of Mexico. 

Nearly three-quarters of the surface of the 
State is made up of rolling prairie, inter- 
spersed with frequent groves, oak openings 
and belts of hard-wood timber, watered 
by numerous lakes and streams, and covered 
with a warm, dark soil of great fertilitj'. 
The balance, embracing the elevated district 



immediately west of Lake Superior, consists 
mainly of the rich mineral ranges on its 
shores, and of the pine forests which extend 
over the upper Mississippi country, afl'ording 
extensive supplies of timber. But a very 
small portion is broken, rocky or worthless 
land ; nearly all is arable. But few States 
are so well watered as Minnesota, and the 
numerous rivers and water-courses give ex- 
cellent drainage. A number of the rivers — 
the Mississippi, the Minnesota, the St. Croix, 
the St. Louis, the Red and the Red Lake riv- 
ers — are navigable, and nearly all of the 
balance afford water power. The lakes of 
Minnesota are among its principal phj^sical 
characteristics. The estimate of 10,000 lakes 
in the State is not an unreasonable one. 

With all these natui'al advantages, favor- 
able climate and rich soil, Minnesota- has 
become one of the most successful agricult- 
ural States in the Union, and stock-raising 
and dairying is rapidly becoming a leading 
industry. Lumbering is also carried on very 
extensively, and the manufacturing branch 
is rapidly becoming large. While at first it 
was supposed that this State was destitute 
of valuable minerals, recent discoveries prove 
to the contrary. Inexhaustible quantities of 
the best iron ore exist, and is now being 
mined and exported in large quantities. Sil- 
ver veins have also been found near the 
boundary line ; copper oi*e has also been 
found, and it is known that plumbago and 
gold quartz exist. Building material, gran- 



737 



738 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



ite, brownstone, limestone, sandstone and 
brick and potter's clay are abundant. 

A few words as to railroads and history 
relating to their construction will also be 
interesting. Twenty-five years ago (1862), 
there were only ten miles of railway in 
operation in the State. At the close of 1885 
there were 6,721 miles in operation. The 
general government has granted to railroads 
within this State 12,151,527 acres of land, 
and the State has given 1,811,750 acres of 
swamp and other lands, making a total of 
13,933,277 acres of land within the State 
given to railroads, valued on the average at 
$5 per acre, making $69,666,385 thus given. 
In addition, local, county and State bonds 
have been given them amounting to over 
$6,680,000, making in lands and cash a total 
gift of $76,496,385, or about $19,345 for 



every mile completed. There is material in 
these facts for an extended political essay, 
and they certainly furnish food for thought. 

In concluding these general remarks it 
may justly be said that the outlook for the 
State is most gratifying. Its population is 
rapidly increasing, and its taxable wealth 
increasing in similar ratio. Every year sees 
an enormous area of its rich soil brought 
under cultivation, while there are still mill- 
ions of acres awaiting the plow of the set- 
tler. 

The following table of census returns will 
show the growth of the State as to popula- 
tion: 1850, population 6,077; 1860, popula- 
tion 172,023 ; 1865, population 250.099 ; 1870, 
population 439,706; 1875, population 597, 
407; 1880, population 780,773, and in 1885 
he population was 1,117,798. 




CHAPTER II. 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA — FROM 1660 TO 1887. 




edge of 



HE lirst exploration b}' whites of 
the territory which now com- 
prises the State of Minnesota 
dates back early into the seven- 
teenth century. It is claimed 
by good authority that Jean 
Nicolet (pronounced Nicolay), 
one of Champlain's interpreters, 
was the first to spread knowl- 
the country west of Lake Michigan. 
As early as 1635 he set foot upon the 
western shores of Lake Michigan, and traded 
near Green Bay, also roaming over various 
portions of Wisconsin at about that time. 
In December of the same year he returned 
to Canada. It is very doubtful whether 
Nicolet ever set foot on Minnesota soil, 
although it is certain that his visit to the 
country west of Lake Michigan was the 
means of spreading knowledge of this 
country, and of the aborigines of Minnesota. 
It was said of him that he penetrated far 
distant countries, and in a letter bearing 
date of 1640, it is stated that "if he had 
proceeded three days more on a river which 
flows from that lake (Green Bay), he would 
have found the sea." The death of this 
explorer occurred at Three Rivers in 1640. 

After Nicolet's visit to Wisconsin, for a 
quarter of a century history brings no trace 
of any explorations concerning this region. 
At the end of this time, in 1660, the first 
white men of whom there is any reliable 
record, set foot on Minnesota soil. They 
were Medard Chouart, called Groselliers, 
and Pierre d'Esprit, who was known as Sieur 
Radisson. Both were Frenchmen who had 
come to Canada when young men to engage 



in the fur trade. About the middle of that 
century several important changes had been 
made in the location of Indian tribes. The 
Hurons and their allies, the Ottawas, after 
successive battles, had drifted to the west of 
Lake Michigan. In former times they had 
been located in the St. Lawrence region. 
Finally reaching the Mississippi they found 
the Iowa River. Later, returning to the 
Mississippi, the settled upon an island in the 
river near where the city of Hastings is 
now located ; but becoming involved in 
battles with the Sioux, we finally find the 
Hurons located about the headwaters of 
the Chippeway, and the Ottawas on the 
shores of Lake Superior, near where Bay- 
field is now situated. It was to trade with 
the Indians that the two Frenchmen men- 
tioned, GroseUiers and Radisson, made their 
trip to this wild region. They passed the 
winter of 16.59-60 among the Sioux villages 
in the Mille Lacs country, and the following 
spring and summer was spent in the region 
of Lake Superior. In August, 1660, they 
returned to Montreal, and their report of the 
country they had visited created much ex- 
citement. Within a few weeks an exploring 
and trading party was formed, and accom- 
panied by six Frenchmen and two priests, 
one of whom was the Jesuit, Rene Menard, 
they again started westward, and on the 
15th of October, 1660, they reached the 
Ottawa settlement on the shores of Lake 
Superior. The objects of this party were 
various, some bent on exploration, others 
on trading, while Father Menard went as 
a missionary. Groselliers (pronounced Gro- 
say-ya) and Radisson, accompanied by others, 



739 



7-ii) 



HISTOKY OF MINIVESOTA. 



pushed on through the country to the 
northwest of Lake Superior and at length 
reached Hudson's Bay. They returned 
to Montreal in May, 1662. The names 
of all the members of this party have 
not been preserved. Groselliers and Rad- 
isson proceeded to Paris, thence to Lon- 
don, where they were well received by 
the nobility and scientific men. A vessel 
was fitted out and placed at their disposal, 
in the hope of finding a northwest passage 
to Asia. Li June, 1668, they left England 
and made an extended vo^'age, reaching a 
tributary of Hudson's Bay and returning to 
England, where, in 1670, the famous trading 
corporation, the " Hudson's Bay Company," 
was chartered. 

Now to return to the venerable Father 
Menard, who had been left among the Ottawa 
Indians on the shores of Lake Superior in 
October, 1660. For nearly a year he lived 
there in a cabin built of fir branches. In 
the summer of 1661 he decided to visit the 
Hurons, who had fled eastward from the 
Sioux of Minnesota and were located among 
the woods of northern Wisconsin, as stated. 
He was accompanied by one Frenchman, 
whose name has been lost in the mist of 
years. They became separated, and Father 
Menard was lost, as Perrot says, "in the 
labyrinth of trees." This was the last ever 
positively known of him, although his brevi- 
ary and cassock were said afterward to 
have been found among the Sioux Indians. 
AVhether this good and venerable man 
starved or was murdered or captured by the 
Indians will forever be shrouded in mj'stery. 

These were the earliest explorations of the 
Northwest of which any record has been left, 
but after that period this region was visited 
by various parties at long intervals, and 
many interesting documents have been pre- 
served giving accounts of their journeys and 
discoveries. 

About the year 1665 several French trad- 
ers and the Jesuit, Allouez, visited the coun- 
try off the western shore of Lake Superior. 



Early in 1679 we find Daniel G. Du Luth 
west of Lake Michigan, and it is believed he 
planted the French arms on Minnesota soil. 
His records state that " on July 2d he caused 
his Majesty's arms to be planted in the great 
village of the Nadousioux, called Kathio, 
and at Songaskicous and Houetbatons, one 
hundred and twenty leagues distant from 
the former." Rev. E. D. Neill in his 
thorough work relating to early explorers of 
Minnesota, locates this as being "one hun- 
dred and twenty leagues beyond Mille 
Lacs." Du Luth states that at one point on 
Minnesota soil he found upon a tree this 
legend : " Arms of the King cut on this tree 
in the year 1679." He established several 
posts, carried on trading with the Indians, 
and was probably the most prominent of 
the early explorers. Later he was stationed 
near Lake Erie and died in 1710. His 
reports furnish much interesting information 
regarding the early explorations in the 
Northwest. 

La Salle was given a commission by the 
King of France in 1678 to "explore the 
West," and do limited trading. He visited 
various parts of the Northwest. His jeal- 
ousy of Du Luth appears to form a consider- 
able portion of his official reports, but it is 
stated on good authority that he wrote the 
first description of the upper Mississippi 
Valley, August 22. 1682, some months before 
the publication of Father Henne])in's first 
work, "Description de la Louisiane." He 
must, however, have obtained his information 
from one of Hennepin's men. 

Father Louis Hennepin's explorations and 
adventures through the Northwest form an 
interesting chapter in the earlier history of 
this region. He was a native of Ath, an in- 
land town of the Netherlands, and had early 
assumed the robes of priesthood. In 1676 
he came to Canada, and two years later was 
ordered to join the La Salle exploring expe- 
dition. A ship was rigged, and on August 
7th, 1679, its sails caught the breezes of 
Lake Erie — the first European vessel 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



741 



launched on the great lakes. La Salle con- 
ducted his expedition to Green Bay, thence 
along the coast of Lake Michigan, and about 
the middle of January, 1680, landed it on an 
eminence near Lake Peoria, on the Illinois 
River, where he commenced the erection of 
J"'ort Crevecoeur. On the last of February of 
the same year, Father Hennepin, in company 
with Michael Accault (Ako) and Angelle, 
left the fort to ascend the Mississippi River. 
On the 11th of April, 1680, after having 
reached a point north of the Chippewa River, 
they were met and taken charge of by a 
party of over a hundred Sioux Indians. They 
then proceeded with the Indians to their 
villages, nearly sixty leagues north of St. An- 
thony falls. Thej' remained with the Indians 
some time, being well treated, and on the 
25th of July, 1680, they were met by Du 
Luth, who was accompanied by his interpi-e- 
ter, Faffart, and several French soldiers. 
They then proceeded to Mille Lacs, arriving, 
according to Father's Hennepin writings, on 
the 11th of August, 1680. In the latter part 
of September they started to return to the 
French settlement, passing by St. Anthony 
falls. Father Hennepin published two works 
relating to his discoveries, the first, " De- 
scription de la Louisiane," in 1836; the sec- 
ond, " The New Discovery," in 1697. These 
works called forth much criticism, as there 
can be no doubt Hennepin greatly magnified 
his own importance, and exaggerated his 
services and discoveries. For instance, he 
claims to have descended the Mississippi 
River to the Gulf of Mexico, before proceed- 
ing northward, then returned and proceeded 
on to the St. Anthony falls. This in the face 
of his own stated facts — leaving Fort Creve- 
coeur the last of February, he claims to have 
made this wonderful trip, and arrived two 
miles south of where the city of St. Paul is 
now located, late in April, giving the 11th 
of April as the date of their capture by the 
Indians. However this may be, Father 
Hennepin's work was not in vain, and his 
memory is entitled to the credit for that 



which he did. His publications hastened and 
facilitated exploration, and his failing — if 
such it was — should be treated with charity. 
La Salle speaks of him highly, but charitably 
says, " it was his failing to magnify those 
adventures which concerned him." 

During 1684, Nicholas Perrot and Le 
Sueur visited Lake Pepin, and the following 
winter the French traded with the Indians 
on Minnesota soil. Perrot had been ap- 
pointed by the governor of Canada as the 
commandant for the West, and was accom- 
panied by twenty men. Upon his arrival he 
caused a stockade to be built on the east 
bank of Lake Pepin, which bore his name 
for many years. He discovered a number of 
lead mines, and his name figures conspicu- 
ously in the history of the early French ex- 
plorations and frontier work. Perrot re- 
mained for some time after building the fort, 
then, in 1686, returned to Green Bay. He 
passed much time in collecting allies for the 
expedition against the Iroquois in New York, 
and in the spring of 1687, was with Du Luth 
and Tonty with the French and Indian allies 
in the expedition against the Senecas of the 
Genesee Valley in New York. The follow- 
ing year he was sent with a company of 
Frenchmen to reoccupy the post on Lake 
Pepin, in Minnesota, and it was in 1689 that 
Perrot, in the presence of Father Joseph 
James Marest, a Jesuit, Boisguiblot, a trader 
on the Wisconsin and Mississippi, and Le 
Seur, made a formal record of taking posses- 
sion of the Sioux country in the name of the 
King of France. 

Le Sueur, who accompanied Perrot in his 
first trip to Lake Pepin in 1684, was inti- 
mately connected with that explorer's move- 
ments. In 1692 Le Sueur was sent by Gov. 
Frontenac, of Canada, to the extremity 
of Lake Superior to maintain peace between 
the Indian tribes. Entering the Sioux 
country, in 1694, he established a post upon a 
prairie island, nine miles below where Hast- 
ings is now located. He was accompanied 
by Penicaut and others. Here they estab- 



742 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



lished a fort and storehouse and passed the 
winter, as game was verj'^ abundant. On 
July 15, 1695, Le Sueur went back to Mon- 
treal accompanied by a part}- of Ojibways, 
and the first Dakotah brave that ever visited 
Canada. Le Sueur then visited France, and 
in 1697 received a license to open certain 
mines that were supposed to exist in Minne- 
sota. The ship in which he was returning 
was captured by the English, and he was 
taken to England ; when released he returned 
to France and secured a new commission, but 
it was afterward suspended. Fortunatelv, 
D'llberville, a kinsman of Le Sueur, was ap- 
pointed governor of the new territory of 
Louisiana, and in December, 1699, Le Sueur 
arrived from France with thirty workmen 
to proceed to the mines. During the next 
year he ascended the Minnesota Eiver with 
his expedition, and in October, 1700, built a 
fort on the Blue Earth Eiver, which he 
named L'Huillier. This was occupied by 
Le Sueur's men until 1702, when it was 
abandoned because of the hostility of the 
Indians. Charlevoix, who visited the val- 
ley of the lower Mississippi in 1722, says that 
" Le Sueur spent at least one winter in his 
fort on the banks of the Blue Earth, and 
that in the following April he went up to the 
mine, aboitt a mile above, and in twenty-two 
days they obtained more than 30,000 pounds 
of the substance — lead." Le Sueur estimated 
the Sioux Indians at that time as beinsr 
four thousand families. 

In 1703 a little volume was published in 
France and England b\' Baron La Hon- 
tan, giving an account of his " travels," in 
which he claimed to have penetrated and 
pursued explorations through the territory 
which now forms Minnesota, farther than 
any of his predecessors. He states that he 
found a river tributary to the Mississippi, 
and describes a journey of 500 miles up this 
stream, which he named Long Eiver. His 
wonderful story was believed at the time 
and the river was placed upon the early 
maps; but in later years it was discredited 



and is now by the closest students and ablest 
historians treated as fabulous. 

In September, 1727, Fort Beauharnois was 
erected and a French post established on the 
shores of Lake Pepin, under the directions of 
Sieur de la Perriere. An extensive trade 
was carried on with the Indians here, and it 
was occupied for a number of years. In 1728 
Veranderie, who had been placed in com- 
mand of a post on Lake NepigOn, began lay- 
ing plans for finding a communication with 
the Pacific Ocean. An expedition was fitted 
out which left Montreal in 1731, under the 
management of his sons and a nephew, De la 
Jemeraye, he not joining the party until 
1733. A fourth son joined the expedition 
in 1735. In the autumn of 1731, the party 
reached Eainy Lake, at the foot of which 
a post, called Fort St. Pierre, was erected. 
The next year they reached Lake of the 
Woods, and established Fort St. Charles on 
its southwest bank. A few miles from Lake 
Winnepeg they established a post on the 
Assinaboine, and a fort was established on 
the Maurepas (Winnepeg) Eiver. In June. 
1736, while twenty -one of the expedition 
were encamped on an isle in the Lake of the 
Woods, they were surprised by a band of 
Sioux Indians hostile to the French allies, 
and all were killed. The island on this ac- 
count is called Massacre Island. The ?e- 
maining portion of the expedition pro- 
gressed as best they could. October 3, 
1738, they built an advanced post called 
Fort la Eeine on the Assinaboine Eiver. 
They came in sight of the Eocky Mountains 
on the 1st of January, 1743, and, on the 
12th, ascended them. In 1744, after plant- 
ing a leaden plate of the arms of France in 
the upper Missouri countrv, they returned, 
reaching Minnesota soil late in June, and 
after establishing several posts in the ex- 
treme northern frontier country they finally 
returned to Montreal. Expeditions were 
afterward fitted out, one of which again 
reached the Eocky Mountains, but the clash 
of arms between France and England put 



HISTOBT OF MINNESOTA. 



743 



an end to the explorations so far as the 
French were concerned. 

In 1763, by the treaty of Versailles, France 
ceded Minnesota east of the Mississippi to 
England and west of it to Spain. In 1766 
Capt. Jonathan Carver, the first British sub- 
ject, although a native of Connecticut, visited 
the Falls of St. Anthony. He spent some 
three years among the different tribes of 
Indians in the upper Mississippi country ; 
found the Indian nations at war and suc- 
ceeded in making peace between them. As 
a reward for his good offices, it is claimed 
that two chiefs of the Sioux, acting for their 
nation, at a council held with Carver at a 
great cave, now within the corporate limits 
of St. Paul, deeded to Carver a vast tract of 
land on the Mississippi Eiver, extending from 
the Falls of St. Anthony to the foot of Lake 
Pepin, on the Mississippi, thence east one 
hundred miles ; thence north one hundred 
and twenty miles ; thence west to the place 
of beginning. This ]M'etended grant, how- 
ever, was examined by our government and 
totally ignored. 

At the beginning of the present century 
there were no white men in Minnesota, except 
the few engaged in the fur trade, and the posts 
Avere chiefly held by the Northwest Com- 
pany, which corporation in 1794 erected a 
stockade at Sandy Lake. In 1802 we find 
William Morrison trading at Leech Lake, and 
two years later at Itasca. In the meantime, 
in 1796, the laws of the ordinance of 1787 
had been extended over the Northwest, and 
on May 7, 1800, that part of Minnesota east 
of the Mississippi had become a part of In- 
diana by the division of Ohio. On the 20th 
of December, 1803, that part of Minnesota 
west of the Mississippi, for forty years in the 
possession of Spain as a part of Louisiana, 
was ceded to the United States by Napoleon 
Bonaparte, who had just obtained it from 
Spain. In 1804 Upper Louisiana Territory 
was constituted. During the following year 
the United States for the first time sent an 
officer to Minnesota, in the person of Lieut. 



Z. M. Pike, who established government re- 
lations and obtained the Fort Snelling reser- 
vation from the Dakotahs. He remained 
here for some time, but the war of 1812 
coming on postponed the military occupa- 
tion of the upper Mississippi by the United 
States for several years. Pike afterward 
fell in battle at York, in Upper Canada. 

In 1817 the Earl of Selkirk, a nobleman, 
visited the Scotch colony on the Red River, 
established in 1812, and created quite an ex- 
citement on the part of some of the United 
States authorities. The same year Mayor 
Stephen H. Long, of the United States En- 
gineer Corps, visited Minnesota and made a 
report recommending the bluff at the junc- 
tion of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers 
as a site for a fort. 

In 1819 Minnesota east of the Mississippi 
River became a part of Crawford County, 
J\[ich. During the same year Fort Snell- 
ing was established and the site of Mendota 
was occupied by the United States troops, 
under Col. Leavenworth. Major Taliaferro 
was appointed Indian agent. 

During the year 1820 much of interest 
transpired on Minnesota soil. Early in the 
spring Jean Baptiste Faribault brought 
Leavenworth's horses from Prairie duChien. 
On the 5th of May Col. Leavenworth estab- 
lished summer quarters at Camp Cold water, 
(Hennepin County). In July Gov. Cass, of 
Michigan, visited the camps. In August Col. 
Joshia Snelling succeeded Leavenworth in 
command, and on the 20th of September tlie 
corner-stone of Fort Snelling (then Fort St. 
Anthony) was laid. On the 15th of April 
the superintendent of farming for Earl Sel- 
kirk left Prairie du Chien, having purchased 
seed wheat; he ascended the Minnesota 
River to Big Stone Lake, where the boats 
were placed on rollers, dragged a short dis- 
tance to Lake Traverse, and reached Pembina 
June 3. This year the first marriage in 
Minnesota occurred, Lieut. Green to a 
daughter of Capt. Gooding. The first birth 
of a white child in the State occurred this 



744 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



year, a daughter to Col. Snelling ; died the 
following year. 

In 1821 Fort St. Anthony (Snelling) was 
sufficiently completed to be occupied by 
troops. During this year a sawmill was 
constructed at St. Anthony Falls for the use 
of the garrison under the supervision of 
Lieut. McCabe. 

Nothing of particular interest transpired 
during 1822. In 1823, however, the first 
steamboat, the Virginia, arrived at the mouth 
of the Minnesota Eiver on the 10th of May, 
and created consternation among the Indians. 
Beltrami, the Italian, during the same year 
explored the northernmost sources of the 
Mississipjii, and Maj. Long, of the United 
States armj^, visited the northern boundary 
by way of the Minnesota and Eed rivers. 
Millstones for grinding flour were sent to 
St. Anthony to be placed in the sawmill. 

In 1824 Gen. Winfield Scott visited Fort 
St. Anthony, and at his suggestion the name 
was changed to Fort Snelling. 

After this time events crowd rapidly one 
after the other to till in the time. From 
1825 on, the arrival of steamboats became 
more frequent. During this year a heavy 
flood visited the Eed Eiver, and a portion of 
the colony were driven to Minnesota and 
settled near Fort Snelling. 

In 1832 Schoolcraft explored the sources 
of the Mississippi Eiver, and during the fol- 
lowing year Eev. W. T. Boutwell established 
the first mission among the Ojibways on 
Leech Lake. About the same time E. F. Ely 
opened a mission school at Atkins, a trading 
post on Sandy Lake. 

That portion of Minnesota lying west of 
the Mississippi Eiver was attached to lilichi- 
gan in 1834. During this year Gen. H. II. 
Sibley settled at Mendota as agent for the 
fur company, and Samuel W. and Gideon 
H. Pond, missionaries among the Sioux, ar- 
rived. They were followed tlie next year 
by T. S. Williamson. J. D. Stevens and Alex- 
ander G. Huggins, and in June, 1835, a 
Presbyterian Church was organized at Fort 



Snelling. Late the same year Maj. J. L. 
Bean, in accordance with the treaty of 1825, 
surveyed the Sioux and Chippeway bound- 
ary line as far as Otter Tail Lake. 

In 1836 the Territory of Wisconsin was 
organized, embracing all of Minnesota east 
of the Mississippi Eiver; that territory west 
of the river being attached to Iowa. A 
number of steamboats arrived during this 
year, a passenger on one of them being the 
distinguished French astronomer, Jean N. 
Nicollet. 

In 1837 Gov. Dodge, of Wisconsin, made 
a treaty at Fort Snelling with the Ojib- 
ways, by which the latter ceded all their 
pine lands on the St. Croix and its tributaries ; 
a treaty was also effected at Washington 
with a deputation of Dakotahs for their pine 
lands east of the Mississippi. These treaties 
led the way to the first actual settlements in 
the State. The treaty was ratified by Con- 
gress in 1838. At about this time Franklin 
Steele made a claim at St. Anthony Falls ; 
Pierre Parrant took a claim and built a cabin 
on the present site of St. Paul ; Jeremiah 
Eussell and L. W. Stratton made the first 
claim at Marine in the St. Croix Valley. 
During the year 1838 a steamboat arrived at 
Fort Snelling with J. N. Nicollet and J. C. 
Fremont on a scientific expedition. Develop- 
ment begins in the St. Croix Valley. The 
next year the chapel of "St. Paul" was 
built and consecrated, s^ivino- the name to 
the capital of the State. 

Henry M. Eice arrived at Fort Snelling 
in 1840, others came and in November, 1841, 
St. Croix County was established with 
" Dakotah " designated as the county -seat. 

On the 10th of October, 1843. a settlement 
was commenced on the present site of the 
city of Stillwater, and the erection of a saw- 
mill was immediately commenced. The 
names of the town proprietors were : John 
McKusick, from Maine ; Calvin Leach, from 
Vermont ; Elam Greeley, from Maine and 
Elias McKeane. from Pennsylvania. 

Dr. E. D. Neill in his '' Explorers and Pio- 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



745 



neers of Minnesota," says that in 184:6 " the 
site of St. Paul was chiefly occupied by a 
few shanties, owned by ' certain lewd fellows 
of the baser sort,' who sold rum to the sol- 
diers and Indians." On the Gth of August, 
1846, the Wisconsin enabling act was passed. 

In 1847 St. Croix County was detached 
from Crawford Count}', Wis., and reorgan- 
ized for civil and judicial purposes with Still- 
water as the county-seat. The town of St. 
Paul was surveyed and platted, and recorded 
in .St. Croix County. During this year the 
Wisconsin constitutional convention was held. 

On the 29th of May, 1848, Wisconsin was 
admitted to the Union, leaving Minnesota 
(with its present boundaries) without a gov- 
ernment, and on the 26th of tlie following 
August a convention was held at Stillwater 
to take measures foi- a separate territorial or- 
ganization. On the 30th of October, 1848, 
Henry H. Sibley was elected delegate to 
Congress, and he was admitted to a seat 
January 15, 1849. Marcli 3d, 1849, a bill 
was passed organizing Minnesota Territory, 
and on the 19th of the same month territo- 
rial officers were appointed. June 1st Gov. 
Ramsey issued a proclamation declaring 
the teri'itory organized, and on September 3d 
the first territorial Legislature assembled. In 
1851 the capital of the State was permanent- 
ly located, as was also the penitentiary. In 
June, 1854, the first line of railway was com- 
pleted to St. Paul. 

On the 23d of February, 1857, an act 
passed the United States Senate, to author- 
ize the ])eople of Minnesota to form a consti- 
tution, preparatory to their admission to tlie 
Union. In June a constitutional convention 
was held, and the State constitution was 
framed. This was adopted on tlie 13th of 
October, 1857, and a fuU fist of State officers 
was elected. On the lltli of May, 1858, the 
President approved of the bill admitting the 
State, and Minnesota was fully recognized as 
one of the United States of America. The 
first State officers were sworn in on the 24tli 
of Mav. 



From this time on we can only briefly re- 
view the most important events that have 
transpired. A great tide of immigration had 
set in early in the " fifties," which rapidly 
filled up portions of the State, until in 1857 
a census gave the State a total population of 
150,037. During that year, however, real 
estate speculation reached a climax, and the 
terrible financial panic occurred, which great- 
l.y retarded the settlement. 

In 1858 the State loan of $250,000 was 
negotiated ; five million loan bill was 
passed, being voted on April 15; great strin- 
gency in money market. 

During 1859 the hard times continued 
to intensify. "Wright Count}' War" oc- 
curred ; " Glencoe " and " Owatonna" money 
was issued ; work on the land grant roads 
ceased ; collapse of the five million scheme ; 
first export of grain tliat fall ; hard political 
struggle, in whicli the Republicans tri- 
umphed. 

Anotlier warm political canvass occurred 
in 1800 ; the census talventhis j'ear gave the 
State a total population of 172,123. 

In 1861 war cast its gloom over tlie coun- 
tiy ; on April 13th the President's proclama- 
tion for troops was received ; the first regi- 
ment recruited at once, and June 22d it em- 
barked at Fort Snelling for the seat of Avar. 
In 1862 occurred the memorable Sioux 
outbreak ; August 17tli, massacre at Acton ; 
August 18th, outbreak at Lower Sioux 
Agency ; 19th, New Ulm attacked ; 20th, 
Fort Ridgely attacked ; 25th, second attack 
on New Ulm ; 30th, Fort Abercrombie be- 
sieged ; September 1st, the blood}' affair at 
Birch Coolie ; 19th, first railroad in Minne- 
sota in o]ieration, between St. Paul and 
Minneai)olis; 22d, battle of Wood Lake; 
26tli, captives surrendered by the Indians at 
Camp Release; military commission tried 
321 Indians for murder, 303 condemned to 
die ; December 26th, thirty-eight hung at 
Mankato. 

In 1863 Gen. Sibley conducted an expedi- 
tion to the Missouri River ; July 3d, Little 



746 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



Crow was killed ; July 24th, battle of Big 
Mound ; 26th, battle of Dead Buffalo Lake : 
July 28th, battle of Stony Lake. 

I-n 1864 the civil war was still in progress, 
and large levies for troops were made in 
Minnesota ; expedition to Missouri Eiver, un- 
der Sully ; inflation of money market ; occa- 
sional Indian raids. 

In 1865 the war closed and peace returns ; 
Minnesota regiments return and are dis- 
banded ; in all, 25,052 troops were furnished 
by the State ; census showed 250,000 inhabi- 
tants. 

After the close of the war, and from 1866 
until 1872, " good times " prevailed ; immigra- 
tion was very heavy, and real estate and 
all values were inflated. The western por- 
tion of the State received many settlers. 
Railway construction was very active. 

In 1873 the famous grasshopper raid began 
throughout the western part of the State, 
and continued about five seasons. January 
7-8-9 of this year, a terrible storm swept 
over the State, in which seventy persons per- 
ished. In September of the same year, the 
financial " panic of 1873 " began. 



In 1874 and 1875 nothing of especial im- 
portance occurred. 

On the 7th of September, 1876, an attack 
was made on the Bank of Northfield by a 
gang of armed outlaws from Missouri ; three 
of the latter were killed, and three were capt- 
ured. 

In 1877 biennial sessions amendment was 
adopted. 

In 1878 (May 2), three flouring mills at 
Minneapolis exploded, and eighteen lives 
lost. 

On November 15th. 1880, a portion of the 
hospital for the insane, at St. Peter, was de- 
stroyed by fire; eighteen inmates were 
burned to death, seven died subsequently of 
injuries and fright, and six were missing. 
Total loss was $150,000. 

In 1881 the State capitol at St. Paul was 
destroj'ed by fire- 
In 1884 the State prison, located at Still- 
water, was partly burned. 

In 1886 (April 14), a cyclone swept over 
St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids, demolishing 
scores of buildings, and killing about seventy 
people. 




CHAPTER III. 




THE INDIAN MASSACEE. 



IhE outbreak of the Indians in 
1S62 furnishes one of the most 
interesting chapters in Minneso- 
ta's history. At the time of this 
sad tragedy there were scat- 
tered tliroughout the State vari- 
ous bands of Sioux Indians, a 
powerful and wariike nation. 
They included the Medawakontons (or Village 
of the Spirit Lake) ; Wapatons, (or Village 
of the Leaves) ; Sissetons (or Village of the 
Marsh), and "Wapakutas (or Leaf Shooters). 
These four tribes, numbering about six thou- 
sand and two hundred persons, comprised 
the entire annuity Sioux of Minnesota. 
All these Indians had from time to time, 
from the 19th of July, 1S15, to the date of 
the massacre in 1862, received presents from 
the government, by virtue of various treaties 
of amity and friendship. From the time of 
the treaty of St. Louis in 1S16, these tribes 
had remained friendly to the whites, and 
had by treaty stipulations parted with all 
the lands to which they claimed title in 
Iowa ; all on the east side of the Mississippi 
River, and all on the Minnesota Eiver in 
Minnesota, except certain reservations. One 
of these reservations lay upon both sides of 
the Minnesota ten miles on either side of 
that stream, from Hawk River on the north 
to Yellow Medicine River on the south side, 
thence westerly to the head of Big Stone Lake 
and Lake Traverse, a distance of about one 
hundred miles. Another of these reserva- 
tions commenced at Little Rock River on 
the east and a line running due south from 
its mouth, and extending up the river 
westerly to the eastern line of the reserva- 



tion first named, at the Hawk and Yellow 
Medicine rivers. The last also had a width 
of ten miles on each side of the Minnesota 
River. 

Early in 1858 a scheme was devised by 
the authorities at Washington for the civili- 
zation of these annuity Indians. A civiliza- 
tion fund was provided, to be taken from their 
annuities and expended in improving the 
lands of such as should abandon their tribal 
relations and adopt the habits and modes of 
life of the whites. To all such, lands were 
assigned in severalty, eighty acres to the 
head of each family, on which should be 
erected the necessary farm buildings, and 
farming implements and cattle furnished 
him. At the time of the outbreak about one 
hundred and seventy-five Indians had taken 
advantage of the provisions of this treaty 
and become " farmer Indians." A great 
majority of the Indians, however, disliked 
the idea of taking any portion of their gen- 
eral fund to carry out the civilization scheme. 
Those who retained the blanket, called 
"blanket Indians," denounced tlie measure 
as a fraud, as it was slowly but surely 
destroying what was, to them, their God- 
given right to the chase. The result, in brief, 
of this civilization scheme was this : After 
the chase was over the " blanket Indians " 
would pitch their tents about tlie homes of 
the "farmer Indians" and proceed to eat 
them out of house and home, and when the 
ruin was complete, the " farmer " witli his 
wife and children, driven by necessity, would 
again seek temporary subsistence in the 
chase. During their absence the " blanket 
Indians" would commit whatever destruc- 



717 



748 



HISTOKY OF MINNESOTA. 



tion of fences or tenements their desires or 
necessities would suggest. In this way the an- 
nual process continued, so that when the 
"farmer Indian" returned to his desolate 
home in the spring to prepare again for a 
crop, he looked forward to no different re- 
sults for the coming winter. It will thus be 
seen that the civilization scheme was an ut- 
ter failure. 

The treaty referred to, of 1858, had opened 
for settlement a vast frontier country of the 
most attractive character in the valley of 
the Minnesota River, and on the streams put- 
ting into the Minnesota on either side, such 
as Beaver Creek, Sacred Heart, Hawk and 
Chippewa rivers, and some other small 
streams, there were flourishing settlements 
of white families. Within this ceded tract, 
ten miles wide, were the scattered settle- 
ments of Birch Coolie, Patterson Rapids, 
and others as far up as the upper agency at 
Yellow Medicine, in Renville Count\'. The 
county of Brown adjoined the reservation, 
and was at that time settled mostly by Ger- 
mans. Here was also the flourishing town 
of New Uhn, and further on was a thriving 
settlement on the Big Cottonwood and 
Watonwan. Other counties. Blue Earth, 
Nicollet, Sibley, Meeker, McLeod, Kandiyohi, 
Monongalia and Murray, together with others 
somewliat removed from the direct attack of 
the Indians, as Wright, Stearns and Jackson, 
and even reaching on the north to Fort 
Abercrombie, thus extending from Iowa to 
the valley of the Red River of the North, 
were severally involved in the consequences 
of the warfare of 1862. This extended area 
had a population estimated at over fift_y 
thousand. 

Early in the fifties complaints began to be 
made by the Indians, and dissatisfaction be- 
gan to be manifest. By the treaty of Trav- 
erse des Sioux, dated July 23, 1851, between 
the United States and the Sissetons and 
Wapatons, $275,000 was to be paid their 
chiefs, and a further sum of $30,000 was to 
be expended for their benefit in Indian im- 



provements. By the treaty of Mendota, 
dated August 5, 1851, the Medawakantons 
and Wapakutas were to receive the sum of 
$200,000, to be paid to their chief, and a fur- 
ther sum of $30,000. These several sums 
amounting in the aggregate to $550,000, 
these Indians, to whom they were payable, 
claim they were never paid, except perhaps 
a small portion expended in improvements. 
This led to great dissatisfaction, of which 
the government was fully apprised. Several 
parties were at different times sent out by the 
Indian department of the government to in- 
vestigate into the causes, but the rascality 
of the agents and officers who had defrauded 
the Indians had been carefully covered up, 
and as usual in such cases the guilty parties 
were exculpated. This was one of the leatl- 
ing and most important causes which led to 
the massacre of 1862. 

Another cause of irritation among these 
annuity Sioux arose out of the Spirit Lake 
massacre of 1857 — known as the Inkpadutah 
massacre. Inkpadutah was an outlaw of 
the Wapakuta band of Sioux Indians, and 
his acts were entirely disclaimed by the " an- 
nuity Sioux."' He had committed murder in 
his own tribe some twenty years previous, 
and since had led a wandering and marautling 
life about the headwaters of the Ues Moines 
River and westward to Dakota. Finality his 
outrages reached aclimax, when early in 1857 
with a few of his followers, he proceeded to 
murder every family in the little settlement 
about Spirit Lake, Iowa, except four women 
whom they bore away captives. From there 
they went to the Springfield settlement (on 
thepresentsiteof Jackson, Minn.), whei'ethe\' 
murdered seventeen people, making a total of 
forty seven persons killed. They then re- 
treated westward. Shortly after the mas- 
sacre at Springfield (now Jackson) a com- 
pany of regular soldiers under Capt. Bee 
was stationed at that place, and had the 
officer been a zealous or capable one might 
easiW have overtaken and punished them. 
As stated the " annuitv Sioux " disclaimed the 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



7-i9 



acts of this outlaw ; but for a time the gov- 
ernment refused to pay the annuities until 
they should deliver up the murderers. In a 
short time, however, the government let the 
matter drop, and continued to pay the an- 
nuities as before. Some thought that this 
was a great error, and that the Indians mis- 
took it for a sign of weakness. 

However that may be, as time went on 
the Indians became more and more insolent, 
and Little Crow, together with a few leaders 
among the annuity Sioux, from the time the 
government ceased its efforts to punish Ink- 
padutah, began to agitate and plan the great 
conspiracy to drive the whites from the State 
of Minnesota. Little Crow was one of the 
" farmer Indians," whose headquarters was 
a short distance above the Lower Agency, 
who is credited with being the leadei" in the 
outbreak against the whites. 

The antecedent exciting causes of this 
massacre are numerous. The displaced 
agents and traders find the cause in the er- 
roneous action of the government, resulting 
in their removal from office. The statesman 
and the philosopher may unite in tracing the 
cause to improper theories as to the mode of 
acquiring the right to Indian lands. The 
former may locate the evil in our s^'stem of 
treaties, and the latter in our theories of gov- 
ernment. The philanthropist may find the 
cause in the absence of justice which we ex- 
hibit in all our intercourse with the Indian 
races. The poet and the lovers of romance 
in human character find the true cause, as 
they believe, in the total absence of all ap- 
preciation of the noble, generous, confiding 
traits peculiar to the native Indian. The 
Christian teacher finds apologies for acts of 
Indian atrocities in the deficient sj'stems of 
mental and moral culture. Each of these 
different classes are satisfied that the great 
massacre of August, 1S62, had its origin in 
some way intimately connected with his 
favorite theory. 

Maj. Thomas Galbraith, Sioux agent, 
says, in writing of the causes which led to 

43 



the massacre : " The radical, moving cause 
of the outbreak is, I am satisfied, the in- 
grained anil fixed hostility of the savage bar- 
barian to reform and civilization. As in all 
barbarous communities in the history of the 
world, the same people have, for the most 
part, resisted the encroachments of civiliza- 
tion upon their ancient customs, so it is in 
the case before us. Nor does it matter ma- 
terially in what shape civilization makes its 
attack. Hostile, opposing forces meet in 
conflict, and a war of social elements is the 
result — civilization is aggressive, and bar- 
barism stubbornly resistant. Sometimes, 
indeed, civilization has achieved a bloodless 
victory, but generally it has been otherwise. 
Christianit}', itself, the true basis of civiliza- 
tion, has, in most instances, waded to success 
through seas of blood. . . . Having 
stated thus much, I state, as a settled fact 
in my mind, that the encroachments of 
Christianity, and its handmaid, civilization, 
upon the habits and customs of the Sioux 
Indians, is the cause of the late terrible Sioux 
outbreak. There were, it is true, many im- 
mediate inciting causes, which will be allud- 
ed to and stated hereafter, but they are sub- 
sidiary to, and developments of, or incident 
to, the great cause set forth. . . . But 
that the recent Sioux outbreak would have 
happened at any rate, as a result, a fair con- 
sequence of the cause here stated, I have no 
doubt. 

" Now as to the existing or immediate 
causes of the outbreak : By my predecessor a 
new and radical system was inaugurated ; 
practically, and in its inauguration, he was 
aided by the Christian missionaries and by 
the government. The treaties of 1858 were 
ostensibl}' made to carry this new system 
into effect. The theory, in substance, was 
to break up the community system which 
obtained among the Sioux, weaken and de- 
stroy their tribal relations, and individualize 
them, by giving them each a separate home. 
On the 1st day of June, A. D. 
1861, when I entered upon the duties of my 



750 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



office, I found that the system had just been 
inaugurated. Some hundred families of the 
annuity Sioux had become novitiates, and 
their relatives and friends seemed to be 
favorably disposed to the new order of 
things. But I also found that, against these 
were arrayed over five thousand 'annuit}' 
Sioux,' besides at least three thousand Yank- 
tonais, all inflamed hy the most bitter, re- 
lentless and devilish hostility. 

" I saw, to some extent, the difficulty of 
the situation, but I determined to continue, 
if in m}' power, the civilization system. To 
favor it, to aid and build it up by every fair 
means, I advised, encouraged, and assisted 
the farmer novitiates ; in short I sustained 
the policy inaugurated by my predecessor, 
and sustained and recommended by the gov- 
ernment. I soon discovered that the system 
cuuld not be successful without a sufficient 
force to protect the ' farmer ' from the hos- 
tility of the ' blanket' Indians. 

" During my term, and up to the time of 
the outbreak, about 175 had their hair cut 
and had adopted the habits and customs of 
the white men. 

" For a time, indeed, my hopes were strong 
that civilization would soon be in the as- 
cendant. But the increase in the civilization 
party and their evident prosperity, only 
tended to exasperate the Indians of the ' an- 
cient customs,' and to widen the breach. But 
while these are to be enumerated, it may be 
permitted me to hope tliat the radical cause 
will not be forgotten or overlooked ; and I 
am bold to express this desire, because, ever 
since the outbreak, the public journals of the 
country, religious and secular, have teemed 
with editorials by and communications from 
'reliable individuals,' ])oliticians, philanthro- 
pists, philosophers and iiired ' penny-a-liners,' 
mostly mistaken and sometimes willfully 
and grossly false, giving the cause of the 
Indian raid." 

Maj. Galbraith enumerates a variety of 
other exciting causes of the massacre, which 
our limit will not allow us to insert in this 



volume. Among other causes, . . that 
the United States was itself at war, and that 
Washington was taken by the negroes. . . 
But none of these were, in his opinion, the 
cause of the outbreak. 

The Major then adds : 

" Grievances such as have been related, 
and numberless others akin to them, were 
spoken of, recited, and chanted at their 
councils, dances and feasts, to such an extent 
that, in their excitement, in June, 1862, a 
secret organization known as the 'Soldiers' 
Lodge ' was founded by the young men and 
soldiers of the lower Sioux, with the object, 
as far as I was able to learn through spies 
and informers, of preventing the ' traders ' 
from going to the pay-tables, as had been 
their custom. Since the outbreak I have 
become satisfied that the real object of this 
' Lodge ' was to adopt measures to ' clean 
out ' all the white people at the end of the 
payment." 

Whatever may have been the cause of the 
fearful and bloody tragedy, it is certain that 
the manner of the execution of the infernal 
deed was a deep-laid conspiracj', long cher- 
ished by Little Crow, taking form under the 
guise of the " Soldiers" Lodge," and matured 
in secret Indian councils. In all these secret 
movements Little Crow was the moving 
spirit. 

Now the opportune moment seemed to 
have come. Only thirty soldiers were sta- 
tioned at Fort Ridgely. Some thirty were 
all that Fort Ripley could muster, and at 
Fort Abercrombie, one company under Capt. 
Van Der Hork was all the whites could 
depend upon to repel any attack in that 
quarter. The whole effective force for the 
defense of the entire frontier, from Pembina 
to the Iowa line, did not exceed 200 men. 
The annuity money was daily expected, and 
no troops except about one hundred men at 
Yellow Medicine, had been detailed, as usual, 
to attend the anticipated payment. Here 
was a glittering prize to be paraded before 
the minds of the excited savages. The 



HI8TOBT OF JIINNESoTA. 



751 



whites were weak ; they were engaged in a 
terrible war among themselves ; their atten- 
tion was now directed toward the great 
straggle in the South. At such a time, offer- 
ing so many chances for rapine and plunder, 
it would be easy to unite at least all the 
annuity Indians in one common movement. 
Little Crow knew full well that the Indians 
could easily be made to believe that now 
was a favorable time to make a grand attack 
upon the border settlements. 

A memorable council convened at Little 
Crow's village, near the lower agency, on 
Sunday night, August 3, previous to the 
attack on Fort Ridgely, and precisely two 
weeks before the massacres at Acton. Little 
Crow was at this council, and he was not 
wanting in ability to meet the greatness of 
the occasion. The proceedings of this council, 
of course, were secret. The council matured 
the details of the conspiracy. It appears 
that the, next day, August 4, a party of 
ninety-six Indians in war paint and fully 
ai'med, rode up to Fort Ridgely and re- 
quested permission to hold a dance and feast 
in the fort. They were allowed to hold the 
dance outside the fort, but Sergeant Jones, 
with singular foresight, mounted a howitzer 
charged with shell and canister-shot and 
guarded the entrance, having it pointed 
toward the Indians. After finishing the 
dance the red-skins left without making the 
attack, which had undoubtedly been medi- 
tated. Only thirty soldiers occupied the 
post at Fort Ridgely, and this was deemed 
ampl3' sufficient for times of peace. 

On the same day a great many Indians 
were encamped about the Upper Agency. 
They were afraid they would not get their 
annuity money, which had not arrived as 
yet. They had been -complaining bitterly 
of starvation, and on this day made an 
attack on the warehouse, carrying off a 
great deal of flour and other provisions. 
The matter, however, was finalh" adjusted, 
and the agent issued rations, promising to 
distribute their money as soon as it should 



arrive. None of the Indians, however, were 
punished for their attack on the supply 
house. 

"We now come to the massacre itself, the 
first blow of which fell upon the town of 
Acton, in Meeker County, about thirty-five 
miles northeast of the Lower Sioux Agency. 
On Sunday, August 17, 1862, six Sioux In- 
dians brutally murdered a man named Jones, 
with his wife and a daughter, and a man 
named Webster and Howard Baker. 

On the next day, Monday, the massacre 
at the Lower Agency occurred, where many 
were killed and fearfully mutilated. A few 
escaped and made their way to the eastern 
settlements. The Indians declared it to be 
their intention to kill or drive off all the 
whites to the east of the Mississippi River, 
and to spare none. All that day the work 
of plunder went on at the lower agency, 
and when the stores and dwellings had been 
emptied, they were fired. So complete was 
the surprise and so sudden and unexpected 
the terrible blow that not a single one of the 
host of savages was slain. In thirty min- 
utes from the time the first gun was fired 
not a white person was left alive. All 
were either weltering in their gore or had 
fled in fear and terror from that ])lace of 
death. It seems that hundreds of the In- 
dians had gathered here and then dispersed 
through the scattered settlements for their 
murderous work. 

On the same morning — of August IS — 
the massacre began on the north side of the 
Minnesota River, from Birch Coolie to 
Beaver Creek and beyond, and the region 
was strewn with the mutilated bodies of the 
dead and dN'ing men, women and children. 
So the terrible warfare continued, murder- 
ing and burning ; none wei'e allowed to es- 
cape who could possibly be discovered. The 
outbreak extended over a vast scope of conn- 
try, and the Indians numbered well up into 
the thousands. The entire length of the 
Minnesota and its tributaries, and out into 
Dakota, together with all the western part 



T52 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



of this State was the scene ever3'where of a 
carnival of blood. The counties affected 
have already been named. 

On the 18th of August the Indians at- 
tacked New Ulm, and after several battles 
and skirmishes were defeated. A few days 
later the whites evacuated the town and 
moved toward Mankato. 

On the 18th of August the battle at Lower 
Agency Ferry was fouglit. 

On the 20th, seeing they were foiled in 
their attack on New Ulm, they made a 
furious assault on Fort Ridgely. A number 
of whites were killed and wounded, but the 
Indians were defeated. The attack was re- 
newed on the 22d and another severe battle 
occurred, which was ended by night coming 
on. 

Numerous engagements were also fouglit 
in the nortiiern part of the State. 

Throughout all the Minnesota River coun- 
tiy many women and children were taken 
prisoners. In the meantime companies had 
been raised and were everywhere following 
up the Indians and guarding the various posts 
at which the settlers had gathered. These 
various companies had also picked up a great 
many wounded found on the prairies, and also 
buried the dead. On the 1st of September, 
Companjr A, Sixth Regiment Minnesota Vol- 
unteers, under Capt. H. P. Grant, fought 
the battle of Birch Coolie, a most terrible 
and bloody engagement. The noble little 
band of soldiers were relieved on September 
3, by an advance movement of Col. Sibley's 
forces at Fort Ridgeh'. The signal defeat 
of Little Crow at this battle, in effect, ended 
the efforts of the Indians in subduinof the 
whites on the border. After this battle all 
of the Indian forces under Little Crow be- 
gan a retreat up the valley of the Minnesota 
toward Yellow Medicine; and on Septem- 
ber 16, Col. Sibley, with his whole column, 
moved in pursuit of the fleeing foe, and on 
the 23d they came up with the Indians and 
defeated them in the battle of Wood Lake. 
This put an end to the hopes of Little Crow. 



On the same day as the battle of Wood Lake, 
the Wapeton band of Indians surrendered 
later and turned over to Col. Sibley all the 
captives — 107 whites and 162 half-breeds. 
This place has since been known as " Camp 
Release." 

After tlie disaster at Wood Lake, Little 
Crow retreated in the direction of Big Stone 
Lake, with those who remained with him. 
The chief was never captured, but is said to 
have been killed at Scattered Lake in 1863. 
Col. Sibley continued to pursue the deserting 
Indians, and demanded the surrender of all 
bands. By the 8th of October, 1862, prison- 
ers had come in and surrendered to the num- 
ber of 2,000. Scouting parties were sent 
over various parts of the West, and, until all 
danger of further depredations was past, 
soldiers were stationed at all of the frontier 
posts and settlements. 

A military commission was soon after 
inaugurated to try the parties charged with 
murder of white persons. On the 5th of 
November, 1862, 321 Indians and their allies 
were found guilty, and 303 were recom- 
mended for capital punishment, and the 
others for imprisonment. They were im- 
mediately removed under a guard of 1,500 
men to South Bend, on the Minnesota River, 
to await further orders from the govern- 
ment. The final decision of the President 
was rendered on the ITthof December, 1862, 
ordering that forty of these be hung on Fri- 
day, December 26. One of these died a 
short time before the day set, and one other, 
a half breed, had his sentence commuted to 
imprisonment for life just before the fatal 
da}'. As to the other thirty -eight the sen- 
tence was executed at Mankato on the day set. 

On the 16th of February, 1863, the trea- 
ties before that time existing between the 
United States and these '•annuity Indians" 
were abrogated and annulled, and all lands 
and rights of occupanc}', and all annuities 
and claims then existing in favor of said 
Indians, were declared forfeited. Thus ended 
the saddest chapter of Minnesota's history. 



CHAPTER IV. 



TEERITOEIAL AND STATE OFFICEES. 




TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. 



HE first governor of the Terri- 
tory of Minnesota was Alexander 
Ramsey, who served from Jnne 
1, IS-iii to May 15, 1S53. AYillis 
A. Gorman succeeded him, and 
held the office until April 23, 
1857. Samuel Medary was the 
next territorial governor, and 
held the office until the State 
officers were sworn in, May 24, 1858. 

The first secretary of the Territory was 
Charles K. Smith, who served from June 1, 
1849, until October 23, 1851, when Alexander 
"Wilkin qualified and held the office until 
May 15, 1853. Joseph Travis Rosser was 
the next, and served until April 28, 1857. 
Charles L. Chase, the last territorial sec- 
retary, qualified on the date last named and 
served until succeeded by the newly chosen 
secretary of state, May 21:, 1858. 

The office of territorial treasurer was first 
filled by Calvin A. Tuttle, who served from 
November 3, 18-49, to July 2, 1853. George 
W. Prescott came next and retained the 
position until February 24, 1854. Succeed- 
ing him Charles E. Leonard served until 
May 7, 1857, when George W. Armstrong 
was appointed and served until the State 
officers qualified. May 24, 1858. 

J. E. McKusick was the first territorial 
auditor, qualifying November 3, 1849, and 
serving until November 3(), 1852. A. Van 
Vorhees succeeded him and held the office 
until the 15th of May, 1853, when Socrates 
Nelson qualified. January 17, 1854, Julius 
Georgii took charge of the office and served 
until succeeded by the State auditor. May 
24, 1858. 



During the existence of the Territory of 
Minnesota, Lorenzo A. Babcock and then 
Lafayette Emmett were the only ones to 
hold the office of attorney general. Tlie 
first named served from June 1, 1849, until 
May 15, 1853, and the latter from 1853 until 
May 24, 1858. 

In territorial times there were no district 
judges, but the justices of the supreme court 
attended to all judicial matters now within 
the jurisdiction of the district bench. The 
first chief justice of the territorial supreme 
court was Aaron Goodrich, who served from 
June 1, 1849, to November 13, 1851, when 
Jerome Fuller was ajjpointed and presided 
until December 16, 1852. Henry Z. Hayner 
was next a]ipointed, but never presided at a 
term of court. William H. Welch was ap- 
pointed April 7, 1853, and served until May 
24, 1858. 

David Cooper and Bradley B. Meeker 
were the first associate justices, and served 
from June 1, 1849, until April 7, 1853. 
Their successors were Andrew G. Chatfield 
and Moses G. Sherburne, who retained the 
])ositions until Aiiril, 1857, and were fol- 
lowed by R. R. Nelson and Charles E. 
Flandrau, who served until the State officers 
qualified. 

The clerks of the territorial supreme court 
were : James K. Humphrey. Andrew J. Whit- 
ney and George W. Prescott, in the order 
named. The reporters were: William Hol- 
linshead, Isaac Atwater, John B. Brisbin, M. 
E. Ames and Harvej' Officer. 

Henry H. Sibley was the first delegate 
from the Territory to Congress, serving from 
January 15, 1849, to March 4, 1853. Henry 



753 



764 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



M. Rice was the second, serving from De- 
cember 5, 1853, to March 4, 1857, when he 
was succeeded by W. W. Kingsbury, who 
qualified December 7, 1857, and whose term 
expired May 11, 1858. 

STATE OFFICERS. 

The governors of the State of Minnesota, 
in their order have been as follows : Henry 
II. Sibley, from May 24, 1858, to January 2, 
1860 ; Alexander Ramsey, to July 10, 1863 ; 
Henry A. Swift, to January 11, 1864; 
Stephen Miller, during 186-1-5 ; William R. 
Marshall, during 1866-7-8-9 ; Horace Aus- 
tin, during 1870-1-2-3 ; Cushman K. Davis, 
during 187J-5 ; John S. Pillsbury, during 
1876-7-8-9-80-81 ; Lucius F. Hubbard, dur- 
ing 1882-3-4-5-6, and A. R. IMcGill, the 
present governor, who assumed the duties of 
the office January 5, 1887. 

The lieutenant governors since the organ- 
ization of the State have been as follows : 
William Holcomb, from May 24, 1858, to 
January 2, 1860; Ignatius Donnelly, to 
March 3, 1863 ; Henry A. Swift, to July 10, 
1863; Charles D. Sherwood, during 1864-6; 
Thomas H. Armstrong, during 1866-7-8-9 ; 
William H. Yale, during 1870-1-2-3; Al- 
l)honzo Barto, during 1874-5 ; James B. 
Wakefield, during 1876-7-8-9 ; C. A. Gill- 
man, during 1880-1-2-3-4-5-6, and A. E. 
Rice, who qualified January 4, 1887. 

The office of secretary of State has been 
filled successively' by the following gen- 
tlemen: Francis Baasen, from May 24, 1858, 
to January 2, 1860 ; James H. Baker, to 
November 17, 1862 ; David Blakely,to Janu- 
ary 8, 1866 ; Henry C. Rogers, during the 
years 1866-7-8-9 ; Hans Mattson, during 
1870-1 ; S. P. Jennison, during 1872-3-4-5 ; 
John S. Irgens, during 1876-7-S-9; Fred. 
Von Baumbach, during 1880-1-2-3-4-5-6, 
and Hans Mattson, during 1887-8. 

The State treasurers have been as follows : 
George W. Armstrong, from May 24, 1858 
to January 2, 1860 ; Charles Scheffer, during 
1860-1-2-3-4-5-6-7 ; Einil Munch, during 



1868-9-70-1 ; William Seeger, from January 
5, 1872, to February 7, 1873 ; Edwin W. Dyke, 
to January 7, 1876 ; William Pfaender, dur- 
ing 1876-7-8-9 ; Charles Kittelson, during 
1880-1-2-3-4-5-6, and Joseph Bobleter, the 
present treasurer, who was elected for 
1887-8. 

The auditors of State have been as fol- 
lows : W. F. Dunbar, from May 24, 1868, 
to Januaiy 1, 1861 ; Charles Mcllrath to 
January 13, 1873 ; O. P. Whitcomb, to Jan- 
uary 10, 1882, and W. W. Braden, who is 
the present incumbent of the office. 

The office of attorney general has been 
filled as follows : Charles H. Berry, served 
from Mav 24, 1858, to January 2, 1860 ; Gor- 
don E. Cole, served during 1860-1-2-3-4-5 ; 
William Colville, during 1866-7; F. R. E. 
Cornell, during 1868-9-70-1-2-3 ; George P. 
Wilson, during 1874-6-6-7-8-9 ; Charles M. 
Start, from January 10, 1880, to March 11, 
1881 ; W. J. Hahn, to January 5, 1887, and 
Moses E. Clapp, the present attorney general. 

The present board of railroad commission- 
ers is made up of Horace Austin, John L. 
Gibbs and George L. Becker. Those who 
have composed the board in the past were : 
A. J. Edgerton, W. R. Marshall, J. J. Ran- 
dall, J. H. Baker and S. S. Murdock. 

Edward D. Neill was the first superintend- 
ent of public instruction for Minnesota. He 
was appointed in March, 1860, and on the 
1st of July, 1861, was succeeded by B. F. 
Crary. From 1862 to 1867 the secretary of 
State was e.c-qffjci'o superintendent, but on 
April 1, 1867, M. H. Dunnell was appointed 
superintendent, and served until August, 
1870, when he was succeeded by H. B. Wil- 
son. April 3, 1875, David Burt was ap- 
pointed superintendent, and retained the 
office until succeeded by the present incum- 
bent, D. L. Kiehl, who was appointed Sep- 
tember 1, 1881. 

The office of insurance commissioner has 
been held in turn by Pennock Pusey, A. R. 
McGill and Charles Shandrew ; the last 
named gentleman having been appointed 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



755 



January 6, 1887, is the present commissioner. 

The commissioners of statistics have been 
as follows : J. A. Wheelock, Pennock Pusev, 
C. F. Solberg, J. B. Phillips, T. M. Metcalf, 
J. P. Jacobson, F. Sneedorff, Oscar Malmros, 
A. F. Nordin, Victor Hjortsberg and Her- 
man Stockenstrom. 

The following is a list of the gentlemen 
who have filled the office of adjutant-gen- 
eral : Alex. C. Jones, "W. H. Acker, John B. 
Sanborn, Oscar Malmros, John Peller, H. P. 
Van Cleve, M. D. Flower, H. A. Castle, H. 
P. Van Cleve, A. C. Hawley, C. M. McCar- 
thy and F. W. Seeley. 

.JUDICIARY. 

The first chief justice of the supreme court 
of the State was Lafayette Eramett, who 
was sworn in May 24, 1858, and served until 
January 10, 1865. Thomas Wilson suc- 
ceeded him and served until July 14, 1869, 
when he was succeeded by James Gilfillan. 
Christopher G. Riplej' was the next, holding 
the position from January Y, 1870, until 



April 7, 1874, when he was followed by S. 
J. R. McMillan, who served until March 10, 
1875. At that time James Gilfillan became 
chief justice, and is the present incumbent. 

The following statements will show the 
associate justices, together with the date of 
qualification of each : Charles E. Flandrau 
and Isaac Atwater served from May 24, 
1858, to July 6, 1864; S. J. R. McMillan 
from July 6, 1864, to April 7, 1874; Thomas 
Wilson from July 6, 1864, to January 10, 
1865 ; George B. Young from April 16, 
1874, to January 11, 1875 ; F. R. E. Cornell 
from January 11, 1875, to May 23, 1881, and 
Greenleaf Clark from March 14, 1881, to 
January 12, 1882. The present associate 
justices are John M. Berry, who first quali- 
fied January 10, 1865 ; D. A. Dickinson, 
since June 27, 1881; William Mitchell, since 
March 14, 1881, and C. E. Vanderburgh, 
since January 12, 1882. 

As to districts courts, the State is now 
divided into thirteen districts. 



CHAPTER V. 



REPRESENTATION IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, AND THE 

CREATION OF COUNTIES. 




ENATORS. The firstUnited States 
Senators from Minnesota were 
James Shields and Henry M. Rice, 
who took the oath of office May 
11, 1858. The former was suc- 
ceeded on March 4th, 1860, by 
Morton S. Wilkinson, who served 
the full term. Daniel S. Norton 
was sworn in to succeed Wilkin- 
son, March 4, 1867, and died 
while in office, July 14, 1870. O. 
P. Stearns was appointed, and served out the 
few weeks left of the term. William Win- 
dom came next, and retained the office until 
March 12, 1881, when he was succeeded by 
A. J. Edgerton, who resigned, however, in 
October of the same year, and William Win- 
dom was again chosen, serving until suc- 



ceeded by one of the present Senators, D. M 
Sabin, March 4, 188.3. 

Henry M. Rice, who was mentioned as a 
colleague of James Shields, served as United 
States Senator from May 11, 1858, to March 
4, 1863, when Alexander Ramsey succeeded 
him, and retained the position until Marcli 4, 
1875. S. J. R. McMillan became United 
States Senator on the day last named, and 
occupied the position for two full terms — 
twelve years — being succeeded March 4, 
1887, by Cushman K. Davis, one of the 
present Senators. 

REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. 

The territorial delegates have already been 
spoken of. When the State of Minnesota 
was organized, it was entitled to two represen- 
tatives in the House of Representatives of 



^ 



756 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



the United States. This state of affairs con- 
tinued until 1871, when a reapportionment 
was made, and the State was allowed three 
members of the House. At that time the 
State was divided into three congressional 
districts — No. 1, embracing the southern, 
No. 2 the central, and No. 3 the northern 
portion of the State. In 1881 another ap- 
portionment was made, by which the State 
secured live Representatives. This is the 
present status of the representation. The 
State is divided into five congressional dis- 
tricts, as follows : Tlie first district includes 
Houston, Fillmore, Mower, Freeborn, Steele, 
Dodge, Olmsted, Winona and "Wabasha 
counties ; the second district includes Fari- 
bault, Blue Earth, Waseca, Watonwan, Mar- 
tin, Cottonwood, Jackson, Murray, Nobles, 
Rock, Pipestone, Lincoln, Lj'^on, Redwood, 
Brown, Nicollet, Yellow Medicine, Lac qui 
Parle, Sibley and Le Sueur counties ; the 
third district embraces Goodhue, Rice, Swift, 
Dakota, Scott, Carver, McLeod, Meeker, 
Kandiyohi, Renville and Chippewa counties ; 
the fourth district includes Washington, 
Ramsey, Hennepin, Wright, Pine, Kanabec, 
Anoka, Chisago, Isanti and Sherburne coun- 
ties, and the fifth district includes Mille Lacs, 
Benton, Morrison, Stearns, Pope, Douglas, 
Stevens, Big Stone, Traverse, Grant, Todd, 
Crow Wing, Aitkin, Carlton, Wadena, Otter 
Tail, Wilkin, Cass, Becker, Clay, Polk, Bel- 
trami, Marshall, Hubbard, Kittson, Itasca. 
St. Louis, Lake and Cook counties. 

The following is a list of the various gen- 
tlemen who have represented Minnesota in 
the lower house of Congress, with the years 
during which they served. With one or two 
exceptions, the term of office began and 
closed March ith. 

W. W. Phelps, 1858-9 ; J. M. Cavenaugh, 
1858 ; William Windoin, 1860-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 ; 
Cyrus Aldrich, 1860-1-2; Ignatius Donnelly, 
1864-5-6-7-8; M. S. Wilkinson, 1869-70; E. 
M. Wilson, 1869-70 ; John T. Averiil, 1871-2- 
3-4 ; M. H. Dunnell, from 1871 to 1883 ; H. 

William S. King; 



B. Straight, 1S74-5-6-7-S : 



1876; J. H. Stewart, 1878; Henry Poehler, 
1879-80; H. B. Straight, 1881-2-3-4-5-6; W. 
D. Washburn, 1879-80-1-2-3-4 ; Milo White, 
188.3-4-5-6; J. B. Wakefield, 1883-4-5-6; 
Knute Nelson, 1883-4-5-6-7-8 ; J. B. GilHllan, 
1885-6; Thomas Wilson, 1887-8; John Lind, 
1887-8 ; John L. McDonald, 1887-8 ; Edmund 
Rice, 1887-8. 

OKEATION OF COUNTIES. 

In this connection we present a list of tlie 
counties of Minnesota, together with the 
date on which they were ci-eated by the terri- 
torial 01' State Legislatures, viz.: 



Aitkin, May 23, 1857, 
Anoka, May 33, 1857, 
Becker, March 18, 1858, 
Beltrami, F'bru'ry 28, 1866, 
Benton, October 27, 1849, 
Big Stone, F'br'ry 20, 1862, 
Blue Earth, March 5, 1853, 
Brown, February 20, 1855, 
Carlton, May 23, 1857, 
Carver, February 20, 1855, 
Cass, September 1, 1851, 
Chippewa, F'br'ry 20, 1862, 
Chisago, September 1, 1851, 
Clay, March 2, 1862, 
Cook, March 9, 1874, 
Cottonwood, May 23,1857, 
Crow Wing, May 23, 1857, 
Dakota, October 37, 1849, 
Dodge, February 20, 1855, 
Douglas, March 8, 1858, 
Faribault, F'br'ry 20, 1855, 
Fillmore, March 5, 1853, 
Freeborn, F'br'ry, 20, 1855, 
Goodhue, March 5, 1853, 
Grant, March 6, 1868, 
Hennepin, March 6, 1852, 
Houston, Feb'ry 23, 1854, 
Hubbard, Feb'y 26, 1883. 
Isanti, February 13, 18.57, 
Itasca. October 29, 1849, 
.lackson, May 23, 1857, 
Kanabec, March 13, 1858, 
Kandiyohi, March 20, 1858, 
Kittson, February 25, 1879, 
Lac qui Parle, Nov. 3, 1871, 
Lake, March 1, 1856, 
Le Sueur, March 5, 1853, 
Lincoln, March 6,1873, 
L3-on, November 2, 1868, 
McLeod, March 1, 1856, 



Marshall, February 25, 1879, 
Martin, May 23, 1857, 
Meeker, February 23. 1856, 
Mille Lacs, May 23, 1857, 
Morrison, Febr'ry 35, 18.58, 
Mower, February 30, 18.55, 
Murray, May 23, 1857, 
Nicollet, March 5, 1853, 
Nobles, May 23, 1857, 
Norman, Nov'mb'r29, 1881, 
Olmsted, February 20, 18.55, 
Otter Tail. March 18, 1858, 
Pine, March 31, 18.56, 
Pipestone, May 23, 1857, 
Polk, .July 20, 1858, 
Pope, February 20, 1862, 
Ramsey, October 27, 1849, 
Redwood, February 6, 1862, 
Renville, February 20, 1855, 
Rice, March 5, 1853, 
Rock, March 23, 1857, 
St. Louis, March 1, 1S56, 
Scott, March 5, 1858, 
Sherburne, Feb'y 25, 1856, 
Sibley, March 5, 1853, 
Stearns, February 20, 1855, 
Steele, February 30, 1855, 
Stevens, February 20, 1860, 
Swift, March 4, 1870, 
Todd, February 20, 1863, 
Travers, February 20, 1863, 
Wabasha, October 27, 1849, 
Wadena, .July 11, 1858, 
Waseca, February 27, 1857, 
Washington, Oct. 27, 1849, 
Watonwan, Nov. 6, 1860, 
Wilkin, March 6, 1868, 
Winona. February 23, 1849, 
Wright, February 20, 1855, 
Yellow Medicine, Novem- 
bers, 1871. 



«1> 



-iT" 



h 



r" 










t .ft 



1~ .o 









.-v^- 



- ■ A <^ '^• 

-V' o " " . <^^ 

. ^. - . , .<j . .-•■.■.-•,. ^ -yv 

, '>^^.'' ^'^'S ^*^^*-' /%' 



1 • • r, _^ 







•if -^ 









...0-- u 









a I j,0 ^. - V. 

, ^" ^^ ^ ., ' ^V ^^ * * ^ * Deacidtfied using the Bookkeeper process. 

' t^ ^ o *. ki *y ^^ Neutralizing Agent: Magnesium Oxide 

<^ % * * ' ' O «'**** *^ Treatment Date: 









Oxide 

1998 
IBBKKEEPER 

.SERVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LP. 
Tl-.iim^nn r^ik Hrn/p 



SEP 



f/i5R-\h' * a" ^>^ • «(k/^'ySr\jfr • ♦.^ ^^ ^ PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LP. 

'«> • » * /V ^. ' ••« -0 ^ "\\^ Cfanberrv Townsti^. PA 16066 

,"&• o""", <S>^ O^ .>■'•« ''^-^ (724)779.2111 









a. * f . y ' o.~ O . * o » o ' . O 'Vo. <x~ O . .0 



» • • - 



< 



'I * 



^ ,^^^o -^<*^:^ 0^"%. 



•/% --^^y ^%, %^w^ ■/'^ • 









ft- • ■ 












V »' '^ CV ^^ 



.\ 



<i^ w % -i^ '"' -^^ 4- 

A <A *'T<«' ,0*" ^3, 













-^ ' ATS' •,? sr'V 

'b 'o..' 'V <'. *rf.^- 0^ ^3. '»..* A 



% 



^'#^, .^ 



•o^ '» . . * A 



&» %,^^ /:#fe\ \/ /^m %,^ 



3' ^ " 






>^^. 



V < DOaBS BROS. 

■ V iwwwv aiHDiHa 

5. °o'' ST. AUGUSTINE -^ "^ 
*. • ..^, FLA. ^ 







■'^o' 









.V 



-ov^^ 



..^IBRARY OF CONGRESS 

i 



iillll 



llllil lllll 

005 378 094 5 



II III! Ill 



